FG Warns ITF Trainees Against Selling Empowerment Equipment
Mrs. Aisha Abubakar, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment[/caption]
The Federal Government, on Sunday, urged the trainees of the Industrial Training Fund programme to deviate from selling equipment given to them by the organisation.
The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Aisha Abubakar, made the call during the graduation ceremony of the first batch of the ‘Passion to profession’ training programme conducted by the ITF.
According to Mrs Abubakar, no amount of hardship should make them sell their equipment as doing so would defeat the purpose of the skills acquisition programme.
Advertisement
She also advised the trainees to rather approach the Bank of Industry through the ITF for loans at a single-digit interest rate to expand their businesses.
“To promote the policy, we need to focus on skill acquisition because the Small and Medium Enterprises are key to development.
“I know the ITF is a part of the Bank of Industry’s programme; so when you get into problems, don’t sell your equipment. When you run into problems, go back to the ITF to refer you to where you will get access to finance so that your dream is realised.
“This is not the time for us to be joking; we need to be serious and we need to sit up; we have over 70 million people that have nothing to do and we want you to be leaders in this particular segment.”
Advertisement
The minister also said in the next three months, the youths in the North-East would be trained in sewing, garment-making and image consulting.
According to the minister, the policy was aimed at revitalising the growth and development of the cotton, textile and garment industry.
