by Kingseyi Thu Jul 26, 2018 6:12 pmThe Edo State Government-backed Edo
Innovation Hub, a cluster for innovators and
inventors in Benin City, has trained at least 724
entrepreneurs in less than three months of
operation and has now drawn up a sustainability
plan that will see the private sector drive
activities at the cluster.
Cross section of youths at one of the labs
in Edo Innovates, which houses the South
South Innovation Hub, at Institute of
Continuing Education (ICE), Benin City,
Edo State, during the launch of the hub by
Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki,
at the launch of the hub in June, noted
that the government is priming youths to
evolve and strengthen the technology
ecosystem in the state. He added that the
state is going to leverage on technology
for job creation and enterprise
development.
In a statement, Senior Special Assistant to the
Governor on Job Creation and Skills
Development, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, said that the
facility houses the South-South Innovation Hub
with two halls, five training rooms, six fully-
furnished co-working spaces, four rooms with a
total of 100 computers, offices, conference
rooms, outdoor workspaces, among others.
She said of the 724 entrepreneurs, “200 females
are being trained by Microsoft and Tech4Dev; 32
persons participated in LinkedIn MeetUp
sessions to build a vibrant business community
and leverage networking for local and
international businesses; 49 budding app
developers participated in Curators University’s
Artificial Intelligence boot camp; 23 developers
were trained by Hotels.NG on coding and app
development.
“Other partners include Makers Academy, who
trained 40 students on robotics; Pan Atlantic
University University’s Enterprise Development
Centre, trained 59 entrepreneurs on
entrepreneurship and innovation; Siemens,
Impact Hub conducted pre-hackathon
orientation for 25 aspiring entrepreneurs in the
power sector while Microsoft took 50 teachers
on Basic Digital Literacy for Teachers.”
She said that there is a sustainability plan in
place to ensure that the private sector takes the
lead in the growth of the state’s technology
ecosystem, adding that trainings and business
incubation would continue at the facility.
She added that ATC Nigeria donated three fully
equipped ICT centers in Benin, Irrua and
Ekpoma, to deepen the penetration of tech-
driven development across the state.
Explaining that a good number of the firms at
the hub have expressed interest for long-term
partnership with the state government, she said
that the state government is exploring the option
of a trust fund to sustain the hub.
Innovation Hub, a cluster for innovators and
inventors in Benin City, has trained at least 724
entrepreneurs in less than three months of
operation and has now drawn up a sustainability
plan that will see the private sector drive
activities at the cluster.
Cross section of youths at one of the labs
in Edo Innovates, which houses the South
South Innovation Hub, at Institute of
Continuing Education (ICE), Benin City,
Edo State, during the launch of the hub by
Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki,
at the launch of the hub in June, noted
that the government is priming youths to
evolve and strengthen the technology
ecosystem in the state. He added that the
state is going to leverage on technology
for job creation and enterprise
development.
In a statement, Senior Special Assistant to the
Governor on Job Creation and Skills
Development, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, said that the
facility houses the South-South Innovation Hub
with two halls, five training rooms, six fully-
furnished co-working spaces, four rooms with a
total of 100 computers, offices, conference
rooms, outdoor workspaces, among others.
She said of the 724 entrepreneurs, “200 females
are being trained by Microsoft and Tech4Dev; 32
persons participated in LinkedIn MeetUp
sessions to build a vibrant business community
and leverage networking for local and
international businesses; 49 budding app
developers participated in Curators University’s
Artificial Intelligence boot camp; 23 developers
were trained by Hotels.NG on coding and app
development.
“Other partners include Makers Academy, who
trained 40 students on robotics; Pan Atlantic
University University’s Enterprise Development
Centre, trained 59 entrepreneurs on
entrepreneurship and innovation; Siemens,
Impact Hub conducted pre-hackathon
orientation for 25 aspiring entrepreneurs in the
power sector while Microsoft took 50 teachers
on Basic Digital Literacy for Teachers.”
She said that there is a sustainability plan in
place to ensure that the private sector takes the
lead in the growth of the state’s technology
ecosystem, adding that trainings and business
incubation would continue at the facility.
She added that ATC Nigeria donated three fully
equipped ICT centers in Benin, Irrua and
Ekpoma, to deepen the penetration of tech-
driven development across the state.
Explaining that a good number of the firms at
the hub have expressed interest for long-term
partnership with the state government, she said
that the state government is exploring the option
of a trust fund to sustain the hub.
