By; FUNMI ADERINTO, Kaduna
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani on Monday, said his administration is committed to harnessing the power of digital technology to drive economic growth, improve governance and enhance the quality of life for all our citizens.
Governor Sani stated this when he declared open the third Artificial Intelligence and Robotic Summit taking place in Kaduna, adding that with the rapid advancement of technology in the field of artificial intelligence and robotics, “Kaduna State Government does not want its citizens to be left behind”.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, said that societies that neglect artificial intelligence and robotics will be left behind because “AI and robotics have become an unstoppable hurricane. It is safer to flow with it.
“This is the very reason why we find the theme of this Summit, ‘Harnessing AI and Robotics for National Prosperity’ as aptly-timed. The theme underscores our commitment to exploring the full potential of artificial intelligence and robotics to drive economic growth, enhance productivity, and improve the quality of life for our citizens,” she said.
She further said that the government of Kaduna State under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani has launched initiatives to foster innovation and technological advancement within the state, which includes the establishment of the Kaduna Technology City, a hub for tech-driven entrepreneurship and innovation, the Kaduna State Digital Strategy implementation, which outlines the state government’s vision for the development of ICT, e-governance, and IT infrastructure in all facets of the state.
She added that Kaduna State is also investing in fibre optics infrastructure, and data centres from projects and programmes, the smart city project aims to leverage cutting-edge technologies to enhance urban infrastructure and services.
“We are partnering with global tech giants such as Google and Huawei to advance our technological capabilities. Through the partnership with Google, for instance, we are providing AI skills specifically targeted at empowering 5,000 women in the state.
“We are proud to support the burgeoning youth-run private innovation hubs springing up all around the state. These hubs serve as vibrant ecosystems for creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurship, and we are committed to providing them with the necessary resources and support to thrive.
“In Kaduna, we are actively exploring the application of these technologies in sectors such as security, agriculture, healthcare, and manufacturing, to drive sustainable development and inclusive growth across our state,” she said.
Dr Balarabe appreciated the Nigeria Computer Society for the award it conferred on Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani as the Digital Governor of the Year during the 2023 Nigeria Information Technology Merit Award that was held in Lagos, describing the award as a recognition of the efforts of Kaduna State is making in information technology which also underscored the vital role of collaboration between government, industry, academia, and other professional organizations in driving technological innovation and development in our nation.
Also speaking, the President of Nigeria Computer Society, Dr Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu thanked Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State for hosting the summit noting the “immeasurable support received from our Governor”.
Aliyu who pointed out that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics Engineering represent pivotal pillars of the fourth industrial revolution, reshaping the way we live, work, and interact, said these transformative technologies offer unprecedented opportunities for breakthroughs in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, transportation, finance, and education.
He stressed that by harnessing AI and Robotics, the government can unlock new avenues for economic growth, enhance efficiency, and improve the quality of life for all citizens.
He explained that the government must prioritize the development of indigenous capabilities in AI and Robotics engineering. According to him, by nurturing local talents and fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government, “we can cultivate a vibrant ecosystem conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship in these critical domains”.
Aliyu further explained that the adoption of AI and Robotics holds immense potential to streamline government processes, enhance service delivery, and drive productivity and competitiveness across sectors.
” By embracing these technologies, we can accelerate our journey towards a prosperous and inclusive future,” he stressed.
