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By Madu Obi
The Anambra State Innovation center established by Governor Chukwuma Soludo as part of his administration's empowerment programme, has trained 25000 youths from the 21 local government areas to prepare them for self employment.
The special adviser to the governor on Innovation and Business Inclusion, Chinwe Okoli, while briefing reporters on the forthcoming Anambra Innovation Week 2024 slated for next month in Awka, said the beneficiaries were equipped with deep technology skills, adding that many of them have already secured mouth - watering jobs.
She said the week will feature an innovation competition with a prize pool of over N100,000,000 in cash prizes, adding that expected participants include government ministries, agencies, academic institutions, startups, and creators..
Okoli said that In line with Governor Soludo’s agenda to make Anambra Nigeria’s digital and creative capital, the Soludo Innovation District, SID, is dedicated to developing a thriving ecosystem for digital talent, startups, and innovative businesses across the state.
She said: "Our mandate encompasses nurturing the Anambra Digital Tribe, supporting the startup ecosystem, incubating promising ventures, fostering research commercialization, and helping businesses leverage technology to scale.
Through programmes like LevelUp Anambra and Code Anambra, we have trained these youths on various deep technology skills preparing them for jobs in the global market-and many other them secure such jobs daily, while our SID Teen Digital Bootcamp cultivates a new generation of talented teens poised for future global impact.
Additionally, the Anambra State Startup Law, a domestication of the Nigerian Startup Act, is underway to boost an environment that nurtures creativity, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic growth.
In support of this commitment, Governor Soludo has prioritized infrastructure, with over 2,000 km of fiber duct being laid across the state for last-mile internet connectivity.
A 13.7-hectare plot of land, currently home to the Government House, has been designated as the permanent site for SID. The master plan redesign is complete, and construction on the first major structure has begun, setting the foundation for what will become a hub of innovation and technology."
Okoli explained that SID's current temporary center has been equipped with a digital skills lab, robotics lab, co-working spaces, training halls, high-speed internet, and a productive environment for startups and tech enthusiasts.
According to her, the Anambra Innovation Week is set to become an annual event and a leading platform for showcasing Nigeria and Africa’s fast-growing and vibrant technology and innovation ecosystem, while underscoring the vision to make Anambra the Silicon Valley of Africa.
"We will bring together innovators, policymakers, top tech CEOs, industry, entrepreneurs, investors, digital experts, and academics from Africa and beyond.
The week will feature exhibitions, showcases, competitions, games, keynotes, high-level panels, fireside chats, workshops, masterclasses, and a TradeNovation fair for Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, all designed to advance technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship across the continent.
It will also prioritize growth through bold ideas, talent, technology and invention highlighted by our flagship competition called Battle4Solutions", she stated.
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