BY JUMAI NWACHUKWU /IFEANYI UWAGWU
THE Delta State Government has restated its commitment to strengthening the technological ecosystem in the state and to attract both local and foreign investors into the sector.
This reaffirmation was made by the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr. Daniel Odinigwe, at the flag-off of the maiden Delta Tech Week, tagge: ‘Building Delta’s Digital Future, held at the Delta State Innovation Hub’, yesterday.
According to Odinigwe, the five-day event was designed to bring together key players within the state’s technology ecosystem, offering them the opportunity to spark curiosity, share ideas, collaborate, and further accelerate innovation. He noted that the programme would also attract tech enthusiasts and potential investors.
“The Tech Week is lined up for our tech players to ensure that the sector continues to flourish in the state, and for them to network among themselves and showcase their innovations to attract startup capital from both foreign and local investors. The event will continue to be a pipeline of innovations that will not only build Delta’s digital future but also transform the economic landscape of the state in the not-so-distant future,” he said.
Odinigwe further highlighted that the state has implemented policies to ensure an enabling environment for the tech ecosystem to thrive, including continuous training of youths in ICT to ensure they were equipped for a rapidly evolving digital world.
Also speaking, the acting Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Rocky Ighoyota, noted that the event would position Delta State at the forefront of Nigeria’s technological evolution and attract more investors into the sector.
He disclosed that the state government has ensured improved power supply to reduce dependence on generators and the associated operational costs. In addition, fibre-optic cables have been laid across the state to boost broadband and internet connectivity. “The state government has been very supportive of the sector as it has laid plans, which it has carefully implemented, to ensure sustained growth of the tech ecosystem. Delta will be at the heart of the technological revolution in the country. It has ensured improved power supply and is in the process of boosting broadband connectivity, two critical and often expensive components of the tech ecosystem,” he said.
The head of the organising committee and founder of Schoolville, Mr. Charles Omordia, said the event would strengthen collaboration among ecosystem players and accelerate growth.
“At the end of this programme, we expect the startups, innovators, and builders in our ecosystem to understand that this is not the time to stand alone. It has to be inclusive, involving one another to connect what they are building. Building alone is very challenging. When you connect with and identify your partners in the ecosystem and align skill levels, it enables us to scale and scale very fast,” he said.
The opening day also featured a startups’ demo session, with over 30 startups pitching their innovations and products, as well as the launch of a hackathon. Day two will feature the Delta TechXperience exhibition, Industry and Energy Day sessions, and Tech & Career job fairs. The event will conclude on Friday.
