Education
ITF wants the public to disregard alleged publication indicating it sponsors students abroad
The management of the Industrial Training Fund, (ITF) has indicated that it’s mandate does not cover sponsorship of students overseas for studies, rather it’s obligation is to send staff of the institutions of higher learning overseas to acquire skills in global best practices,
This was coming against the backdrop of publication by some Online media alleging that the fund sponsored some Nigerian students abroad.
In a statement made available to newsmen, in Abuja on Monday, by the public Affairs department of the Fund, it indicated that the publication allegedly made reference to the Nigeria Labour congress, (NLC) as having listed names of Nigerians and public civil servants and institutions for picketing as part of its two-day solidarity strike with members of the Academic Staff Union of Nigeria University, (ASUU).
The statement explained that the Labour congress in the publication falsely made the allusion that the agency sends students abroad on sponsorship which Is false.
The fund therefore asked the general public to disregard the purported publication as falsehood.
“Our initial reaction was to dismiss the purported publication credited to NLC, but that may further strengthen and serve as a basis for mischief makers who dwell in misleading the public about government policies to take as a foothold.
The statement further indicated the agency was established in 1971, and has operated consistently and painstakingly within the context of its enabling laws Decree 47 of 1971 as Amended in the 2011 ITF ACT
“The objective for which the Fund was established has been pursued vigorously and efficaciously in the four decades of its existence, the ITF has not only raised training consciousness in the economy, but has also helped in generating a crop of skilled indigenous manpower which has been manning and managing various sectors of the national economy.
“Over the years, pursuant to its statutory responsibility, the ITF has expanded its structures, developed training programmes, reviewed its strategies, operations and services in order to meet the expanding, and changing demands for skilled manpower in the economy.
“In line with the mandate the industrial training fund does not sponsor Nigeria student to overseas or offer scholarship to foreign students or any Nigeria schooling abroad.
“Rather it collaborates with other supervisory institutions like the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE and the Nigeria University Commission, NUC in the area of Technical and Skill acquisitions that are in line with the mandate and also send their staff overseas to acquire global best practices in skills
“As part of its responsibilities, the ITF provides Direct Training, Vocational and Apprentice Training, Research and Consultancy Service, Reimbursement of up to 50% Training contribution paid by employers of labour registered with it and administers the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES).
“It also provides human resource development information and training technology service to industry and commerce to enhance their manpower capacity and in-house training delivery effort.
“The main thrust of ITF programmes and services is to stimulate human performance, improve productivity, and induce value-added production in industry and commerce.
“Through its SIWES and Vocational and Apprentice Training Programmes, the Fund also builds capacity for graduates and youth self-employment, in the context of Small Scale Industrialization, in the economy.
“The Industrial Training Fund is a grade ‘A’ Parastatal operating under the aegis of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. It has been operating for 50 years as a specialist agency that promotes and encourages the acquisition of industrial experience
Continuing the Public Affair Department appealied to media institutions and practitioners whom he described as partners in progress not to allowe themselves to be used to mislead the public.
The statement urged media practitioners to verify their stories before going to the press,
“As an institution, the ITF like any other Government Agency is opened to scrutiny.
It indicated further that it is a statutory agency whose books are subject to verification and auditing by the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, OAGoF, and the Auditor General of the Federation, AGoF and budgetary scrutiny by the National Assembly.
The Managing Director and CEO of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Dr. Olasupo Olusi, has called for a comprehensive curriculum overhaul in Nigerian universities to better align with global trends and equip graduates with practical skills. Speaking at the 10th special convention of the Ekiti State University Alumni Association in Abuja, Dr. Olusi highlighted the urgent need to bridge the gap between theory and practical application in Nigerian higher education.
Dr. Olusi noted that while Nigeria is rich in human and natural resources, progress in technology and economic development remains slow due to universities’ focus on theoretical knowledge over hands-on training. He emphasized that significant investments in research and technical skill development are essential for positioning Nigeria as a competitive force in the global economy.
Echoing this sentiment, Ekiti State University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Ayodele, called on alumni to contribute to their alma mater, emphasizing that alumni support plays a critical role in building a strong academic foundation and fostering innovative research. The institution’s Chancellor, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, similarly urged alumni associations to prioritize initiatives that support university growth and student success.
