FG pledges support for e-village project
By Adewale Owoade
As part of its efforts targeted at driving innovation, technology and entrepreneurial landscape in the country, the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology has announced its willingness to render necessary support to the Entrepreneurship Village (E-Village) project which is being situated in Akure, Ondo State.
This disclosure was made in Abuja by the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, during a meeting with the stakeholders of the E-Village.
The minister, who acknowledged the pivotal role such an initiative like E-Village will play in driving innovation, job creation and economic growth, noted that the initiative aligns with the ministry’s vision for a tech-driven future.
“The Entrepreneurship Village aligns with our vision for a tech-driven future, and I am excited to endorse and support this endeavor wholeheartedly,” stated the minister.
Also, Chief Nnaji stressed that the initiative represents a crucial step towards positioning Nigeria as a hub for technological innovation and added that the ministry will not hesitate to make collaborative efforts and policy initiatives aimed at propelling the Entrepreneurship Village to greater heights.
Speaking earlier on behalf of other stakeholders, the President of the Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (A.Y.E.), Dr. Summy Smart Francis, had explained that e-village is a social impact and legacy project that addresses the need that the African economy currently faces in the education, entrepreneurship and infrastructural sector.
In addition, Dr. Francis disclosed that the entrepreneurial eco-system provided by e-village ensures that budding entrepreneurs are identified, trained, supported and produced to the economy to create jobs and to solve the many challenges currently experienced and yet to be experienced in the continent.
The E-Village will house institutions such as New York institute of Finance, London Academy Business School (LABS), Metropolitan School of Business and Management, UK; and the School of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (SORAI).
Also, it will house the Octagon Business Hub, Megamindz Creative Academy, Research Cube amongst other institutions that would enhance human capacity development.
On board of this legacy are reputable people from diverse backgrounds namely Steven Freidmutter, CEO SF Ventures (Advisory Board Chairman); Dan Walkovitz, CEO Mainstay Solutions; Hon. Shina Peller, The Ayedero of Yorubaland, Founder Aquila Group & Quilox Nightlife; Dr Tony Bello, Chairman and Co-founder of Shine Bridge Global.
Others are Professor Thorsten Kliewe (Professor for Innovation Management and Business Development at Münster, University of Applied Sciences, Germany); Professor Frank Azeke, (Director Major Gifts and Asst. Professor, Business & Entrepreneurship, American University of Nigeria); Tammy Darmel Moore (Founder of Footprints in Africa) and Dr Franklin D. Redd Jr. (Founder/Principal, Embassy Capital Group, LLC.
Others include Sophia Shepodd, CEO of Global Islamic Investment Impact Forum (Advisory Board Vice Chairperson); Dr. Larry Jone-Esan (E-Village Director of Academics); Sahil Affriya, Principal Savant Capital Cape Town, South Africa; Modupe Marc-Dawodu (Managing Consultant, MarcForte Business Consulting; Mrs Raliat Oyetunde (CEO/Lead Consultant at Prinsult Global Consulting Limited) and others.
In addition, the project is expected to bring together aspiring entrepreneurs, start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), international institutions and multinational corporations into the same space, thereby creating an “explosive economic boom”.
Interestingly, according to Dr. Francis, the E-Village is also targeted at entrepreneurship development with a focus on 40 percent women, 15 percent of persons living with disabilities, and 45 percent youth, in order to reduce inequality and create a sustainable economy.
