No fewer than 100 indigenes of Ogun State who were trained and empowered with start-up packs through the Industrial Training Fund (ITF)-National Economic Recovery Growth Programme (NERGP) have been urged to make good use of the opportunity to improve their economic status, impact lives and contribute to the growth of the nation’s economy.

The ITF-NERGP is a training and empowerment programme implemented by the Federal Ministry of National Budget and Economic Planning in collaboration  with the ITF, which has trained 4,000 Nigerian youths on different vocations including, crop production, welding and metal fabrication, electrical installation and maintenance, carpentry (furniture making) and tilling.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola made the appeal during the closing ceremony and distribution of start-up packs to the beneficiaries of the  programme held at the ITF, Abeokuta Area Office in Abeokuta, the State capital.

Aikulola said the skills acquired during the programme were not just trades but empowerment which would enable the beneficiaries contribute meaningfully to the economy, reduce unemployment and curb idleness, adding that, trainings like the ITF-NERGP training serve as panacea for socio-economic challenges faced by the youths.

He urged the participants not to sell the startup packs that have been given to them to start their businesses stating that, effective utilisation of the equipment can result in exponential income in the long run.

“I am particularly proud of the 100 beneficiaries from Ogun State for your dedication and commitment throughout this training programme. As you step out today, you do so not just  with a certificate but with the confidence and skills to build a sustainable livelihood and by extension, contribute to the development of our great State and nation,” Aikulola stated.

The Permanent Secretary who recounted his past experience of working as a barber, photographer and Printer during  his motivational speech, urged the participants not to feel inferior to others adding that the acquired skills if well harnessed could help make them wealthy.

Aikulola who reiterated the Ogun State government’s commitment to supporting and creating enabling environment for skills acquisition and entrepreneurship lauded the ITF and the Federal Ministry of National Budget and Planning for organising the programme.

In her address, the Area Manager, ITF Abeokuta Area Office, Mrs. Bolanle Ajibade said the ITF-NERGP is a three-month programme which exposes participants to two months of practical training and one month of internship advising the 100 Ogun State indigenes who benefitted from the programme to use the knowledge gained to contribute positively to the development of the country’s economy.

Ajibade while giving account of different programmes that have been organised at the Abeokuta Office since its creation in 1990 disclosed that, another window of opportunity called the Skill-Up Programme for Artisans (SUPA) is currently open for artisans adding that those interested can register for the programme via www.supa.itf.gov.ng.

The Area Manager noted that the SUPA which is an initiative of the ITF in collaboration with the Federal Government is aimed at upskilling, licensing, certifying and empowering ten million artisans across the country.

Speaking in separate interviews, a sexagenarian, Mr. Olufemi Idowu-Onasile and a Creative designer, Mrs. Ruqqayat Dairo, who both benefited from the programme said the training has been a source of empowerment through which they have been earning income adding that, Nigerians irrespective of age or academic qualifications need to leverage different ITF programmes to contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).