Global President of the Ekiti State University Alumni Association, Dipo Bamisaye, stressed the need for Nigerian universities to continuously pursue excellence to remain competitive globally. Dr. Wale Jegede, Chairman of the institution’s Board of Trustees, commended the state governor for his dedication to quality education, particularly through the appointment of capable academics to guide the university’s progress.
The convention also honored notable alumni who have made significant contributions to the university’s development. Among those recognized were Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, former presidential aide Mr. Kingsley Kuku, Chancellor Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, Vice-Chancellor Professor Joseph Ayodele, and BOI MD Dr. Olasupo Olusi.
Reinforcing its commitment to the institution’s advancement, the Bank of Industry recently proposed a 2.5 billion Naira development fund to Ekiti State University, underscoring its dedication to driving growth in Nigeria’s educational sector.
The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have announced a nationwide indefinite strike beginning Monday.
This decision, coordinated by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of non-teaching university staff unions, is in protest of unpaid salaries withheld during a past strike involving the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) under the previous administration.
The JAC, in a circular addressed to branch chairmen of NASU and SSANU, stated that the strike, initially set for October 23, was postponed to October 27 to align with the Trade Group Council meeting held in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The document, signed by NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, cited delays from the Ministry of Finance in implementing President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive to release 50 percent of the outstanding four-month salaries.
The unions expressed frustration over the government’s perceived lack of commitment to resolve the issue, emphasizing their readiness to maintain the strike until all withheld salaries are released.
The JAC’s circular read: “We express our deepest appreciation for your steadfast commitment to the leadership and we affirm our determination to persist in this struggle until ultimate victory is secured.”
The decision highlights ongoing labor tensions in Nigeria’s education sector, as non-teaching staff urge the government to uphold previous agreements and fulfill financial obligations.
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
A professor of Political Science and former Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akoko Akungba, Prof. Nahzeem Olufemi Mimiko, has advocated reimagining as the only way to overcome challenges bedeviling Nigerian universities.
He said that reimagining was requisite to make the institutions to be competitive, and capable of driving wholesome national development
Prof. Mimiko made the remarks in a lecture at the 8th Convocation Lecture of Federal University Lokoja (FUL) on the the topic: “Reimaging Nigeria’s (University) Education For Wholesome National Development” held at Felele Campus, Lokoja.
He also identified poor funding and corruption in the system as some of the major obstacles to the nation’s university education system
Mimiko noted that corruption has assumed endemic proportion requiring reimaging, radical rethink to reposition Nigeria’s university education system away from the negative status quo.
The foremost Nigeria. Educational Administrator and the only Vice Chancellor delegate at the National Conference in Nigeria held in 2014 under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan decried what he called mediocre level of funding of universities in Nigeria.
According to him Nigeria remains one of the countries in the world that are yet to meet the UNESCO-recommended threshold for education funding, at 15 to 20 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (UNESCO, 2015)”
Prof. Mimiko noted that physical facilities for teaching and learning in the Nigeria’s tertiary education were inadequate, dilapidated, overstretched/overcrowded and improvised.
The Professor of Political Science and International Relations reiterated his stance that the dearth of basic learning resources could equally be attributed to corruption adding that majority of the universities in the country were grossly understaffed.
“I reference corruption here not just in the narrow sense as financial corruption, but also reflected in inanities like provincialism; and cultivation of crop of indolent staff.
“The only way to overcome challenges bedeviling Nigerian universities is the reimagining requisite for making these institutions to be competitive, and capable of driving wholesome national development”
Comparing university education with that of Polytechnic, Professor Mimiko recommended that university education in Nigeria should remain focused on the more conceptual dimension of the knowledge enterprise.
He said that technical education as being administered by polytechnics should be devoted to producing middle level manpower in technical competencies.
Prof. Mimiko also maintained that the nation must adopt learning and teaching in local languages for it to grow and develop adding that teaching in the local languages remain the panacea.
He stated that the nation’s present educational system where learning is done in foreign languages was counterproductive urging Nigeria to take a cue from China, India, Japan among others that teach in their local languages.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi said that the lecture is geared towards providing intellectual discuss and described the guest lecturer as erudite scholar who knows his onions.
“We are committed to celebrating our academic excellence as the topic of the lecture is very relevant to our future career and guidance
“The lecture no doubt will contribute immensely to Nigeria’s educational and economic landscape” Professor Olayemi Akinwumi said. (Ends)
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