Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Abia State Government says a whopping N10 billion has been earmarked to support startups in technology, agriculture and entrepreneurship in the state.
Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of the Abia Small & Medium Microfinance Bank, Mr Isaac Chimeremeze Okigbo, who disclosed this at a stakeholders’ sensitisation engagement on the Abia State adoption of the Nigeria Start-Up Act, said the fund had been warehoused in the bank.
Okigbo who was a former Special Adviser to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue, challenged start-ups in the tech industry, Agric sector and entrepreneurship to take advantage of the largesse and realise their business dreams.
He explained that the Gov. Alex Otti-led administration “is passionate about supporting business growth,” hence the gesture, adding that any application that meets the requirements will be graciously considered without delay.
According to him, Government’s goal is to make Abia the tech hub of the South-East.
In his remarks, Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovations, Mr David Kalu, said the meeting was to review the Abia State Startup Act Draft document as part of efforts geared towards adopting the Nigeria Startup Act.
He urged participants to make quality contributions to a better Act.
“We have gathered our stakeholders to look at this Act and make sure that everybody’s voice is heard very well.
“We will put all these together to come up with an act that would actually support, promote and push forward entrepreneurs using technology in Abia to develop applications that would support our future “I like to say thank you and I hope you will give us your full support and commitment to putting your views forward for this act,” he said.
The Commissioner who noted that “Abia is known for trade and agriculture said the state “is also greatly gifted with strong entrepreneurial skills.”
He appreciated Governor Alex Otti for his interest in harnessing the skills of these entrepreneurs.
“We are now getting technology, and so there is a marriage of our entrepreneurial skills with the technology to underline this marriage.
“I think we need in place a very strong legal framework that can support this relationship. That is why it is very important that we have this act,” Mr. Kalu noted.
The Commissioner assured that Abia State Government would set up a fund for the technology driven Startups and manage it to encourage Abia business ecosystem.
Contributing, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovations Engr. Mrs Justina Ebo; and the Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital Economy, Miss Chibuzor Chijioke, highlighted the essence of the stakeholders’ engagement and expressed government’s commitment to adopting the State Startup Act for the growth of the technology driven businesses.
In her speech, the State Adoption Lead of the Nigeria Startup Act, Mrs Tracy Okoro-Isaac, said the stakeholders engagement was important to ensure that the Startup Act which has been created at the national level is brought down to the state level.
She noted that there is need for states like Abia to co-create the environment using legal instrument like the Act to make sure that young people are running tech-enabled companies and have a chance to build something and create a silicon valley for themselves.
In their reactions, some participants including the board chair of Abia Technology and Innovation Network, Mr. Daniel Chinagozi, Mr Anya Peter, described the meeting as a dream come true.
They appreciated Governor Alex Otti for the initiative which would boost technology and innovation in the state.
