- Calls for Collaboration
By Tomi Lala
Commissioner for Innovation, Science, Technology and Digital Economy in Osun State Hon.Maruff Ayofe has stated that the Science, Technology & Innovation Policy and Information, Communication, Technology and Digital Economy Policy approved by the executive council of the state will put Osun in the limelight.
While calling on stakeholders across all sectors to collaborate with the state government, he also noted that the State Government is taking significant steps to move the tech sector forward adding that government can not do it alone.
Ayofe stated this at the Osun ICT Stakeholders Engagement organized by The Founder’s Hub (TFH) on Thursday to discuss ecosystem development in Osun state.
He also disclosed that the Ministry of Innovation has just gotten the State’s STI, ICT, and DE policy approved by the Executive Council which he believed will put Osun in the limelight.
In his words, “Finally, to get to where we are in Osun State, we’ve tried our best. All my staff have worked tirelessly to bring us to where we are today. Thanks to my peers for their cooperation, and my directors too. Well, it’s very interesting.
“We’ve just gotten our STI, ICT, and DE policy approved by the executive council, which is fantastic. I believe this will put Osun in the limelight. Osun is taking significant steps forward. We are interested in something, getting the STI approved.
“The next one will be on startups, which is coming up in the next month or two. By the time we finish with that, I know Osun will be on top of the mountain of technology.
“We expect every one of you to collaborate with us to develop Osun State, not for us, but for the state. I believe Osun will rise higher and higher. Thank you so much. He added.
Speaking on the immediate steps and plans of the government to make policy implementation seamless, Hon. Ayofe, reiterated that, the Governor of Osun state, Senator Ademola Adeleke is a transparent man who is willing to make all his work known to citizens.
He said, “I would like to say that here in Osun State, we have a man, Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is very welcoming. He loves the people and wants them to know exactly what is going on, in terms of the economy, in terms of equipment, he’s just like you. He wants things to change. He wants everything possible to be done to make it much greater.
“There are visions and reports. If we can follow these policies, we will elevate Osun State. We know that Osun State cannot reach its full potential without collaboration. Now that we are adopting a policy in the state, it will bring about technological improvement.
“In the next few months, we should be having our general tech conference. This will give the entire state and all our children the opportunity to gain more training and understand what technology is all about. Because, in Osun State, in time we will be at par with places like New York or Seattle. It’s a long journey.
“Technology is the way out. No business can survive without technology anymore. You never switch off. In fact, over there, everything is done with technology. But I believe over here, the effort might need to be more concerted to achieve such a level. Like that, or we should keep our spirits up so that things can change. But I believe Osun is on the right path. This policy is the way forward.
“Like I said, the startup act is coming soon. We’re going through the process of judiciary review. Once the house is able to pass the bill, anybody from any state in Nigeria will be able to come and establish startups in Osun. Once that’s done, we’ll have the policy framework in place”.
In an interview with our correspondent, Facilitator of the event, Mr Jude Feranmi revealed the motive behind the engagement with the commissioner.
According to him, there are many interactions and engagements required when building a technology cluster, and ICT Stakeholders want to see Osun State to become an innovation and technology cluster of its own, with strong tech pillars across different areas—capital, policy, and talent.
“There are many interactions and engagements required when building a technology cluster. What we want to see in Osun State is for it to become an innovation and technology cluster of its own, with strong tech pillars across different areas—capital, policy, and talent.
“The Honourable Commissioner is the political authority responsible for this in Osun State. This meeting brought together some of the stakeholders and engaged them directly with the Honourable Commissioner.
“We were here for two hours and twenty minutes, and I think it was a very good and detailed conversation. I’m pleased that the state’s STI, ICT, and economic policies have been approved by the State Council. The Commissioner made commitments to continue this engagement, publish the state policies, and advance the startup act for Osun State to a point where it can be passed by the House and benefit the state. Overall, it was a productive conversation”, he noted.
3MTT Community Manager in Osun state, Mr Lukman Adeoti appreciated the organizers, while noting that it’s one of those events that everyone has been anticipating.
“This afternoon, we learned that the ministry is solidly behind all of us and that we can always bring up any issues we have, as there is an open line of communication.
“The startup bill we drafted last year is yet to see the light of day, but it will be rectified and passed by the house in the next few weeks. The Commissioner also discussed several policies that the federal and state governments are working to implement.
“It has been a very engaging and interactive session this afternoon, and I look forward to more such sessions. I want to appreciate the organizers for arranging this event in such a serene and calm environment”, he said.
