Kaduna State Government in collaboration with the Bank of Industry (BOI) have established an innovation and technology hub that will promote digital skills development, innovation and businesses in the State.
The State Deputy governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe while inaugurating the KADA Hive innovation and Technology hub in Kaduna said the government was committed to make the State a leading ICT hub in Nigeria.
Dr Hadiza Balarabe explained that, the success of the project clearly demonstrated the potentials of partnerships in turning innovative ideas into realities.
According to her, the technology Incubation and Innovation Centre is one of the six funded by the Bank of Industry in the country designed to provide workspace, internet connectivity and office facilities for individuals and groups in the technology and innovation businesses.
Dr Hadiza Balarabe gave an assurance that, the state government would continue to work with its partners in the private and public sectors to innovate ideas that create opportunities for the people.
“Kada Hive Hub will improve Kaduna State’s Technology and Innovation ecosystem as it seeks to build the skills sets of those involved in technology businesses in Kaduna state” .
In a remark, the Chairman Board of Directors, Bank of Industry, Alhaji Aliyu Abdulrahman said the hub was part of Programme of the bank targeted at promoting skills development, youth entrepreneurship and Job creation in new technology and innovation among youths.
Alhaji Abdulrahman noted that, the Bank sponsored the Hub as a platform for young people in the state to channel their creativity and passion to productive rather than engaging in social vices.
According to him, the hub aligns with Mr President’s goal to lift one hundred million Nigerians out of poverty in ten years.
The Board Chairman also revealed that, the Bank of Industry had disbursed over Seven hundred and fourty two million naira to one hundred and ninety five small businesses in Kaduna State.
According to him, when the fund becomes fully utilized, the bank would provide additional funding to the program, emphasising that, the Bank remains a strategic partners to Kaduna state government.
Earlier, the Manager, KADA Hive innovation and Technology Hub , Mr Adeola Bojuwoye acknowledged the Bank of Industry for the fantastic amenities and infrastructure provided at the facility, also commended Kaduna State government and other implementing partners for providing the enabling environment and support to make the project a reality.
Mr Bojuwoye said the idea of the tech-hub was to build businesses and to create a community that promotes innovation for technology companies.
“We focus on Educating and encouraging new talent and ways of thinking. We offer courses in modern digital skills, data science, block chain technology, programming, product design, robotics and a lot more”
“We also provide access to workspaces, a space where high-tech business growth can be accelerated which in turn brings prosperity to the community. Our end game is create a Kaduna variant of Silicon Valley”
He urged residents of Kaduna State to take the opportunity presented to them to acquire sound business grounding that can propel their passion to set up their own enterprises, add value and create jobs.
AMINU DALHATU