Kwara govt pledges support for tech start-ups

Kwara state government has reiterated its commitment to supporting tech startups and entrepreneurs in building a robust tech ecosystem.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of the three-day seventh edition of the Kwarabuild Tech conference in Ilorin on Saturday, the state commissioner for Business, Innovation, and Technology, Mrs. Damilola Yusuf-Adelodun, said that the state government has invested in youth development and technological advancement.

The commissioner said that the conference provided startups with an opportunity to network and grow their businesses.

Mrs. Yusuf-Adelodun also reiterated her ministry’s commitment to engaging with tech experts, professionals, and entrepreneurs to address key areas such as funding, policy formulation, and innovative programmes.

The Managing Director of the Ilorin Innovation Hub, Temi Kolawole, lauded Kwarabuild for organizing what he described as one of the largest youth-focused tech gatherings in the state.

“The Kwara government consistently supports individuals and groups committed to tackling youth challenges. We are focused on empowering our youth on a massive scale,” Kolawole said.

Panel discussions featured experts such as Engineer Taofik Abdulkareem of Plat Technology Limited, Temi Kolawole of the Ilorin Innovation Hub, and Yahyah Olushola Gegele of Premium Blue Economy Innovation and Investment Limited, where they enlightened participants on exploring opportunities in technology, agriculture, and commerce.

In his opening remarks, Kwarabuild Co-Founder Ibraheem Zulkifli revealed that approximately 1,500 youths from the North Central region and beyond participated in the two-day pre-conference workshop, saying that the training was aimed at fostering technological self-reliance and economic empowerment.

“Our goal is to uncover hidden talents among these participants and equip them with the tools to achieve self-dependence,” Zulkifli stated.

He called for greater collaboration with the state government and key stakeholders to provide easier access to resources for youths eager to escape poverty and unemployment.

Zulkifli added that participants were trained in identifying and solving various technological challenges during the workshop held on Thursday and Friday.

He also commended the state government for creating an enabling environment for youth development, saying  “Kwara State has never experienced this level of support before. We are truly grateful,”.

Another Co-Founder of Kwarabuild, Kamaldeen Kehinde, highlighted the significance of the event, which he said spared Kwarans the inconvenience of traveling to Lagos or neighboring states for similar programs.

Adeola Olaleye, an Abuja-based Co-Founder, noted, “Our platform provides an avenue for youths to discover and harness their talents.”

Participants, including Salahudeen AbdulRauf and Kulepa Boluwatife, expressed gratitude for the program, stating that it significantly improved their knowledge of technology and computer software development.

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