The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, on Thursday, October 30, 2025, paid a courtesy visit to the Gombe State Government as part of his continuous efforts to promote the Fund’s flagship initiative, the Skill-Up Artisans Program (SUPA).
Represented by the Zonal Director of the North-East Zonal Office, Mr. Stephen Ivarave, the ITF DG emphasized the importance of skill development for artisans in Nigeria. He called on the Gombe State Government to collaborate with the Industrial Training Fund in order to train and certify local artisans, giving them opportunities to compete both locally and internationally.
Mr. Ivarave stated, “Currently, the Skill-Up Artisans Program is being implemented across 61 centers in the State. We want to ensure that artisans in Gombe have access to proper training, modern tools, and global-standard skills.”
Responding on behalf of the Gombe State Government, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, commended the Industrial Training Fund for choosing Gombe as the host for its North-East Zonal Office. He assured that the State Government is ready to partner with the ITF to empower citizens through skill acquisition programs that will boost employment and productivity.
“The Gombe State Government appreciates this partnership initiative and is fully prepared to work with the ITF in training our youths and artisans for improved productivity,” Prof. Njodi said.
During the visit, the SSG presented the Gombe State 2021–2030 Development Plan and the 3rd Year Scorecard and Progress Report (May 29, 2019 – May 29, 2022) of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya to the ITF delegation.
The Zonal Director was accompanied by the Zonal Training Coordinator, Mallam Inuwa Samaila, the Gombe Area Manager, Abdulrahman Atta, and other top management staff.