At Economic, Investment Summit, Kaduna Showcases Mineral Resources’ Potential

The Kaduna Economic and Investment Summit 2022 (KADINVEST7) kicked off yesterday with the participants attending a business expo.

The expo was opened by the state commissioner for business innovation and technology, Prof. Kabir Mato, who said as of 2020, there were 85 active mineral exploration licenses, 40 quarry licenses, 15 mining leases and three small-scale mining leases in the state.

Mato said some mineral deposits available in commercial quantities within the Kaduna included gemstones, gold, tantalite, columbite, manganese, lithium and nickel.

He said as the world marches on, Kaduna has stayed abreast of developmental trends to keep in tune with the times and ensure that the state continued to create jobs and grow the economy.

Mato said KADINVEST business expo was organised to provide an immersive experience for the world in the state’s technology, agricultural, infrastructural and solid mineral sectors.

According to the commissioner, the state government has continued to make massive investments in the education sector, including digitizing the operations of state-owned tertiary institutions, training of teachers and purchase of computers at the secondary school level.

“The Code for Africa Pilot Programme has equipped several secondary schools across the state with the necessary computing equipment and introduced coding as part of the educational curriculum for the senior secondary school students.

“In 2015, the government established Kadamall, the first homegrown ecommerce platform in the state. In doing this, Kaduna State is exploring the potential of its youthful and digitally connected population making it poised to become the ICT hub of Northern Nigeria”

Mato said, “Similarly, in 2017, the government established the Kaduna ICT Hub, which provides a working environment and adequate support for tech-preneurs and software developers in the state.

“The Click-on Kaduna programme was established in 2018, with support from the Rockefeller Foundation and the World Bank to promote innovation by providing digital skills training and creating a platform for employment.

“This year the Tech Village initiative became operational, focusing on artisanal tech skills, by training and equipping residents to assemble smartphones, computers, and other ICT equipment. Our Singularity programme to prepare young people for the future when Artificial Intelligence surpasses the understanding of mankind is also well underway”