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ITF, others plan strategy to empower unskilled Population in Nigeria 

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***ITF should leverage on 3m euro grant -MAN

The Industrial Training Fund ( ITF ) and other stakeholders in the labour sector, on Tuesday moved to make the best out of the nations huge rising population through skilled workforce.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria ( MAN), urged the ITF to leverage on 3m euro grant in the pipeline to produce more skilled workers in Nigeria 

The advocacy by ITF and other critical stakeholders in the labour sector to  have  productivity – driven skilled population came to the fore during public hearing session on a bill seeking for amendment of Industrial Training Fund Act , organised by the Senate Committee on Industries .

The bill sponsored by ITF and given legislative acceleration by Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali seeking to widen the scope of  operations of the Training agency with regards to the provision of skilled training  in management for technical and entrepreneurial development in the public and private sectors of the economy.
In his presentation at the public hearing, the Director General of ITF , Dr Joseph Ari said : “Amendments being sought through this bill ,  will serve to expand the scope of our operations and enhance our activities.

“In addition, the amendments are especially imperative now that unemployment in Nigeria has been estimated by the National Bureau of Statistics that Unemployment and Underemployment Report of Q4 2020, to be over 23 million Nigerians despite several surveys indicating the existence of vacancies in several sectors of the national economy that could not be filled because of the lack of requisite skills, which undercores the need for all hands to be on deck to ensure that as many Nigerians as possible are equiped with relevant and contemporary skills. 

“The amendments are equally pertinent when you consider the recently released 2022 World Population Prospects by the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs that projected that Nigeria’s population will hit 216 million by November 2022, and 375 million by 2050. 

“Therefore, if necessary measures are not put into place by empowering this youth bulge with skills for employability and entrepreneurship, the socio-economic problems that we are currently contending with in the country will conceivably escalate. 

“An  amendment of the Act will enable the Fund to expand its infrastructure to be able to accommodate as many Nigerians as possible that are willing to acquire skills for the national growth and development of the country”.

Supporting the proposed legislation , the President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria ( MAN) , Engineer Mansur Ahmed  represented by Abuja Laision Officer , Adeyemi Folorunsho , said ITF should further be empowered through passage of the proposed bill .

According to him , in a recent conference on skills and vocational trainings across the countries in Africa , ITF was proposed to be the flagship of such trainings which are to be facilitated by 3m Euro grants .

Other stakeholders like the Trade Union Congress ( TUC ) , Nigeria Union of Teachers ( NUT) , Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC) , Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission ( NIPC) , Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises ( NASME) etc , in their separate presentations , threw their weights behind the   amendment bill proposal .

In his closing remarks , the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Adetokunbo Abiru ( APC Lagos East ) , said the amendments being sought in the ITF Act, were very necessary towards making Nigeria move with global trends as far as globally competitive skills trainings are concerned .

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Empowerment

Again, Obi doles out N60m to educational institutions in Anambra

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***Canvasses for health, education as keys to poverty eradication

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 General elections Peter Obi, has again donated N60 million to two educational institutions in Anambra State.
The effort is to strengthen health and education sectors he considers essential for lifting people out of poverty.
During a visit on Monday, Obi presented N50 million to Peter University in Achina and later donated N10 million to the College of Nursing Sciences in Adazi Nnukwu.
Just on Thursday last week Obi had donated N60m to support local institutions; N50m to the University on the Niger (UNINIGER) in Umunya, the university’s Iyi-Enu campus, to aid its expansion and infrastructure goals.
He also visited the School of Nursing at Iyienu Mission Hospital in Ogidi, where he contributed an additional N10 million to support healthcare training.
Writing on his X-handle on Monday, Obi expressed that the contributions align with his longstanding commitment to fostering a productive Nigeria. “Health and education are the cornerstones of development,” Obi remarked.
“A nation cannot progress without a healthy and educated workforce.” He highlighted the importance of prioritizing the future of Nigeria’s youth, given the country’s predominantly young population.

