By Adewale Banjo
The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has disowned an advertisement of a training programme circulating on the internet.
It described the online advertisement with its logo and name as fake and the programme, being advertised and entitled: “Boys Industrial Training Initiative 2024 Undergraduate Technical Internship,” as fraudulent.
ITF said despite the website’s professional appearance, use of its logo and name, no legitimate internship or scholarship programme exists under its initiative.
It said the organisation behind the posting was falsely promoting opportunities that do not exist.
ITF, in a statement by its Director General, Oluwatoyin Ogun, said while the site provided detailed information, including deadlines and application procedures, and the use of ITF logo and name, it was entirely fabricated and misleading with no association to the Industrial Training Fund or any recognized company or educational institution.
It said: “The Industrial Training Fund, as an organisation, runs programmes and services that includes research and development, direct training, curriculum design and development, student industrial work experience schemes, technical and vocational skills development, ICT training and service; MSME development and support services, and special intervention programmes.
“ITF is currently engaged in the training of Nigerians aimed at registering, up-skilling, licensing and empowering 10 million Nigerian artisans with skills and certification in 20 different trades under the skill up Artisan programme that will enable them work both locally and internationally.
“The people behind the fake advertisement are inviting unsuspecting individuals to apply for a non-existing programme.
“ITF, hereby, dissociates itself from such online advertorials. The public and individuals are urged to avoid applying for this programme as there are no real opportunities or benefits offered.
“It is important to verify the legitimacy of any internship or scholarship before submitting personal information to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.”
