The Federal Government has restated its commitment to transform the country’s economy through digital innovation and information technology.
Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isah Ali Pantami, disclosed this on Tuesday when he commissioned the newly established Muhammadu Buhari Information Technology Innovation Hub in Katsina State.
Pantami who described the hub as an incubation centre where ICT talented youths will be trained and mentored on new innovations in ICT for them to become job providers and contribute to the nation’s economy explained that the project is part of the Federal Government’s policy on the National Digital Economy Policy on strategy.
Pantami further described digital innovation and digital entrepreneurship as two major prerequisites to digital economy and requirements for establishing and building a successful digital economy globally.
He observed that all the leading nations of today which comprise Europe, Switzerland, Asia, South Korea, China, USA and UK excelled, became stronger and successful with digital innovation and Digital entrepreneurship, adding that the world economy had moved from being dominated by those in the oil and gas sector to those in Information and Communication Technology.
“Katsina State is blessed with talents because its indigenes had on several international occasions or competitions been emerging as the global best.
“What we need is to provide them with enabling environment, the mentorship, and the support they need to be successful and by extension make the country more successful,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari assured people of the state of the government’s readiness to continue to encourage youths to embrace Information Technology, adding that 60 per cent of the current population of the state (7 million) are under the age of 30.
He announced that the civil servants now consume nothing less than 90 per cent of whatever federal allocation is coming to the state hence the need to engage youths in the area of ICT.
He, therefore, assured residents that the newly commissioned IT hub would be put into good use under the state Institute of Science and Technology.
