The Gombe State government in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has restated its commitment to domesticating the Nigeria Start-up Act (NSA) in the state.
Mr Abubakar Luggerrewo, Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly while speaking at a town hall workshop towards the domestication of the Act in the state said the move would help empower youths.
Luggerrewo said that the initiative would empower youths and make them more useful and productive in the state.
He said the state assembly was made up of lawmakers who prioritise the interest of the people and give keen attention to any legislative tasks that would empower the youths and children.
“When we receive this bill, we will expedite action on it and ensure that the bill see the light of the day.”
He said that the bill would create an environment conducive for young persons in the state to explore their talents and contribute positively to the development of the country.
For his part, the Gombe State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Adamu Pantami commended the initiative, noting that it would complement government’s efforts at empowering youths of the state.
Represented by his permanent secretary at the ministry, Mr Modi Shelpidi, Pantami said that the state government would leverage all partnerships towards improving the wellbeing of youths of the state.
He stated that the government would continue to embrace any initiative that would drive innovations and technology for the improvement of the lives of young people.
In her welcome speech, the National Coordinator, Office for Nigeria Digital Innovation (ONDI), which is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) of NITDA, Victoria Fabunmi, said NSA initiative was a pathway to innovations and technology.
Fabunmi represented by Mr Hassan Idris, the program officer ONDI, said that the NSA project was a joint initiative by Nigeria’s tech start-up ecosystem and the Presidency to harness the potential in Nigeria’s digital economy.
She stated that the initiative showed President Bola Tinubu administration’s unwavering commitment to fostering an environment conducive to the growth and success of young Nigerian innovators.
She acknowledged the key role start-ups would play in improving the nation’s economic development and providing jobs for youths.
She said that the implementation of the NSA had begun since its enactment in 2022 and part of the implementation was the domestication of the Act at the various states.
According to her, the act is designed to fertilise innovations and economic growth for the country.
She said that the act served as a bold framework to impact start-ups, promote collaboration, and drive innovation.
“However, its true impact lies in the domestication and implementation at the state levels.
“Today’s event is about collaboration, commitment, and collective actions.
“ By working together, government, academia, start-ups and innovators, we can create an enabling environment that position Nigeria at the global stage,” she said.
NSA is a co-created law by the government and ecosystem to unlock Nigeria’s digital economy potential by ensuring regulatory certainty, creating an enabling business environment.
It is also to foster local content to attract investment and create job opportunities.
