Plateau, ITF partner on job creation

The Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong,said his state will continue to support and partner with the Federal Government through the Industrial Training Fund, (ITF) in order to create jobs and entrepreneurs.

The governor, who spoke at the recently concluded Abuja International Trade Fair, according to a statement said Plateau state as the home of solid minerals in Nigeria will soon establish a solid minerals processing plant in the state,saying training and capacity building of Plateau indigenes will be needed to actualize the objective.

Lalong who was represented by his Deputy,Prof. Sonni Tyoden, during a visit to ITF stand, noted that the state will seek greater ties and collaboration with the ITF in the quest to industrialize the state and create jobs for Plateau people through the acquisition and deployment of vocational and technical skills.

Harping on training and development as a prerequisite for economic growth and industrialization, the governor listed some of the proposed minerals abundant in the state as kaolin, gemstone and lime, adding that the government would complete its mineral museum and international lapidary complex to serve as training and laboratory centres.

According to him, establishing mineral processing plants in all localities they exists in the state will help to eliminate bottlenecks associated in processing them abroad, while creating jobs and economic opportunities for the people at the same time.
Private entrepreneurs will be supported by the state to ensure that agricultural products were produced in commercial quantities for the benefit of the state, the governor explained,noting it was in this light that manpower development was imperative.

On his part,the Director General of Abuja Chamber of Commerce,Industry Mines and Agriculture, (ABUCCIMA), Joe Idowu Wenegieme, said the chamber was pleased with the participation of ITF in the fair.
Wenegieme said claims of low turnout were out of place, saying tickets for visitors to the fair was contracted out this year and the company handling the process has not complained that people are not coming.
Speaking on the development, the Director General/Chief Executive of ITF, Dr. Mrs. Juliet Chukkas said ITF’s participation at the Abuja International Trade Fair was one of the ways the agency was taking the message of skills acquisition to every parts of the country.

Represented by the Head of Public Affairs Unit of the agency, Mrs. Ifeoma Ihezue,the ITF director general noted the Fund has initiated many strategies that will eliminate youth unemployment and the challenges of inadequate skills from the country.
According to her,ITF has also created a jobs portal that will connect entrepreneurs and employers with youths,while new trade areas have been introduced to expand access and opportunities for technical and vocational skills acquisition.

The ITF DG said the forthcoming National Skills Summit being planned by the agency will change the face of skills acquisition in the country,as the summit which is expected to be declared open by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja will involve all stakeholders within the skills development ecosystem inside and outside Nigeria, and will for the first time in the history of the country, identify, discuss key issues and proffer lasting solutionsto the challenges that are inhibiting skills development in Nigeria.