In order to harness the potential of digital economy through co-created regulations, the Nigeria start up act in partnership with Osun State Government organised an ecosystem engagement with stakeholders in the State on the adoption of the act.
The engagement, which was held in Osogbo on Saturday, had in attendance young enterprenuers, digital enterprenuers and policy makers across the State.
Governor Ademola Adeleke had during programmes leading to his 100-day in office, revealed that Osun under his watch will leverage on Information and Communications technology to boost its economy and empower its teaming youths.
Speaking to the newsmen on the adoption of the Act on Saturday, the State Adoption Lead of the Nigeria start-up act, Mrs Tracy Okoro said the Act will contribute to the creation of an enabling environment for growth, attraction, and protection of tech startups.
“Nigeria Startup Act is an ecosystem engagement event, it is one of the activities of the presidency to help states to adopt the Nigeria startup act. It is legislation that was cooperated by different stakeholders using The Big Tent approach, to make sure that everybody will be involved in this ecosystem to create laws and enabling environment for young people and tech-enabling companies to thrive”, she explained.
“Young people are moving out of the country, some are moving to Lagos and Abuja for opportunities but it is better that they stay in their present location to benefit from the startup act. We have brought people across all works of life to enlighten our youths on how to access funding and support”. She added.
Okoro revealed that the Act mandates government to dedicate 10 billion naira every year towards its funding, which will ensure opportunities for investors to invest in the State.
The Coordinating Director of Ministry of Science and Technology, Kehinde Jimoh, said the main aim of the Osun Government was to empower the youths tech wise, emphasising that Osun Govt has done a lot in the process of adoption of the Act.
“The Osun State Government want to use this bill to develop the youths, to engage them meaningfully. What the state is targeting is to ensure that this Startup Act engages them and channels their knowledge to something positive”, Jimoh added.
“Youths who are into Yahoo Yahoo (internet fraud) are intelligent people but instead of doing this negatively they will be made to do positive things so that their energy and potentials can be tailored towards national development and this will address youth unemployment, restiveness, and other bad attitudes”, he reiterated.
The Media Adviser to the Governor on ICT, Sola Isola said thousands of youths are targeted to benefit from the act through funding, partnership from the government.
” This innovation is mainly targeted at youths, they are the ones who will benefit from this through funding, when the Act finally kicks off, this will enable them to learn digital skills, which will enhance their productivity and also the development of the State”.
