The director-general of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Joseph Ari has revealed that some trainees from the Fund have been able to assemble the country’s first indigenous GSM smartphone.
Ari confirmed this on Monday during a virtual meeting at the graduating ceremony of the ITF/Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) vocational skills training programme.
According to him, plans are under way to seek collaborations from investors to partner with the ITF to boost this innovation.
He explained that it all began in late 2019 after a visit by the Management of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to the Fund’s Model Skills Training Centre (MSTC), Abuja.
He said the delegation, which was impressed by the quality of equipment at the Centre, opened negotiations with the ITF for the empowerment of 255 unemployed youths with technical vocational skills.
He further said the 6–month programme was billed to commence in early 2020, it did not start until August 2020 as a result of the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic.
In order for the trainees to acquire professional certification, the MSTC implemented the programme in collaboration with three professional bodies namely; the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), Nigerian Association of Engineering Craftsmen – COREN and CISCO Academy, who equipped them with skills in Industrial Automation and Mechatronics, Instrumentation and Process Control, I.T Essentials/ Comp-TIA A+, Mobile Phone troubleshooting and repairs, Electrical Electronics Technology, Building Technology, Residential Air conditioning, Mechanical Services and, Catering and event Management.
He urged the beneficiaries to take full advantage of the opportunity provided by this training to not only put food on your family’s table but to also make your own meaningful contribution to the Nigerian economy.
Also, the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics of NCDMB, Patrick Obah said the training is designed to drive self-employment, youth redundancy , stimulate linkage in the oil and gas of the economy among others .
He urged the beneficiaries that if they are fertile enough, the instruments, teachings they got from the training will take them to places .
He further urged them not to sell their starter packs but rather make judicious use of it .
One of the beneficiaries of Automation and Mechatronics, Emem Sunday lauded the Federal Government for investing in the youth stating that the training will help them gain their foot on the ground and make them more self-reliant .
She also urged the FG to follow up in trainings so as to be made more sustainable with deep roots.
