The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, has said that the Federal Government will not relent in its efforts towards promoting digital innovation and entrepreneurship among Nigerian youths.
The minister gave the assurance on Tuesday while commissioning an Information Technology (IT) Innovation Centre named after President Muhammadu Buhari in Katsina State.
He insisted that doing so would make the youths become job providers and contribute to the growth of the nation’s economy.
Pantami said the world economy had moved from being dominated by those in the oil and gas sector to those in Information and Communication Technology.
According to him, the ambition of the Federal Government is to have individuals and institutions that would attain greatness and wealth through IT.
“Nigeria needs to create a conducive environment and mentorship that would encourage talented youths in the IT sector. This informed the federal government’s decision to build the IT centre in Katsina State.
“Digital Innovation and Digital Entrepreneurship are the prerequisites for the digital economy.
“Leading nations today in Europe, Switzerland, Asia, South Korea and the United States that excel in digital innovation and digital entrepreneurship have a strong economy.
“Nigeria cannot and should not be left behind.
“That is why this kind of IT hub was built where our youths’ needs in IT would be monitored.
“We shall continue to mentor them so that they will end up being job providers and successful IT individuals such as Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates of this world.
“A centre like this will help the federal and the state governments to discover our talented youths and mentor them so that they will become job providers and contribute to the nation’s economy,’’ he said.
Speaking at the event, Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State also assured that the state would continue to encourage youths to embrace IT.
The governor said the newly commissioned IT hub would be put into good use under the state Institute of Science and Technology. (NAN)