NITDA Commends Ilorin Innovation Hub

Date: 2023-02-08

The Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, has reiterated that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, remains committed to providing all the needed support to enable the growth and development of a thriving and globally competitive tech and innovation ecosystem.

Inuwa who was represented by Babajide Ajayi, the Director of Zonal Offices Directorate (ZOD) of the agency, said this at the recently concluded e-Government Hackathon organised by Ilorin Innovation Hub in Collaboration with the Kwara State Government to discover solutions to real-life problems that can transform governance and public sector operations with a focus on leveraging new technologies to bridge the existing gaps in governance.

According to Inuwa, the enactment of the Nigerian Startup Act (NSA), which was the outcome of the collaborative effort of the ecosystem and the Presidency, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, under the leadership of the Honourable Minister, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), is a testament that Nigeria is on the right track to harnessing the potentials of digital economy.

Inuwa argued that the NSA is aimed at providing; a legal and institutional framework for the development of startups; providing an enabling environment for establishment and operation of startups; development and growth of tech-related talents; and positioning Nigeria's startup ecosystem as the leading digital technology center in Africa.

He also called on the Kwara State Government and all State Governments across the country to key into the implementation of the NSA to provide opportunities and resources that will empower more indigenous tech innovators to churn out solutions for local problems. Adding that this will provide a platform of support to young innovators to develop and commercialise their innovative ideas and be able to compete favourably in the global innovation space.

Inuwa also appreciated His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq for facilitating the partnership between the Ilorin Innovation Hub and the State Government by making the e-Government Hackathon become a reality towards unveiling innovative solutions by Nigerian youths, and by serving as one of the sustainable pillars to position Nigeria as a leading entrepreneurial hub in Africa.

The DG further commended the organisers for the initiatives which focused on; power and renewable energy; hardware (Internet of Things (IoT), drones, mobile devices); connectivity; web & mobile applications; and security & privacy.

He said, “the Hackathon will serve as a veritable platform for our talented youths to showcase their innovative ideas and solutions which the government is prepared to adopt for improved efficiency in public service delivery and increased productivity in government administration.”

“It is heartwarming to know that this hackathon is geared to support and promote indigenous talents to come up with relevant innovative solutions to our local problems, improve the way we do things, and engender prosperity in our environment. So, this is a challenge for the participants to come up with clearly defined ideas and develop solutions with an emphasis on the five specific areas of the hackathon.”

He stated that, “NITDA is proud to be associated with this laudable initiative. Your effort to drive the adoption of technology across the State is a demonstration of your administration's commitment to transforming Kwara State into an economically viable and self-sustainable State where digital skills, youth empowerment, innovation, and technology thrive.”

Inuwa added that “Suffice it to say that your programmes are in alignment with several initiatives and programmes of the federal government that are being implemented by NITDA through its Special Purpose Vehicles, the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), and the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), to develop and grow Nigeria's digital innovation ecosystem.”

He further assured that NITDA remains committed to the partnership with the Kwara State government for the continued support and promotion of talented and exceptional indigenous innovators towards helping them grow and continue developing innovative solutions that will boost the economic fortune of the state, and Nigeria's digital economy sector in general.

He also charged the participants to impact their environment with innovative solutions that will change the narrative of national economic development for the better.

On his part, the Managing Director of the Ilorin Innovation Hub, Temi Kolawole, stated that the programme was organised to address key issues in government and revolutionise the way government operates in Nigeria, and how it can become more efficient through the adoption of technology and digital transformation.

He added that the contestants were grouped into 50 teams, each focusing on a specific area of government businesses and tackling identifiable problems, including letter and memo tracking systems, data capturing systems, and medical record systems for hospitals.

Prominent among the participants and mentors were the Country Director, UK Nigeria Tech Hub, Justina Oha; House of Reps candidate (APC) Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency Hon. Mukhtar Shagaya; representative of the Director General National Information Technology and Development Agency (NITDA) and Director Zonal offices of the agency Babajide Ajayi; Vice President IHS Towers Kazeem Oladepo; Memunat Monsuma; CEO Plat Technologies Limited Engr Taofik Abdulkareem Babaita; and some government officials, including the State Commissioner for Communications Hon. Sadiq Buhari;

Others included the Executive Chairman, Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) Folashade Omoniyi; Managing Director, Ilorin Innovation Hub, Temi Kolawole; Executive Chairman, State Geographic Information System (Kw-GIS), Abdulmutalib Shittu; GMD Harmony Holdings, Abdulmajeed Abdullahi; and Acting General Manager, state Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) Abdulquowiy Olododo, among others.

