By Israel Joel
Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Sir Joseph Ari has commended the  Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Adeniyi Adebayo, and his counterpart, Ambassador Mariam Katagum, for providing qualitative leadership that has unleashed innovativeness and creativity of agencies and parastatals under the ministry.

The DG, who spoke after the formal presentation of the ITF Mobile Android GSM smartphone to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, credited the achievement to the inspirational leadership and support of the Ministers.

The DG said that the ITF mobile phone, which was comparable in quality to any other brand of Android Phone in the world, was assembled by the ITF Model Skills Training Centre (MSTC), Abuja, as part of the implementation of the vision of the incumbent Management of the ITF with particular emphasis on research and development.

“The ITF Mobile Phone was produced with 100 percent locally sourced material. And for me, this breakthrough is proof that given the enabling environment and opportunities, Nigerians will unleash their creative potentials”, Ari said, adding that “in terms of quality and performance, our phone is comparable or even superior to most Android phones currently in our markets”.

This was contained in a statement signed by  Suleyol Chagu, the Director, Public Affairs Department, and made available to newsmen in Jos.

TRANSCRIPT OF BUHARI’S INTERVIEW

He further disclosed that plans were afoot to commence mass production of the phone preparatory for introduction into the market.

“Plans are at an advanced stage to ensure commencement of the mass production of the smartphone, making it available and affordable, which in turn will expand the GSM phone market and create more jobs in the process.

“We are presently putting processes in place with the relevant regulatory agencies towards quality assurance, legal framework, and intellectual rights amongst others. Our vision is to create a mass production hub that will churn out products that will be available to all Nigerians”, he said.

While commending the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for its policies of encouragement of innovation and creativity and for its initiatives that gave birth to this breakthrough, he appealed for increased funding for the ITF to ensure full actualization of its mandate.