He appealed to political parties to shun violence before, during and after the polls.
Ari spoke yesterday at the closing ceremony of the 2022 ITF Skills Intervention Programmes in Jos, Plateau State.
He said 285 youths were trained in solar power Installation, aluminum fabrication and tiling, as well as laying of interlocking blocks, wig cap making and integrated farming.
The DG said: “ITF has over the years developed numerous skills intervention programmes to promote entrepreneurship, employability, job and wealth creation to reduce youth restiveness and also promote diversification of the Nigerian economy in line with the Federal Government’s policy. The programmes were specifically designed to breed a new generation of entrepreneurs.
“This phase of the NISDP, WOSEP and AgSEP commenced in the last quarter of 2022 and trained several Nigerian youths. The training, which lasted three months, comprised theoretical, practical and entrepreneurial aspects. In all, thousands of Nigerians were equipped with skills in seven trades, namely plumbing and pipefitting, hair dressing, aluminum fabrication, solar power installation, tiling and laying of interlocking blocks, wig cap making and integrated farming.”
He explained: “In Plateau State, 285 youths were trained in solar power installation, aluminum fabrication and tiling, as well as laying of interlocking blocks, wig cap making and integrated farming.
“We believe that given the intensity and the very practical nature of the training, which was 80 per cent practical and 20 per cent theory, they were equipped with the necessary skills and attitudes for them to thrive as employees or as entrepreneurs. When tied with trades, which were chosen after careful and in-depth need analysis of their locales, we have no doubt they will thrive, as the trades they have learned would always be needed.”
He added: “Our commitment to skills acquisition is premised on the fact that it remains the most viable and sustainable solution to rising unemployment and poverty that have continued to defy the best efforts of governmental and non-governmental organisations. Indeed, there are countless reasons for us to worry as government and as institutions vested with the arduous task of equipping Nigerians with the life skills for employability and entrepreneurship.
“I, therefore, seize this opportunity to appeal to other state governments, Organised Private Sector (OPS), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), faith-based organisations, politicians and other stakeholders to collaborate with the ITF in our efforts to train Nigerians.”
The state governor, Simon Lalong, who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Sonni Tyoden, applauded ITF’s wizardry, whom he said, has become a dependable ally of government, both at the federal and state levels.
He charged the trainees to establish profitable outfits immediately.
