Delta to Establish Innovation Development Fund- Okowa

As part of initiatives to sustain its innovation and science agenda, Delta State Government has initiated moves towards establishing a “Delta State Innovation Development Fund – IDF”.

Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State, disclosed the plans in his speech "from oil to knowledge-based development", at the forum of the Ministry of Science and Technology on Delta State Innovation hub  for the  newly established Delta State Innovation Hub).

According to the Governor, Innovation is critical for long-term economic growth and sustainable development in both developed and the developing world, as it fosters regional, national and global competitiveness, creates employment and helps to address and resolve major social conflicts in any given society.

To this end, he said that all donors to the fund will be recognized and honoured as it will encourage all youths to acquire computer skills; encourage e-governance and digital literacy skills in the civil service and other institutions.

“Our land administration is being fully digitalized, with greater ease of doing business. I wish to urge all Deltans and willing partners to support this project.

He said that in moving away from oil to a knowledge-based development, the Ministry of Science and Technology has come up with a comprehensive economic development blueprint and strategy to build technologically based skill capacities, support and empower entrepreneurs, generate new employment model for our youth, create wealth and reduce poverty.

“In driving the State’s economy, we are developing an innovation and science agenda as a key component in bridging the huge gaps and deficiencies in our education, health, industry, entertainment, governance, social and state security systems.

“The State aims to achieve this through a Private-Public-Partnership model strategy on innovation development. In this regards, we have resolved to partner with Mobile Software Solutions Limited, a renowned content solutions provider in the Information and Communications Technology industry and the winner of World Summit Award 2014 for Africa Best Mobile Content Developer in the Life-Style and Entertainment category”.

On Delta State Innovation Hub - DS-IHUB, he said, “can attain noble heights if we put our minds to work. In moving this project forward, we will rely on the support and patronage of Delta State citizens at home and in the Diaspora, entrepreneurs, the academia, students, industry leaders, stakeholders, and indeed, all friends of Delta State, to ensure that this enviable knowledge venture is not only successful, but significantly beneficial to all concerned and sustainable for generations yet unborn.

“We realize that our success story will be dependent on how much support and partnership we get out there. We must pay glowing tributes as a State to Zenith Bank Plc, for donating this complex, and look forward to partnership with as many that may wish to develop positive minds for our greater tomorrow”.