The Lagos state governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has promised to provide institutional and infrastructural support for the growth and development of the technology sector in the State if elected as Governor in 2019.
Sanwo-Olu made the pledge on Friday, November 9, 2018, during the Digital Lagos event hosted by Vibranium Valley where he addressed tech community of start-ups, developers and tech innovators.
The APC Governorship candidate said technology is changing the way people live, work and socialise, adding that social and governance problems are also solved with technological innovations especially in a city-state such as Lagos with a Gross Domestic Product of more than $136b dollars.
Speaking on the importance of Digital Lagos as a veritable platform for the transformation of the country, the APC flag bearer who was accompanied to the event by his deputy governorship candidate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat said the huge investment in technology and creation of an expansive learning facility like Vibranium Valley will give credence to the saying that Africa is the future of the world.
He promised that when elected, his government will work in partnership with the technology sector to solve social issues such as creation of employment opportunity, mentoring, entrepreneurship, education, health, transportation and to also improve the revenue profile of the government.
‘‘I’m aware that technology is the oil of today. Some ten years ago, the richest companies in the world were oil and energy giants, but the tide has changed. What we have today are technology companies dominating the global economic space. With technology, transparency and accountability in government become easier and possible. Technological innovations are helping social enterprise address social problems. Tech is accelerating SME evolutions and the impact of this is positive on the economy, which gives everyone a share of the prosperity created by this system,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu also spoke on the importance of the old Concord Newspapers facility, which houses Vibranium Garden along Murtala Mohammed Airport Road and the owner, Chief MKO Abiola who he said was a man of big idea and notable entrepreneur.
“That you are using the old Concord Newspapers facility as a hub of innovation in Lagos also invokes huge memories and the symbolism of the Chief Abiola. He was a man of big ideas and he represented hope. You are incubating big ideas here that will bring hope and prosperity to Lagos, Nigeria and the rest of the world.”
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate