Photo: ITF DG, Joseph Ari
Mr Joseph Ari, Director-General, Industrial Training Fund (ITF). has won the’Plateau Man of the Year 2022’ award.
Ari emerged winner following a virtual voting conducted by members of the general public including Plateau people both within and outside the State.
The prestigious Plateau Man of the Year Award is conducted annually to meticulously, objectively and impartially choose a deserving son or daughter of the state with a focus on those whose endeavors have largely impacted the state positively in the year under review.
It recognizes, honours and promotes outstanding individuals and institutions across both the public and private sectors, scoring excellence and outstanding performance in political, social and economic spheres of the state and the country at large.
The 2022 edition, which was the eighth in the series, was midwifed by a jury which worked assiduously between 21st to 31st of December, 2022 to produce the ultimate winner.
Consequently, this prestigious Award will be presented by the COA Media Group, organizers of the Plateau Man of the Year Awards at a ceremony slated for February 5th, 2023 at the Tamarald Event Center, Jos Plateau State.
Ari was born on December 21, 1960 and holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA); a Masters Degree in Law (LLM); a Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB)(Hons.).
The ITF boss also bags a Post Graduate Diploma in Management; a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism; and a Diploma in Broadcast Journalism, among others.
Ari’s working career spans a period of about 30years, which straddles different spheres of disciplines and human endeavour.
He started with the Plateau State Broadcasting Corporation as a News Reporter/Presenter before proceeding to the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Lagos, where he worked as a Newscaster.
Ari later moved over to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) where he worked as a News Editor/News Caster.
He also worked with the National Insurance Corporation of Nigeria,(NICON) where he was the Public Relations Manager, North.
The ITF DG was also the Director of Press and Public Affairs to two Governors of Plateau State.
He was appointed as the Sole Administrator and later General Manager of the Plateau Publishing Company, (PPC).
Ari was also appointed as the General Manager, Plateau Radio Television Corporation, (PRTVC).
It is on record that Ari is the only man to have headed both state media outfits at different times.
Ari was appointed as ITF Director General in September 2016 and was reappointed for a second term in office in 2021.
This was due to his accomplishing laudable landmarks ranging from initiatives like the expansion of existing skill acquisition programs leading to the training and empowerment of many Nigerians.
His ITF success story also includes the organization’s reviewed vision, which includes his plans to aggressively address service challenges by computerizing its operations and tackling infrastructural challenges.
The latest Plateau Man of the Year awardee has been able to forge collaborations and partnerships to synergize operations between international and national firms.
This was done in an effort to equip Nigerians with requisite skills and lift thousands out of poverty, among many others.
Ari is a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management, and member of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON.
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administration, FCA, Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR.and a member of NIPR’s Governing Council, where he recently concluded two terms.
The ITF Chief Executive Officer has attended various management and professional courses both within and outside the country.
Due to his inarguably stellar performance, he has been able to bag many awards of professional excellence from different agencies, bodies and organisations.
Ari is a devout Christian and Knight of the Catholic Church of the Order of St.Mulumba (KSM), where he has held positions as Chancellor and Grand Knight of the Order.
He has engaged in numerous works of charity, which he prefers doing so quietly and with little publicity.
Ari is happily married to Lady Victoria Ari and blessed with five sons.
His watch word is humility, while his motto is “This too shall pass away”’ drawn from a biblical verse.
