The Industrial Training Fund has announced the death of its former Director-General(D-G), Prof. Olugbemiro Akerejola, who passed away on Monday.

The Fund’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Thomas Ngor, announced Mr Akerejola’s death in a statement on Tuesday in Jos.

Mr Ngor said the late Akerejola served as ITF’s DG from 2000 to 2006, during which he introduced reforms that repositioned the Fund as a catalyst for Nigeria’s industrial and manpower development.

Mr Ngor noted that the late academic would also be remembered for pioneering the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into the agency’s operations.

According to him, the reform laid the foundation for ITF’s digital transformation.

Mr Ngor said,” During his tenure, staff welfare significantly improved, and several ITF training centres and area offices were modernised and rehabilitated.”

According to him, following his retirement from public service, the late Akerejola was installed as the Ubuoro Ajagajigi of Ogori land in Kogi State, where he was celebrated for his commitment to education, peace, and community development.

In a tribute, the current ITF DG, Dr Afiz Ogun, described the late Akerejola, as “a visionary leader, scholar, and reformer whose legacy would continue to inspire national development.’’

(NAN)