BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – Director General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Sir Joseph Ari, has said that the credit for the peaceful conduct of the 2019 general elections must go to President Muhammadu Buhari for the show of statesmanship, leadership and maturity, which were critical to the elections.
Ari, who stated this at the graduating ceremony of the National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP), in Abuja, said the peaceful conduct of the recent elections, was as a result of the way Nigerians conducted themselves over the course of the elections, adding that they defied doomsday prophesies and predictions of anarchy and chaos.
He said that as Nigerian successfully navigated the elections without much acrimony, is proof that we are not only one indivisible people with singularity of purpose but also indicates that democracy in Nigeria has come to stay.
According to him; “Elections in democracies are generally viewed as referendums on the performance of the incumbents. That Nigerians voted massively for Mr. President is an affirmation of his outstanding performance. I pray God to grant Mr. President and his team the strength and the wisdom to take Nigeria to the next level.”
Ari also commended the Vice-President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, who he stressed must also share the credit of the overwhelming victory.
He said; “For us in the Industrial Training Fund, the Vice-President has been a key motivation and inspiration as he has been instrumental in all that we achieved since the inauguration of the Administration. For instance, as Chairman of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Council, he was critical to the inclusion of the ITF on the Board of the Council.
“This decision was a boost to us in the ITF as we initiated policies that energized the MSMEs sector leading to the award of Star Partner in MSMEs development in Nigeria by the Federal Government.
“In addition, the Vice-President’s commitment and dedication to tackling unemployment and reducing poverty has spurred us to higher levels of achievement leading to several initiatives including the National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP), which graduation we are witnessing today.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that the Vice President has been a dependable ally. Indeed, theirs with Mr. President is a case of complete and true partnership of credible statesmen.”
