VOICE AIR MEDIA News Update
As part of activities to mark his 100 days in office, Osun State Governor, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, has unveiled the state’s digital economy policies in the state.
Adeleke, in Osogbo, the Osun State capital on Monday, also flagged off laying of a broadband fibre optic project worth N16 billion to apply information communication technology in various sectors of the state.
The governor, who disclosed that the project would cover 64 kilometres of Osun State and place landmarks of the state on Google maps, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ICT firm, Oodua Infraco, to deploy Fiber Optics across the state.
He stated that the state government, in line with the new National Broadband policy and the urgency of internet Fiber connectivity for Osun State, would wave payment for Telecom Right of Way in return for free connectivity to schools and health centres when the broadband project is completed.
Governor Adeleke said, “My good people of Osun State, we are also harnessing the many talents Osun has in the tech sector. We are putting selected Osun tech leaders from all over the world into an advisory board.
“Today, I am inaugurating the First Digital Economy Advisory Board with 15 members. Their task is to support the state in our dream of transforming Osun into a digital economy state.
“Permit me to commend my team for their wonderful performance on these landmark initiatives. I appreciate the team from the Ministry of Innovations, Science and Technology as well as specialists within the ICT Taskforce.
“You are consequently directed to work on the next phase which is the commencement of implementation of the policies and the initiatives.”
Adeleke said the Osun State Government was in partnership with Oodua Infraco for the execution of the state’s digital economy projects.
He said the policy was designed to identify and apply information communication technology in various sectors of the state, adding that the new policy has ICT in agriculture, education, health, environment, administration, and infrastructure among others.
“This policy will change our state for the better. As part of our digital economy drive, Osun is poised to be the first State to domesticate the Nigerian Startups Act.
“This will be the first Executive Bill I will be forwarded to the State Assembly after this event.
The Act is programmed to ensure that new start-up promoters and entrepreneurs secure desired mentoring and financing. The law once domesticated will enhance the goals of both the ICT and the Tech Innovation policy.
“As e-commerce is at the heart of the digital economy, my administration also launched the Osun Goggle Mapping project. This is to ensure that Osun businesses and landmarks are placed on Google maps to start with.
“When I took over in November 2022, Osun Google Mapping coverage was below 30 per cent. I am happy to record that Osun Mapping coverage is today above 50 per cent. When we are to launch Phase 2, I will host e-commerce giants in Nigeria alongside Google Corporation.
“All the above initiatives cannot see the light of the day without internet connectivity. I was told our state internet coverage is still very low. I am determined to change the narrative. To that end, I am reviving and re-launching today the Osun State Broadband Fiber Optic Project,” Governor Adeleke added.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Oodua Infraco, Sammy Adigun, assured Adeleke that the firm would execute the projects within the stipulated time.