David Awoyode
The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has dismissed claims of any plan to move its headquarters from Jos, the Plateau State capital, to another state.
The clarification comes after Plateau State House of Assembly member, Hon. Prof. Theodore Bala Maiyaki (SAN), during Thursday’s plenary, raised a motion under a Matter of Urgent Public Importance warning against an alleged relocation.
Maiyaki urged both the state and federal governments to halt any such move, citing possible socio-economic and historical consequences for Plateau State.
Agency Describes Motion as Alarmist
Responding in a statement, the ITF’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Thomas Ngor, described the motion as unnecessarily alarmist and based on misinformation.
Ngor said while the agency appreciates the lawmaker’s intent to represent his constituency, the claims were unfounded and risked creating disaffection between the ITF and the people of Plateau State.
No Processes Initiated for Relocation
The ITF noted that relocating a federal agency involves several formal processes, none of which have been initiated by its management, governing council, or its supervising ministry—the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment.
The Fund stressed that it has not considered, discussed, or planned any move away from Jos.
Long-Standing Ties Since 1976
Ngor recalled that the ITF headquarters was moved from Lagos to Jos in 1976, and since then, the agency has maintained strong socio-economic and historical ties with Plateau State.
He reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to driving industrial and economic growth from its central base in Jos.
Commitment to Collaboration
The ITF assured the public of its readiness to work with the Plateau State Government and other stakeholders to address concerns and enhance cooperation.
“The public should disregard any relocation rumours as baseless and misleading,” Ngor emphasized.
