Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos state, says
his administration will build innovation and technology centres to deliver the
megacity dream.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Eko Innovation
Centre (EIC) in the state, Sanwo-Olu said the centres will also address the
problem of youth unemployment.
The governor, represented by Obafemi Hamzat, his
deputy, said his administration recognises the place of technology as the key
driver to fast-growing economies.
“Technology is the way to go. It is the way of
the future and our administration is committed to leveraging on technology in
delivering the megacity dream,” he said.
“As a government, we will build innovation and
technology centres where we can bring in private capital and investors, get
ideas from young people on technology and be able to start creating employment
for our youths.
“We also believe that to achieve the THEME
(Traffic Management & Transportation; Health & Environment; Education
& Technology; Making Lagos A 21st Century Economy; Entertainment &
Tourism) concept innovations and technology is key. People from those centres
would come and give us innovative ideas to solve our transport problem; ideas
with which they think locally,”
Victor Afolabi, co-founder and chief executive
officer of the EIC, said the organisation is ready to support startups with
ideas or concepts that have the capacity to impact at least 10 million people.
In partnership with Acumen West Africa and the
African Venture Philanthropy Alliance, two global innovation brands, Afolabi
said the idea behind the EIC was to use innovation and technology in solving
the major issues in the economy of the state.
“For you to be admitted into the Eko i-Centre,
your idea and concept must have ability to touch 10 million people and also
have commercial viability and strong social impact among other things,” he
said.
“The idea is
that when we have companies that come into incubation, their chance of survival
is very high because of strong hand-holding mentorship we are going to
provide.”
too much talk less work.
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