The donations are part of Obi’s broader vision of building a “New Nigeria” by investing in critical sectors that address poverty and improve citizens’ quality of life. He emphasized that such investments are crucial for creating a nation where citizens can contribute productively to economic growth and development.

Obi also extended gratitude to the proprietors, management, staff, and students of both institutions, commending their dedication to the fields of health and education.
His message of hope and commitment concluded with a reaffirmation of his belief that a “New and Productive Nigeria is Possible.”

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Empowerment

Reps member Launches ICT Hub in Ibadan to Promote Digital Literacy

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Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Digital, Information Communication Technology, and Cybersecurity, Hon. Adedeji Dhikrullahi Olajide, has inaugurated a cutting-edge ICT Hub at Oba Abass Aleshinloye Secondary School in Eleyele, Ibadan. This development, in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), aims to boost digital literacy and broaden educational opportunities for students in the area.

The ICT Hub, equipped with modern computers, high-speed internet, and essential software, reflects Hon. Olajide’s vision of a tech-driven Nigeria. Tolu Mustapha, Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, highlighted that the facility aligns with the Oyo State Government’s commitment to improving technological access and educational quality, especially within the Ibadan North West/Ibadan South West Federal Constituency.

“This ICT Hub isn’t just about infrastructure; it’s a doorway to new possibilities,” Mustapha stated. “It’s designed to equip our youths with the skills they need to excel in a tech-centric future, fostering a self-sustaining and innovative socio-economic environment.”

The hub will primarily serve students at Oba Abass Aleshinloye Secondary School but is open to neighboring schools, encouraging a collaborative learning environment.
Workshops and training sessions are also planned to maximize the hub’s benefits for students and teachers alike.

By establishing the ICT Hub, Hon. Olajide fulfills a campaign promise and contributes to Nigeria’s journey toward a technology-driven economy. This project, he emphasized, is part of an effort to prepare Nigerian youth for success in a global digital landscape.

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Empowerment

Businessman empowers 50 youths, women with strategic business training in Gombe

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By Friday Idachaba

A Businessman, Muhammad Sani Abdullahi (Majin Dukku), has sponsored 50 youths and women in strategic business training and empowerment on Agricultural value chain in Livestock, in Dukku Local Government of Gombe State.

Addressing newsmen at the end of the three-day programme which was held at Mohammad Inuwa Yahaya Hall, Dukku, Muhammad Sani Abdullahi said that the beneficiaries were carefully selected from Dukku town and its environs.

He said that the three-day programme was organized by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) Zaria in collaboration with AMRAH Farms Nigeria Limited.

The traditional title holder of Majin-Dukku expressed satisfaction with the success of the training programme and charged the participants to put the knowledge acquired into proper use in order to have stable and viable sources of livelihood.

In his remarks, the Community representative, Hon. Abdulkadir Abubakar Alkali, urged the participants to take advantage of the training in finding their way into businesses capable of improving their standard of living.

Hon. Abdulkadir also urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items of empowerment given them as he assured that more empowerment programmes were on the way for the good Dukku people.

Earlier in his address, Dr Ayinla John, representative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and NAPRI, commended the facilitator for his support and developmental efforts in the community.

He urged the beneficiaries to use the opportunity accorded them to improve their livelihood and wellbeing.

In his remarks, Alhamdullilah Bello A. Tahir, Director, AMRAH Farms Nig. Ltd, represented by Mallam Suberu Ahmed Tijani, urged the beneficiaries to make use of the training programme to develop themselves and become self-reliant.

He expressed optimism that the skills acquired would improve their standard of living as he appealed to the beneficiaries to grow day-old chicks rather than sell them off for quick money as some individuals do.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Class Governor, Bappah Ladan and his Deputy Umukulsum Abubakar thanked the Facilitator and expressed their gratitude.

They attested to the fact that the training exposed them to new ways of enhancing their businesses and appealed to other well-meaning individuals in the society to emulate the Majin-Dukku to initiate laudable projects that make direct impact on the society.

At the end of the training programme, each participant was given a Carton of day old chicks (50), 50 kg feeds, drinkers, feeders, drugs, medication and cash support. (Ends)

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