Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has stressed the need for Nigeria to look beyond crude oil to embracing more investment in information technology and artificial intelligence as pathways to the future.
In order to create lasting prosperity, Governor Makinde also charged Nigerian leaders to look after the people by investing more in education and entrepreneurship for the growth of the country in accordance with global direction.
Governor Makinde stated this while speaking at the commissioning and handover of the IT Community Centre donated to the Oladipo Alayande School of Science, Oke-Bola, Ibadan by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
He commended the first lady who is also the national chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), as well as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) for building the Centre in Oyo State.
“My message is quite simple; I have heard people talk about how Nigeria does not have any business with poverty and I have asked them why. Their answers were always that we have natural resources; we have oil and solid minerals.
“I have always pointed out that natural resources alone cannot bring economic prosperity; there must be entrepreneurship and education.
“There must also be opportunities to grow based on where the world is going. About 50 years ago, if you had coal, you would be considered a rich country, because of the industrial revolution at that time,” Makinde noted.
He added that although the nation has oil currently, but in some years to come, people will also forget oil. “For us to create the kind of prosperity that will last, we must definitely look after our people; Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence are the roads to the future and I am glad that under the Renewed Hope Initiative, you have brought this to Oyo State.”
Also speaking, wife of the Oyo State governor, Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde, appreciated Mrs Tinubu for donating the IT Centre named after former Minister of Industry, Mrs Onikepo Akande.
She said, “Today, I am happy that the first phase of this project is done. Your Excellency, Ma, thank you for giving this to the people of Oyo State under the RHI Programme.
“I want to thank the first lady for naming the Centre after our Mother, Onikepo Akande. The Centre is donated by NITDA in partnership with the Renewed Hope Initiative, for the people of Oyo State.”
In her speech, Senator Tinubu noted that the Centre would give women and girls the knowledge that would help them with skills needed to empower communities, break traditional barriers and give them access to new opportunities.
She noted that while the one commissioned is the third, about 10 others are ongoing across the country. “This Centre we are commissioning today is the third one. By the grace of God, the fourth, which is located in Benue State, would be ready for commissioning soon.
“Our programme is not political. We do the work because we are all Nigerians. And like I do say, ‘positions would come and go,’ but they will ask you what you have done for your people. So, all our programmes are people-centred. We are not biased and we are not favouring one party over the other.”
She added that 10 additional digital economy centres are ongoing and would be ready for commissioning soon, adding that the knowledge of ICT serves as a significant tool for empowering communities, especially women.
“By equipping themselves with ICT skills, women and girls can enhance their educational prospects, participate in the global economy and support their families,” she said.
Mrs Tinubu added that the commissioning presents another opportunity to further expand digital access to our citizens by providing the communities with the resources they require to develop ICT Skills.
“I urge members of this community to take full ownership of this Centre. The success of the centre depends on your active participation and utilisation of the resources available,” she added.
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