Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada 
….as Governor Abiodun harps on positive reinforcement through Tech Hub for youths
In an effort to fully digitise the security architecture of Ogun State, the State Government on Wednesday took delivery of five hundred telephones and other security tracking accessories from the telecoms network, Airtel to combat crimes in the Nation’s largest industrial hub.
Led by the Managing Director of Airtel, the company said it was poised to partner with the State Government whose vision is to provide focused and qualitative governance and to create an enabling environment for a public-private sector partnership, which it considers fundamental to the creation of enduring economic development and individual prosperity of the people of Ogun.
Prince Dapo Abiodun, who received the gadgets on behalf of the State Security Trust Fund, thanked Airtel for the gesture and urged the company to commit to more, in the aspects of its corporate social responsibility by partnering with the State Government on the TechHub initiatives aimed at engaging Information Technology-savvy Ogun youths and curb the use of knowledge for crime.
Governor Abiodun had last September, launched the Tech Hub on Kobape Road on the outskirts of the State Capital, with a view to extending the same facility to the other two senatorial districts of the State.
The Tech Hub is an open living lab and pre-incubation space designed to be a multi-functional, multi-purpose space for creative social tech ventures.
The Hub affords technologists, social entrepreneurs, government, tech companies, impact investors and hackers in and around Ogun State the opportunity to co-create new solutions to the many social problems in Nigeria.
Prince Dapo Abiodun informed the Airtel management that he was converting some of the 26 model schools built but not commissioned by his predecessor into such idea centres for youth.
He urged the Airtel team to partner the State Government in its quest to turn the negative vices associated with the ICT-savvy Ogun youths at the moment. “Tech Hubs will serve as a positive reinforcement for some of the misguided youths,” he said.
According to the Governor, “26 model schools, which were never commissioned, were inherited from the past administration. Each of them resides in each of our 26 State constituencies. We took one of them here in Abeokuta and we turned it into our first Tech Hub. We intend to have one Tech Hub per senatorial district.
“I want to seize this opportunity to enjoin you to please come and partner with us.
We believe that this should fall in line with your corporate social responsibility particularly in the light of what you’ve done in Imodi (via Ijebu Ode)” he said.
The Governor, who appreciated the Airtel team for the visit, commended them for not just being a business, but a business that renders not only quality services, but also touches lives.
Abiodun, who urged the Airtel team to continue supporting the State Government in all of its endeavours, reminded them that his administration would be hosting the African Drum Festival.
Governor Abiodun used the opportunity to thank the telecoms company for their past support during the Adire and Drum Festivals, as he hinted of upcoming ones and solicited Airtel’s support.
Welcoming the Airtel team, the Executive Secretary, Ogun State Security Trust Fund, Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje, stated that the State Government places high premium on the security of lives and property of the people. He also expressed delight that the company was extending the hands of goodwill to Government to realise this objective.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel, Mr. Olusegun Ogunsanya, said the company was impressed with the security arrangement put together to secure lives and property as well as measures already put in place to provide a conducive environment for businesses to thrive in Ogun State.
He noted that the company, apart from involving in its business venture, had undertaken a number of community support activities.
Ogunsanya said the visit was to complement Government’s efforts towards providing adequate security for the people, adding that the company was impressed with the level of transparency and openness of the administration, which he said further assured investors that the Ogun environment remains business friendly.
