By:Eteng Kebe,CRS-MOI Officer reporting from Deputy Governor’s Office
The State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade had reiterated that Government has taken the bull by the horn to initiate several skills acquisition programs that are aimed at reducing youth restiveness and unemployment.
Senator Ayade stated this at the closing ceremony of the 2019 National Industrial Skill Development Program held at the Industrial Training Fund,Calabar Area Office, Calabar.
The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Professor Ivara Esu,said one of such programs is the G- Money initiative which is aimed at the empowerment of Cross Riverians through job creation with Agriculture as the major focus,pointing out that, the Youth Empowerment and Social Support Operations, YESSO,is a State led program founded by a Credit from the World Bank to provide social safety nets to the Youth from age 18- 35 years in various jobs like; office cleaning, grass cutting, traffic control, among others.
Senator Ayade thanked the Federal. Government for not only equipping the. Graduates with skills, but will be presented with Start-up Packs and Certificates to encourage them set up their own small businesses and become eventual employers of labour.
The Governor expressed optimism that, the caliber of ITF Graduates will form the available skilled workforce to man the State Government Industrial Park being built by the present administration in all the Senatorial Zones of the State.
Earlier in an address, the Director General/ Chief Executive of ITF, Mr Joseph Ari, represented by the Director, Revenue, Inspectorate and Compliance Department, Mr Stephen Ojigho expressed appreciation for the support from the State. Government which he emphasizied,has motivated the Fund to veer into new levels of performance, leading to the empowerment of thousands of Cross Riverians with skills for employability and entrepreneurship.
The Director General intimated that, since inception, the National Industrial Skills Development Program has trained and equipped over two hundred thousand (200,000) Nigerians Nation wide and three thousand,four hundred and twenty(3,420) with skills for employability and entrepreneurship on the State.
He also explained that, in the State,three hundred (300)Youths were trained in Welding and Fabrication Production and Laying of interlocking tiles,furniture making and Autogelle and Beauty Care.
The Area Manager, Industrial Training Fund,Calabar Area Office, Mrs Evelyn Irabor remarked that, ITF looked forward to partner the State in many rewarding programs,explaining that, I TF will continue to contribute its quota to indigenous man power training and development to further promote Commerce and Industry of Cross River State.
A representative of the Trainees,Miss Margaret Animpuye expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the opportunity given them to acquire more knowledge,adding that the training has given them the tools and understanding to be self employed and to better their lots and contribute their quota to the State Economy.
High point of the event were the presentation of Start-up Packs and Certificates to Trainees by the. Deputy Governor and inspection of products produced by the Graduand.
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