 


Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Ilorin Emirate Stakeholders Forum     Alimi Abdulrazaq     Oba Of Jebba     Pakata Patriots     Afin Descendants Union Of Odo-Owa     Gaa Olobi     Folajimi Aleshinloye     Dan-Kazeem     Trade Lenda SME Fair     Abdulrauf Yusuf     Obayomi Azeez     MMWG     Economic And Financial Crimes Commission     PharmAccess Foundation     Monkey Pox     Binta Abubakar-Mora     Abdul Jimoh Mohammed     Idris Garuba     Abdulwahab Oba     Tunde Mukaila Mustapha     Toyin Saraki     SSUCOEN     Iyeru Grammar School     Yomi Adeboye     Olatomiwa Williams     MAI Akande     Alliance For Democracy     Leke Ogungbe     Olayinka Olaogun     AbdulFatai Adeniyi Dan-Kazeem     Kawu     Yahaya Dumoye     Muhammad-Mustapha Suleiman     Salihu Ajia     Ahmad Uthman     Habeeb Saidu     Suleiman Idris     Maja     Baruten     Doyin Group     Bayo Ajia     Marufat Oladosu     Millennium Development Goals     UNILORIN Alumni Association     Yahaya Seriki Gambari     Alapado     Aliyu Sabi     IQRA College     Medview Airlines     Arinola Lawal     Oye Tinuoye     Osinbajo     Kwara State Coalition Of Business And Professional Associations     Shuaib Boni Aliyu     Saadu Yusuf     Saka Asiat Ayinke     Alfa Modibo Belgore     NFAI     Muslim Stakeholders Of Kwara State     TVC Female National Debate     Abdulrasheed Na\'Allah     Ike Ekweremadu     Centre For Digital Economy     Federal Road Maintenance Agency     Rebecca Bake     Paul Olawoore     Bello Bature     Zaratu Umar     Aliyu Kora-Sabi     Jamila Bio Ibrahim     LABTOP     Kannike     Kwara Central     Mashood Abdulrafiu Agboola     Kale Ayo     Bahago     Overland    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Nupe     NNPP     Bond     Lasiele Alabi Yahaya     Valsolar Consultoria     SAPZ Project     Durosinlohun Atiku     Simon Sayomi     Muritala Awodun     Benin Republic     Irepodun     Oba Of Jebba     International Aviation College     Bursary     Chief Of Staff     Women For Change And Development Initiative     Modupe Oluwole     Waheed Ibrahim     Ilorin Like-Minds     Oko Erin     11th Galadima     Revenue Court     Seun Bolaji     Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency     Otunba Taiwo Joseph     Jamiu Oyawoye     Eghe Igbinehin     Yusuf A. Usman     Olatunji Bamgbola     Basit Olatunji     Oluwatoyin Lukman     Plat Technologies     Sola Saraki University     Gbemi Saraki     Abdulrazaq Sanni     Yusuf Amuda Aluko     Kola Bukoye     Elerinjare-Ibobo     National Party Of Nigeria     Abdulrazak Shehu Akorede     Mahe Abdulkadir     Noah Yusuf     Hamidu Olowo     Okin Biscuit     Gani Saadu     Ayedun     Arinola Lawal     Adijat Adebiyi     M.Y. Abdulrahaman     Muhammad Fawaz Abubakar     Dogara     Oluwarotimi Boluwatife Adenike     Age AbdulKareem     Mutawali Of Ilorin     Rihanat Ajia     Aremu Odolaye     Ijagbo     Yahaya Abdulkareem Babaita     Olabanji Orilonishe     Micheal Imoudu     Veterinary Teaching Hospital     Bello Oyedepo     Road Transport Employers Association Of Nigeria     Solomon Edoja     Abdul-Rahoof Bello     Aisha Ahman Pategi     Abdulraheem Olesin     Forgo Battery     Adesoye     Bolaji Nagode     Eghe Igbinehi     Abdulrahman Abdulrazak     Wahab Abayawo     Bankole Omishore     Balogin Alanamu     Universal Basic Education Commission     Lithium