The Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Olatunbosun Tijani, Monday, inaugurated a solar solar-powered community ICT centre built by the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The Innovation hub is part of the first set of facilities being developed on the five hectares of land for the new Abeokuta City Hall Complex, which is being built to celebrate the 200 years of the Egba people by 2030.

Tijani said that the government is building more of these ICT Centres across the country, and about 30 already completed centres will be commissioned in the coming months.

The minister urged the youth to take advantage of the possibilities in technology to build a prosperous future for themselves and the nation.

The Minister said, “So, when we talk about this Community ICT Centre, we are not just cutting a ribbon, we are opening doors. We are expanding horizons for young people who are just like I was — full of energy, full of questions, and full of potential.

“This centre, developed by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), is a hub of possibilities. It provides a space where students from the many academic institutions here, from FUNAAB to Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Crescent University and beyond can find tools to match their talents.

“It is where a secondary school student from Ijeun or Lafenwa can walk in and be introduced to programming, robotics, design thinking, or digital entrepreneurship.”

“Youth must not be distracted; they should stay focused. Not enough people are working in the technology sector all over the world. If you have anyone working in technology, the starting salary is between N250,000 and N500,000.

“Some of our parents have never received this kind of salary. The truth is that technology pays really well. Instead of joining what people are saying in the country that things are hard and all that, they should take the opportunity of ICT Centres like this to develop themselves and build up a robust career and future for themselves”.

The Minister also re-emphasised the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to invest in the digital economy, driving inclusive growth and empowering the country’s teeming youth population.

Tijani equally beckoned on the youth to leverage the abundant opportunities in technology to achieve financial freedom and build a robust future for themselves.

Tijani said that Tinubu recognises the potential inherent in the technology sector and said that this present administration is committed to raising over one million tech guys who will deploy the power of technology for the advancement of the country.

The Minister promised to spend at least N10m within the new months, more to provide more equipment within the facility.

- Communicatation Minister and the Alake during the inaguration

Speaking earlier, the Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, lauded Tinubu for approving that the centre should be built for the people of Abeokuta.

Gbadebo said that the interest of Tinubu in helping to develop the educational sector in Egbaland is second to none.

The Royal father said that, just about two weeks ago, the President appointed Governing board members and principal officers for the take-off of the newly approved Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Abeokuta.

Oba Gbadebo said that the Federal Government has equally provided the funds that will make the university function for a year and even begin admissions of students before the year runs out.

The monarch said that with this development, Abeokuta would be the first city to have two Federal universities in the same town.

He said this has no doubt marked another new dawn for the people of Egbaland, given rapid growth and development, and economic empowerment, among others that are associated with the establishment of federal institutions.

Gbadebo lauded Tijani for facilitating the community ICT centre saying that it will go a long way to empower the youth and encourage academic excellence in ICT in the state and country at large.

The traditional rulers urged other Egba indigenes at home and abroad to also take a cue from the Minister and use their influence and network for the further development of Egbaland and the State at large.