Enugu begins construction work on tech hub centres

Enugu State Government says it has commenced construction work in Enugu and Obollo Afor on tech hub and youth innovation centres.

A statement by the state Commissioner for Science and Technology, Obi Kama, stated that the project was initiated by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to take technology-driven innovations to the grassroots.

He said the target of the administration “is to turn Enugu into a tech tourism state within the next three years by bringing in the best tech solutions and innovations through localisation and consequently increase the state Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by at least 15 per cent.”

The commissioner added that “the hub also targets to create more than 1,500 small-scale tech businesses in the region; employ more than 10,000 youths within the short space of time”.

Kama listed some of the services to be rendered at the centres for the benefit of the people of Enugu State, especially the youth, as computer training programmes, solar skills acquisition training, computer coding, web site designs, graphic designs, confectionaries and hands-on technical skills training.

He stated that “the centres will be equipped with computer sets, solar power source, 100 KVA Generator, internet access, training tools and consumables.”

He explained that the facilities being installed at the centres are state-of-the-art “in line with Governor Ugwuanyi’s vision for ICT and technical skills acquisition for employment generation and wealth creation.”.

Kama noted that “Enugu State, over the years, has been rated the highest academic hub of the southern Nigeria, hosting more than 10 indigenous universities, polytechnic and colleges of education”, which turn out great number of first-class and second-class graduates in the science-related courses.