NITDA BOSS HAILS PRESIDENT BUHARI ON ICT ADVANCEMENT, COMMENDS AKWA IBOM GOVERNOR AT STARTUPS FRIDAY IN UYO
 |
| Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami DG/CEO NITDA |
At the recently organised 9th Edition of the Startup Friday, a programme aimed at ensuring the even spread of great opportunities to nigerians in the development of the sector, which was held in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom state, the DG/Chief Executive Officer of NITDA, in his speech at the event, while welcoming participants noted that, this happens to be the first of its kind in the southern region of Nigeria.
Acknowledging the great opportunities in the region, the NITDA CEO disclosed that the Agency deemed it necessary to bring its StartUP Friday event to Akwa Ibom state.
According to Dr. Pantami, "Section 6 of the NITDA Act empowers it to develop and regulate technology application and innovation in Nigeria. Thus, the "Office for ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIIE)" was created to drive the innovation mandate of the Agency".
In his speech at the event, the NITDA boss noted that the establishment of OIIE is to facilitate and encourage the Nigerian ICT startup ecosystem".
He enumerated the mandates for the establishment of OIIE to be as follows:
- To drive programs and policies that support innovation in ICT development
- Develop, establish, support and incentivize ICT innovation hubs, information technology parks and community enterprise hubs across Nigeria.
- Implement, monitor and revise guidelines for setting them up.
- Collaborate with private sector, development partners and MDAs at both federal and state levels on policies and programs that support ICT entrepreneurship and commercialization.
- Support the Federal and State MDAs in formulating and implementing ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship programs.
- Render advisory services in all ICT innovation.
Dr. Isa Pantami disclosed that, "ICT is the global driver of all aspects of the economy".
"We are aware of the harsh conditions in securing white collar jobs in the country so, it has become apparent for the government to focus more in building technology entrepreneurs", he added.
"A developed indigenous ICT ecosystem will help the country to diversify its economy from oil", the DG emphasized.
"Like I have always said, data is the new oil. With the two local content related Presidential Orders, we need to focus on locally produced innovations for our local market", he said.
Speaking further, "NITDA intends to encourage and support ICT entrepreneurship and promote it as an attractive career option for the theming youth", he stated.
At the StartUP Friday, Akwa-Ibom, the aim was to spark up the entire spirit of the youth. The startups will be taken through various topics such as the legal side of startups, digital marketing, startups business models, funding opportunities for startups, regional ecosystem integration, motivational speech and the business side of startups, he revealed.
Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami therefore, enjoined participants to pay keen attention to these topics as they are discussed because it plays a major role in the success of your startup.
"We are aware of the harsh conditions in securing white collar jobs in the country so, it has become apparent for the government to focus more in building technology entrepreneurs", he added.
"A developed indigenous ICT ecosystem will help the country to diversify its economy from oil", the DG emphasized.
"Like I have always said, data is the new oil. With the two local content related Presidential Orders, we need to focus on locally produced innovations for our local market", he said.
Speaking further, "NITDA intends to encourage and support ICT entrepreneurship and promote it as an attractive career option for the theming youth", he stated.
At the StartUP Friday, Akwa-Ibom, the aim was to spark up the entire spirit of the youth. The startups will be taken through various topics such as the legal side of startups, digital marketing, startups business models, funding opportunities for startups, regional ecosystem integration, motivational speech and the business side of startups, he revealed.
Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami therefore, enjoined participants to pay keen attention to these topics as they are discussed because it plays a major role in the success of your startup.
He noted that, NITDA, through its Office for ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIIE) support, comes in various forms based on international standards.
Accordingly, the startups pitching stand a chance to win the following:
- Co-working space – Quarter for all 10 startups
- Cash prize for the top three startups – N300,000; N200,000; N100,000.
- Strategic Partnerships
- 3-month mentorship.
- Branding and Promoting.
- Invitation to NITDA organized events as invited startup or exhibitor.
- Introduction to investors.
- Opportunity to solve government (local, state, federal) challenges using technology, he further revealed.
Addressing the participants at the event, Dr. Pantami stated that, "to encourage and boost the ICT ecosystem in Akwa-Ibom, NITDA is setting up a Digital Job Centre at the Government Secondary School, Afaha Eket, Eket LGA, Akwa - Ibom State.
He thanked the Executive Governor of Akwa - Ibom State, His Excellency, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel and the good people of Akwa - Ibom for their support towards the success of this event.
No comments:
Drop Comment