By Noah Peters
An Non Governmental Organization, Ladi Memorial Foundation (LMF), Chateko Vocational Institute (CVI) in collaboration with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Skill Up Artisan (SUPA), have trained 163 youths towards bridging the skilled manpower gap in Nigeria.
Speaking at the Certificates, presentation ceremony in Lokoja, the ITF SUPA Coordinator in Kogi State, Mr Moses Ochala, said the program aimed to empower Nigeria youths with skills and certifications, initiated by President Bola Tinubu in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda.
He explained that the ITF SUPA is aims to bridge the skilled manpower gap in Nigeria by providing training, tools, and resources to artisans.
Ochala maintained that the programme It seeks to enhance the skills of both existing and aspiring artisans, equip them with international certifications, and connect them to the real economy.
He commended President Tinubu’s administration for introducing the programme, which he described as one of the best initiatives aimed at enhancing the welfare and well-being of citizens.
Earlier , the Executive Director of Ladi Memorial Foundation LMF Chateko Vocational Institute, Mrs. Rosemary Ojochenemi Osikoya, said the organisation collaborated with the Industrial Training Fund to empower individuals with skills acquisition in garment making fashion design and embroidery.
Osikoya noted that the certificate presentation was part of activities towards the third edition of the National Sewing Championship 2025 (NSC-25) sensitization, an Ladi Memorial Foundation ongoing project supported by UNESCO, Federal Ministry of Education, and other stakeholders.
She added that between July and September 2024, a total of 163 persons were trained in various garment making, embroidery and fashion design trade courses, making them eligible for National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) trade certification.
Osikoya urged governments, well-meaning individuals, and organizations to support skills training and development enable individuals to match results with government policies.
She called on the beneficiaries and Nigerian youth to take personal responsibility for their development, investing in themselves to become self-reliant and employers of labor.
Speaking, the Executive Director, Agency for Adult and Non Formal Education (ANFE) in Kogi, Mr Tsebeje Jonathan, said the training programme was keyed to the development of the state and the country at large.
In a remark ,State Coordinator of NABTEB, Mrs Pauline Ajibili, said the programme was geared towards reducing the suffering of young generation and take them out from the streets to become artisans to improve their livelihood.
Some of the beneficiaries: Treasure Isiaka and Agatha Ojodale, commended the ITF and Ladi Memorial Foundation for the opportunity given to them, saying it would go a long way to improving their well-being and livelihoods.
