The federal government said on Saturday that the northern part of the country ranked highest in the country’s poverty and literacy index.
The Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Miriam Yalwaji Katagun, who stated this in Katsina while launching the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Area Office in the state, noted however, that the Federal Government was working hard to change the narrative.
She said the Federal Government has been putting in place initiatives and policies targeted at not only improving the lots of the poverty-stricken citizens but also addressing various other social problems bedevilling the country and the north particularly.
According to her, this was keeping with the commitment made by President Muhammadu Buhari to Nigerians in his address marking June 12, that his administration would strive to take 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.
Katagun commended ITF for expanding its infrastructure so that more people can access its services.
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She noted that illiteracy, poverty and unemployment in the north and indeed in Nigeria can be reduced by creating the necessary infrastructure for the capacity building of Nigerians.
The Minister said: “True to his promise, the president has been churning out initiatives that are directly targeted at not only improving the lot of the poverty-stricken in the country but also address other numerous social problems bedevilling the country, particularly the north.
“According to statistics, there are about 13-14 million out of school children in the north today. The region also ranks highest in terms of poverty and illiteracy levels. It is in this regard that I commend the ITF for its efforts to expand its existing infrastructure in order for more Nigerians to access its services.”
Also speaking at the event, the Director General of ITF, Mr. Joseph N. Ari, disclosed that the new ITF area office was expected to boost the output of the staff of the area office and make the activities of the fund more visible and impactful in Katsina State.
