Kwara state governor, Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq, has expressed his readiness to collaborate with ONE Innovation Hub Offa on digital skills acquisitions.
The state government also expressed its delight that ONEIH as a community effort is a digital marvel, and capable of preparing the next generation for the technological evolution.
This disclosure was made by the Special Assistant to Kwara Governor on Digital Innovations, Mr Kayode Ishola Thursday afternoon.
Mr. Isola also visited ONEIH-Kola Balogun Technology Centre (O-KBTC), scheduled for commissioning December 28.
He said the visit was part of the Kwara state government effort to see how to collaborate and encourage digital savviness among the citizenries.
He stated that Mallam Abdulrahman-led government is making ceaseless efforts to expand the state technologically, and partnering with digital hubs would help the state to be among the top states on digital and high technology innovations for breakthroughs and advancements in the state ICT sector.
“We want to bring all tech hubs in the state together and make them progress partner to the state government.
“Technology should be localized, we should be able to bring our people together to collaborate, and that is why, one of the first assignments I took upon myself since assumption of office is to visit tech hubs in the state and see areas of collaboration.
“The state government understands that this is a private organization, but we are interested in collaboration with the private sector. We want to know and see how we can come in. For instance, ONEIH organises hackathon programme, the state government organized one earlier this year with over 250 tech ecosystem builders from around Nigeria. They exchanged innovative ideas and acquired digital skills aimed at addressing a range of issues related to government companies. Contestants from states including Cross Rivers, Kano, Nasarawa, Niger, and Kwara attended the two-day event. Let’s see how to work together so whenever you want to do something, the government will be in the know and see how to come in.“
He added that the visitation was geared towards on-the-ground assessment of tech facilities in the state, their needs, areas of collaborations amidst others.
Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of One Innovation Hub Offa, Engr Taofeek Olatinwo expressed gratitude to the state government for finding the hub worthy of collaboration. He went on to disclose that the ONEIH has trained over 3,000 people since inception.
He also commended the Kwara State Government on partnership with global telecoms giant, IHS Towers, adding “this is the kind of partnership we at ONEIH will like to tap into, too.”
He disclosed that the hub is avidly working on Printed Circuit Board (PCB), Artificial Intelligence, Drone technology; this includes manufacturing and assemblages, even drone piloting.
Olatinwo said, “ONE Innovation Hub means ‘Offa aNd Environs Innovation Hub’, this will ensure the inclusiveness of all the towns and villages around Offa, and by extension the entire Kwara State and surrounding states. By the latter, we are talking about Kogi, Osun, Niger, Ekiti, Oyo, etc.
“We are also partnering with secondary schools in Offa on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Facilitators from ONEIH go to secondary schools weekly to train the students. We also teaching them skills that would make them be self-reliant and entrepreneurs. There are few more, and they differ from our regular training sessions, internships, and hackathon programmes.
“I am really excited by this partnership. I am excited about what we can do with the Kwara state government to extend the scope and the reach of what we are doing for the youths. We want to take the youths away from the streets. We want to give them skills that will qualify them as entrepreneurs. They will be able to contribute positively to their families, society, Kwara state and Nigeria as a whole.“
Mrs. Mary Oyinbo, ONEIH Manager applauded the state government for the collaborative approach to tech world.
“It is nice to hear what the government is doing. I am happy that you are taking this interesting approach to see what can be done and how collaboration can be made. I am optimistic as I look at what this collaboration can give birth to in a nearest future. We are looking forward to a working relationship with you. Thank you very much.“