Government tasks skills acquisition beneficiaries on entrepreneurship

Tue, May 4, 2021
By editor
3 MIN READ

General News

THE Anambra State Government has enjoined skills acquisition beneficiaries to redouble their drive for excellence by sustaining the spirit of entrepreneurship to emerge as human capitals in their areas of specialisation.

Gov. Willie Obiano, who was speaking during the presentation of 105 starter packs to beneficiaries of the 2020 National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP) of the Industrial Training Fund, ITF, in Awka, urged them to put the items to good use to better their lives and those of the society, cautioning that the government would not condone any form of sharp practices or selling of the equipment to satisfy other needs.

Represented by the Commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy, Prof. Theresa Obiekezie, the governor observed that the government partnership with relevant agencies for youth empowerment has started yielding positive results.

“ITF has done so well to train you to be responsible citizens of this state and the country.

“The training is to make you busy and as entrepreneurs, so you can impact on the lives of other youths.

“We’re not leaving you behind, but we’ll continue to ensure that you put all these to use because some people may have the tendency to sell off these startup packs.

“We’re equipping you to be responsible for Umu Anambra so these killings, rioting, protests will stop. During the EndSARS protest, the youths said they want to be empowered. Today, ITF is helping the state to empower 105 of you,’’ he concluded.

Earlier, the Director-General, ITF, Joseph Ari, said that a total of 3,530 out of 200,000 Nigerians had been equipped with skills for employability and entrepreneurship in the state since the inception of the programme.

Ari, who was represented by a Deputy Director, Finance, Stephen Ivarave, said that the beneficiaries underwent a 3-6 months training in Fashion Design and Garment Making; Cosmetology and Information and Communications Technology, ICT.

He said the agency’s commitment to technical skills in spite of the challenging environment was complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic but for the importance, it placed on skills acquisition as a sustainable solution to rising unemployment and poverty.

“Our commitment is also based on our beliefs that until most Nigerians are equipped with competitive technical skills, we will, as nations continue to fight a losing battle against the blight of poverty and unemployment and their attendant consequences.

“Such obvious consequences have manifested across the country in the form of kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and a host of other criminal acts and harmful social vices that are being perpetrated by Nigerians,’’ he said.

The Area Manager, ITF Awka Area office, Nancy Ekong, said that the trainees were coached and mentored by six competent master trainers stationed at the various centres throughout the duration of the programme.

She expressed optimism on the immediate commencement of business by the graduates after being empowered with quality skills training and start-up packs.

Ekong said that it would further facilitate access to a “start-up’’ loan by the Bank of Industry, BOI, and provision of entrepreneurship development training from Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency.

– MAY 04, 2021 @ 09:49 GM

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