Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said that efforts had begun towards transforming the state into one of the country’s leading hubs for entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology.

According to the governor, his administration was committed to fostering an environment where young entrepreneurs can thrive and shine on national and global stages.

Each of the 20 winners, who emerged from hundreds of applicants from across the state, would get N1 million cash and N2 million worth of working equipment to enhance their businesses.

Aiyedatiwa had earlier in the year increased the number of beneficiaries from the initial 10 to 20 in order to encourage more young people to embrace entrepreneurship.

Speaking during the prize-giving ceremony organised by the Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency (ONDEA) tagged ‘My IDEA 2.0’ competition in Akure, the state capital, the governor said: “The end has come for the narrative of Ondo State being a Civil Service State.

“In my time as Governor of this State, as I renew my mandate come November, by the Grace of God, Ondo State will be known as the capital for entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology, thereby allowing our youths to shine brightly in the Sunshine State.

“History has shown that prosperous regions are often transformed by innovative solutions that address challenges and create new industries. In Ondo State, we recognise the power of entrepreneurship and technology to reshape our economy and elevate our people’s lives.”.

Aiyedatiwa, who emphasised the need and benefits of supporting young entrepreneurs, stressed that the state government is dedicated to providing the necessary tools, resources, and mentorship to help them succeed in a technology-driven world.

“This competition is a testament to our belief in the capacity of our young people to generate groundbreaking ideas that will shape the future of this state and the country,” he added.

With the state set to host the Global Entrepreneurship Festival, Aiyedatiwa expressed optimism about the opportunities the event will present, adding that it will showcase the state’s investment opportunities with collaborations that will drive economic growth.

The governor encouraged participants to remain steadfast in their pursuits, regardless of the competition’s outcomes, just as he thanked the ONDEA team for their hard work and expressed confidence that the ideas generated through the competition would have a lasting impact on the future of Ondo State.

On his part, the special adviser to the governor on entrepreneurship, Mr. Summy Smart Francis, stated that the governor’s commitment had fostered the growth of entrepreneurship across the state.