The South East Zonal headquarters of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has been opened in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

While opening the Office, the Commissioner for Trade and Investment in the state, Barr. Rex Anunobi, said he was glad that the office was sited in Imo, adding that the centre would boost the state’s economy and that the Quality Assurance in the state would enhance the exportation of quality produce from the state.

Anunobi said artisans in the state would benefit greatly from ITF, noting that the Skill Up Imo project would be boosted.

He assured that the state government would assist ITF to meet up with the vision of the federal government on skills acquisition, commerce and industry.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Industry, Mines and Solid Minerals, Rt.Hon. Ernest Ibejiako, described the siting of the office in Imo as wonderful and one of the greatest things to have ever happened in the state, giving kudos to Governor Hope Uzodimma for the effort.

He said it would engineer a lot of things towards boosting the state’s economy, especially the state government’s Skill Up programme.

He also commended ITF for having a good relationship with the state and hoped that their presence would improve the economy of the state as artisans would acquire the necessary skills which would aid industry in the state.

Earlier, the South East Zonal Director of ITF, Chioma Ogbonna, thanked Governor Hope Uzodimma and the ITF Director-General, Oluwatoyin Ogun, for making the office opening possible and assured that the manpower development, industry and commerce would be achieved. She also gave her assurance that those in the informal sector would be recognized, formalized, licensed and certified. (Blueprint)