FG pledges to support ICT hubs, innovators

The Minister of Communications Technology, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, has expressed the federal governments’ readiness to support Information Communications Technology (ICT) hubs and innovators in the industry to further boost the economy.
The minister who said this yesterday during ICT start up ecosystem stakeholders meeting organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) held at Sandralia hotel, Jabi, explained that the meeting was to discuss about innovation and entrepreneurship.
He said the government has no choice but to support this course.
According to him, it is not enough for government to provide a peaceful environment, its a duty of government that people are engaged to contribute to national development.
“Whether we like it or not since government cannot provide jobs for everybody then government must provide enabling environment.
He expressed worry that, despite the oil boom, Nigeria still remains a third world country and yet some countries dont even have oil or land for agriculture in their country. “How did they do it? It is through ICT development. Therefore Nigeria must give every support and collaborations to innovations and ICT hub so that they can also contribute to national development.
He pointed out that, “in this years budget we have introduced so many initiative to encourage innovations.
He assures the participants that his doors are open for private discussions with any of the stakeholders so as to speed up the growth of the country.
In his welcome address, NITDA DG, Ali Isa Pantami, explained that the meeting has been organized in order to bring stakeholders together to deliver on its mandate.
He explained that OIIE is in no way competing with any ICT hub in Nigeria rather, it is there to support the industry.
The essence of Office of ICT Innovation Enterpreneur (OIIE) is to focus on improving the ICT ecosystem.
He said that NITDA has been empowered to regulate Information Technology in Nigeria and ensure the deployment of IT usage all over the country.

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