Ogun blazing the trail in digital economy

"I would like to commend our futuristic, dynamic, innovative and digitally compliant Governor, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun for this incredibly relevant initiative. By bringing last-mile broadband access to homes, businesses and offices in Ogun State, you are opening up Ogun State residents and businesses digitally, not just across Nigeria, but to the entire universe”.

Those were the words of Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) while commending the foresightedness of the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, at the flag-off of the Ogun State Digital Economy Empowerment Project (OGDEIP) on Thursday, April 15, 2021.

While many states and other tiers of the government are fearful of taking up the challenge, considering the risks and the financial implications involved, this is a task that Ogun State Government, under the leadership of the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has dared to undertake.

Armed with the belief that opening up Ogun State economy to the world would transform the hitherto civil-service state into a world-class megacity, Governor Abiodun had on assumption of office on May 29, 2019, rolled up his sleeves with a resolve to digitally revolutionise the state’s economy.

Consequently, machineries were set in motion to birth the new economy, leading to the conversion of one of the under-utilised buildings of the state’s model colleges into what is today known as Ogun TechHub.

Prince Abiodun, knowing the importance of technology in the ease of doing business decided to bring his wealth of private sector experience to bear on the public service. As a successful entrepreneur in the oil and gas business, the governor knows that the success of any business today, be it government or private, depends largely on Information Technology.

Hence, the importance of linking the business of governance in Ogun State with the modern trend, leading to the creation of Adire Digital Market Place and Ogun Digital Class, among many others.

Prince Abiodun had in November 2020 flagged off the Adire Digital Market at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, to the admiration of all while advocating the export of Nigeria’s indigenous fabrics to the other parts of the world.

A major question to ask is: Had technology not been the bedrock of the Dapo Abiodun administration, how would the state government have coped with the multifaceted challenges that came with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the EndSARS protests that grounded the nation’s economy in 2020? No doubt, the successful businessman came into public service prepared.

According to the Number-Two Citizen, “access to broadband and other technology tools have become compulsory for any community that seeks meaningful growth, prosperity and security for its people. Digital Technology is the future of all aspects of human existence”.

Showing his acceptability of the programme and the support for the political will of the governor, the Vice President did not only commend the efforts of the governor, but he also displayed with pride, his citizenship of the Gateway State.

He said: “Today is one of my proudest days as a citizen of Ogun State, because today, Ogun State has taken the leadership in digital technology in Nigeria by this first-of-its-kind massive investment in the digital infrastructure in our great State.

“We are not just talking about the future, its challenges and opportunities, we are, by the launching of the Ogun State Digital Economy Empowerment Project (OGDEIP), taking hold of the future and we are set to define it in our own terms,” he noted.

On his part, the visibly elated Governor Abiodun did not mince words to let the public know that ICT accounts for more than 21 per cent of Ogun State Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and that it has provided countless job opportunities for the growing educated and creative citizenry.

Abiodun noted that his administration was aware of the many advantages the people have continued to reap since the introduction of a digital economy, insisting that it is an important aspect of the ‘Building our Future Together Agenda’ in Ogun State.

Noting that the digital economy infrastructure, being the backbone for the ICT revolution, has continued to provide job opportunities for the growing educated and creative citizenry, the governor said the launch would further enhance the ease of doing business in the state while revealing that ICT will continue to account for a major size of the state’s GDP.

In the same vein, the Minister for Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, who was represented by the Executive Vice Chairman, National Communications Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said the project was timely as it would create new economic opportunities and improve the lives of the people.

The traditional institution was not left out of the euphoria as many of the monarchs were very optimistic that the launch will bring a rebirth of the Gateway State. The Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, who spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers, lauded the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun for bringing advanced technology to the doorstep of people in the grassroots, while noting that Ogun Digital Economy would help in improving socio-economic lives of the people.

With his presence, which lends credence to the support of the National Assembly, the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Hon. Abubakar Suleja, lauded Ogun State for being the first to achieve such a remarkable feat.

Lending its voice to the project, 21st Century Technologies limited ((21CTL) which partners the state government to execute the programme, said the initiative would see the economy of Ogun state grow by additional $100 billion.

The Vice Chairman/CEO of the company, Wale Ajisebutu, who assured that the initiative would see all business sectors and citizens of Ogun state operate digitally, said the network infrastructure will facilitate GSM services, financial inclusion, data storage, development of innovative ideas by startups and universities.