By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
The Director General/Chief Executive Officer of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi said Akwa Ibom Tech Community has made huge contributions to the growth of technology in Africa.
Abdullahi stated this at Akwa Ibom Tech Week 2023 with the theme: “Africa’s New Tech Destination” held at Sheraton by Four Points Hotel, Ikot Ekpene on Tuesday.
Represented by Mr Aristotle Onu, the NITDA Boss congratulated Ibom Innovation Network, the community of innovators, hubs, the Akwa Ibom state government, and all organisations and stakeholders that contributed to bringing the programme to reality.
“As of 2022, the total population of Africa amounted to over 1.4 billion. According to Statistics, the population of the continent will increase to around 2.5 billion by 2050.
“I trust that the seed you are sowing today will grow to positively impact your environment with innovative solutions to elevate the State and Nigeria in general into a higher echelon of sustainable economic development.
“Akwa Ibom Tech Community is on the rise. The time is ripe for Akwa Ibom to transform Nigeria into Africa’s new tech destination. Akwa Ibom Arise!” He said
Setting the tone for the event, the President, Ibom Innovation Network, Hanson Johnson stressed the need for investment in the tech ecosystem and urged government and other public spirited individuals to rally behind the entrepreneurs and innovators.
He called for enabling environment for tech advancement such as power and internet connectivity even while thanking Akwa Ibom state government for sustained peace which would help the state to achieve its dream of becoming Africa’s New Tech Destination.
His words “As we position to start reaping from our technology licenses and royalties from our patent and intellectual properties, I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the state government and the people for the steadfast support in our endeavors and for preserving peace in our land. We call upon them to continue this journey with us, investing in our dream to become Africa’s New Tech Destination.
“The peace that our state enjoys is a testament to our government’s unwavering dedication to ensuring a secure and conducive atmosphere for tech enthusiasts. The cost of living here is friendly and provides a unique advantage in building and growing tech startups.
He expressed optimism that they would start reaping from their technology licenses and royalties from the patent and intellectual properties in no distant time.
Speaking on, “Building A Global Career From Your Local communities” CEO Rapid River software, Mr Nick Mardon applauded Ibom Tech Community for the milestone so far reached and recommended Schooling, self study, internship mentorship, connection as approaches to widening the Tech development funnel.
He identified electricity as a big problem and therefore stressed the need for collaboration to handle it.
Speaking on branding and marketing Akwa Ibom State as an emerging Tech Destination in Africa, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Brand Management and Marketing, Mr Raphael Edem acknowledged that Tech hubs in the state is a world class things.
Edem said between 2014 when the first Hubs were launched and now, there has been a remarkable progress in the tech ecosystem of the State, as the seven hubs identified nine years ago currently have a staff strength of 132, training over 4,229 people, and have already successfully trained 15,701 people, thereby providing both direct jobs and highly sought after digital skills.
He encouraged Tech experts in the state to ensure a continuous dialogue and partnership between the state government and the tech community, assuring that the Governor appointed Assistants into core tech offices to assist in the development of the sector.
“In the ARISE Agenda, the Governor specifically states some of his strategies for the tech industry to include; Promoting home-grown digital hubs, Building capacity for ICT and media stakeholders Fa One of the easiest ways to make Akwa Ibom a tech destination is to keep people coming to the state for tech events.
He called for an expansion of the the ecosystem: “Right now, tech activities are majorly concentrated in Uyo, and it is rightly so for obvious reasons with Eket and Ikot Ekpene coming at a distance. I believe the entire State is very fertile for the revolution. But we can start the expansion process by building the ecosystem in the form of activities around institutions like the Maritime Academy in Oron, Akwa Ibom State University in Mkpat Enin and Oruk Anam, College of Education in Nsit Ibom, and so on.
“Turning Akwa Ibom to a tech destination in Africa is achievable. Individually, the hubs in the state have done remarkably well so far. But going forward, there will be a need for multidimensional collaborations. The state government is open to partnership and ready to provide as much support as it can”. He assured.
