Lagos Deputy- Governor urges youths to explore telecom opportunities

The Lagos State Deputy-Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule has urged Nigerian youths to explore opportunities in the telecommunication industry by coming up with ideas that would create wealth for them.

Adebule made the call through Mrs Yetunde Odejayi, Director of Finance and Administration, Office of the Deputy-Governor, at the Etisalat Pan-African Prize for Innovation reception held in Lagos on Wednesday night.

She said that the ‘Prize for Innovation’ programme was a veritable platform for many young Nigerians to showcase their talents and unleash their potential.

”The telecommunications industry cannot thrive without innovative ideas. With this programme, therefore, you are opening windows of opportunities for our youths– to help create such fresh ideas that will promote your business.

”It is on record that Nigeria has the largest market in mobile phones in Africa and the seventh largest in the world.

”Also, Nigeria’s e-commerce market is developing rapidly with an estimated growth rate of 25 per cent annually. This is good news as it will promote rapid socio-economic growth of our country.

”It will also create more job opportunities for our youths and unemployed graduates, ” she said.

Adebule promised that the State Government would continue to provide the necessary enabling environment to attract more investors and ensure the growth of businesses in the State.

In his remarks, Mr Matthew Willsher, Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, said that the initiative was founded on the premise of rewarding the most innovative mobile broadband idea, product, or service that provided a significant utility to mobile users.

Willsher said that the competition was beginning to inspire local software developers and ingenious people to create innovative and relevant mobile broadband products and services that can make a positive impact on the aggregate African economy.

”There is an abundance of innovative talent in technology residing in the continent.

”We believe in showcasing these talents that not only create viable opportunities for individuals but also improve the social and economic livelihood of people who use these technologies.

”At Etisalat, we see ourselves as a young and innovative company, setting the pace for others in the telecommunication industry.

”Therefore, we are glad to see that the Etisalat Pan-African Prize for Innovation is spurring young innovative programmers and young inventors across Africa to be creative, ” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prizes were awarded in two categories– the winner of the Most Innovative Product or Service category launched in the last 12 months will receive N5million prize

Also, the winner of the Most Innovative Idea category will receive N2 million.

Entries for this year’s competition had closed on Aug. 3 and winners would be announced during the awards ceremony scheduled for October in Lagos.