Inuwa Promises Government's Support to Ilorin Innovation Hub, Others
Kashifu Inuwa, the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has reiterated that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, 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 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 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, Temi Kolawole, the Managing Director of the Ilorin Innovation Hub, 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.
Cloud Tag: What's trending
Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.
Dan Iya Of Ilorin EndSARS Abdulmumin Yinka Ajia Ibraheem Abdullateef Monsurat Omotosho Col. Taiwo Aro Yahaya Oniye Musa Abdullahi John Kehinde Salako The Herald George Innih Asa Ahmed Saka Abimbola Isau Abubakar Abdulraheem Bayer Nigeria Limited Balikis Jawondo Share/Tsaragi April 11 Bature Bello Abdulmumini AbdulRazaq Ahmed Mohammed Rifun Ilorin Curfew Aminu Ado Bayero Ministry Of Women Affairs And Social Development Agbarere Ibrahim Agboola Gambari Monthly Sanitation LAK Jimoh Okanlawon Musa Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory Yusuf Mubarak Ndama Al-hassan Naira Redesign Abdulkadir Remi Hawawu Young Progressives Party Saheed Akinwumi Segun Olawoyin Yaru John Olobayo Halimat Yusuf Ahmad Belgore Mubarak Oladosu IYA ALFA NLA School Of Nursing Okin Biscuit Gafaru Olayiwola Olorisade Shero Bilikisu Oniyangi Ophthalmological Society Of Nigeria Saliu Alamoyo Iliasu Guber Aspirant Makama Paul Olawoore Sarah Jubril Gbadeyan Gbadura Yomi JAAC Amoyo Federal Road Maintenance Agency Kisira Garba Idris Ajia Sam Onile Nigeria Foundation For Artificial Intelligence Haliru Yahaya Osi Raliat Elelu-Habeeb Abdulazeez Arowona Muyideen Ajani Bello Abdulwahab Ololele Ayodele Olaosebikan Raji AbdulRasaq Bureau Of Lands Apata Ajele Secondary School Association Of Kwara State Online Media Practitioners KWACOBPA