Akeredolu reiterates commitment to make Ondo ICT hub

GOVERNOR Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Monday reiterated the determination of his administration to invest in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in order to develop and empower youths.

Akeredolu made this commitment in Akure during the commissioning of Akure Tech-Hub at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).

He said that ICT had vast benefits, and recalled that many IT giants had risen from Ondo State to make great impacts in the ICT world.

“Since we came on board, one of the cardinal points of our administration’s transformational agenda is to make Ondo State a technology and innovation destination of choice for Africa and the world at large.

“Many of the students at FUTA, both former and present, are making great impacts in ICT. All these are indications that we have the potential and technology here with us that needed to be developed.

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“Besides, the Tech-Hub FUTA is the first of its kind in the southwestern part of Nigeria and it is my belief that it will spur a revolution in technology products and services delivery with its core focus to give the general community a facility where they can bring their ideas to life,” he said.

The governor also explained that the initiative was a tripartite project of the state government, FUTA, and Akure Tech-Up (an ICT-based Non-Governmental Organisation).

“The state government provided the initial investment and funding; FUTA provided space for the construction of the Hub and pool of talent to support the Hub, while Tech-Up provided technical and human resources required to set up the Hub,” he said.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, FUTA, Prof. Adesola Fiwape, said the commissioning of the tech-hub marked another milestone in the history of the institution, particularly in the drive for technological advancement.

He explained that the hub was set up to create an avenue for the promotion of technological innovation and for the exchange of ideas for business start-up, and expansion for youths.

“Technology is constantly reinforcing regional trends in business, investment, opportunities and modernisation, which in turn accelerates globalization.

“This tech-hub is a great collaboration with the government, on one hand, providing funding, the University providing the enabling environment, and the NGO providing the technical know-how.

“This is unique as it brings together the public, private and education sector to work for the development of the youth in the critical ICT sector, thereby providing the platform for expanding learning, teaching and idea innovation.

“I believe this collaboration is the beginning of great things to come to Akure as the city might become the next tech destination of choice,” he said.

Earlier, Prof. Adeola Fiwape, Vice Chancellor, FUTA, said the commission of the tech hub marked another milestone in the history of the institution particularly in the drive for technological advancement.

He explained that the hub was set up to create an avenue for the promotion of the technological innovation and for the exchange of ideas for business start-up, and expansion for youths.

“Technology is constantly reinforcing regional trends in business, investment, opportunities and modernisation, which in turn accelerates globalization.

“This is unique as it brings together the public, private and education sector to work for the development of the youth in the critical ICT sector, thereby providing the platform for expanding learning, teaching and idea innovation.

“I believe this collaboration is the beginning of great things to come to Akure as the city might become the next tech destination of choice,” he said.

Also, Prince Rotimi Ibidapo, the donor of the Tech-Hub building, stressed the importance of ICT in poverty alleviation and in accelerating the economic development.

The renowned philanthropist hinted that the Tech-Hub would among others, connect universities, colleges, secondary and primary schools as well as connect scientific and research centres with ICTs.

He added that the newly commissioned Tech-Hub would connect all local and central government departments and establish Websites, e-mail addresses and to ensure that more than half the world’s inhabitants had access to ICT within their reach.

Ibidapo further said that the hub would also encourage the development of content and put in place, technical condition in order to facilitate the presence and use of all world languages on the internet.