AIF, tech experts target young talents, as South East zonal activation holds in

From Daniel Maduagwu

The Africa Innovation Foundry (AIF) South East regional activation has successfully been held in Umuahia, Abia State capital, with a call on young South East young talents and business hubs to leverage on the AIF and Abia State government’s initiatives to become global business leaders.

The activation event, which was one of the zonal flagship events brought together tech talents , start up , founders, investors, innovation hubs and government stakeholders from South East States of Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo.

The activation was also used to formally launch AIF talent upscaling and start up incubation cohort, convene ecosystem stakeholders for partnership announcements, cohort recruitment and media visibility.

Explaining the importance of the program at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Secretariat, venue of the event, the Executive Director, Africa Innovation Foundry, Deji Garuba said that it was a national program created to upskill 150,000 Nigerian youths and to incubate 3,0000 start ups.

He noted that after the upskilling and incubation processes, the participants would be funded to to start up their business, adding that the funding would come from collaboration with AIF partners.

He also said that a learning management system has been created that would enable the youths to learn virtually, even as he said that those who may encounter difficulty learning virtually, would use the local hubs set up by the AIF.

Deji who commended the Abia State government for hosting the event and its deep commitment to seemless success of the Start Up and Incubation processes, expressed the optimism that more States would key into the idea by partnering the AIF.

Declaring the activation event open, Abia State Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, David Kalu said that the laudable program aligned with Governor Alex Otti’s government’s technology, innovation, youth development, talent discovery and support for digital creativity.

The Commissioner who said that Nigeria Start Up Act has been domesticated into the Abia Start Up Law, said that the State is creating enabling environment for a fledging economy founded on digital instruments, adding that Governor Alex Otti is is leading a State ahead in innovations and business opportunities.

Kalu who stressed the need for collaboration, said that the State government’s decision to host the South East AIF activation underscored its commitment to tech and talent upscaling in the South East.

He urged the participants to utilize every opportunity provided by the event to become successful global business leaders.

Also speaking, Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Prince Lawrence Ezeh, said that Enugu State government is championing start up innovation, digital creativity and is assiduously laying the foundation for digital creativity.

Ezeh who was represented by Mrs Chinyere Otuonye, Head Enugu Tech Ecosystem, said that Enugu is open for collaboration with AIF, investors and other South East States in the digital transformation of youths and the State’s economy at large.

In their various presentations, tech experts and other resources persons charged the participants on the need to protect their intellectual property through registration of businesses with relevant government agencies.

The speakers who included Toyin Chukwudozie, Osigwe Ahmed Momoh, Adiuukwu Daniel Chukwumaijem, Omah Areh among others, tasked the youths to explore and utilize the program to link their business ideas and product with global market.