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Edo partners microsoft, siemens, others to launch innovation hub

By Bankole Orija
01 June 2018   |   1:45 am
In an effort to equip youths with skills and expertise to drive inclusive growth and development, the Edo state government, through its skills development arm, Edojobs, is set for the launch of the first ever state-backed innovation hub to activate and drive the state’s fledgling technology ecosystem.

Microsoft. PHOTO: Jason Redmond / AFP

In an effort to equip youths with skills and expertise to drive inclusive growth and development, the Edo state government, through its skills development arm, Edojobs, is set for the launch of the first ever state-backed innovation hub to activate and drive the state’s fledgling technology ecosystem.

Set for launch on June 14, the hub would be run in partnership with Nigeria’s leading technology-based organisations, such as Siemens, Tech4Dev, Microsoft, Impact Hub, Curators University (an American University), HotelsNg, among others.

It will train over 1,000 youths will be trained based on their interest in data management, programming, basic digital skills, and artificial intelligence.The hub, to be known as Edo Innovation Hub, is to be located at the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) in Benin City, which is currently being renovated.

Governor Obaseki said “the innovation hub would serve as a facility for training youths in the state and it would also serve as a center for follow-up training for youths who are participating in similar training programmes organized by the state government through its skills development arm popularly known as EdoJobs.

“Services on offer by the firms include incubation and pre-incubation programme, acceleration programme, business clinics and co-working facilities.”He added that the “Innovation Hub would be equipped with thousands of computers supported with high-speed connectivity.”The innovation hub is expected to play a major role in facilitating the realization of Obaseki’s campaign promise to put an end to unemployment in Edo State by providing 200,000 jobs.

Mrs, Ukinebo Dare, head, EdoJobs, and Senior Special Asistant (SSA) to the Governor on Skills Development and Job Creation, said that the innovation hub would open up the space for the development of critical manpower for Edo’s burgeoning investment climate.

She noted that efforts are being made to ensure that the state integrates and benefits from the gains of a digital economy, which is why digital literacy features prominently in the offerings of the different programmes at the cluster.According to her, “There is a focus on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

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