The governor of Bayelsa state, Douye Diri has approved N240 million for the Chief Executive Officer of ECO FIP Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Tare Korumene, and N500 million for Winsome Dan-Adere to support their work.
This came after the aforementioned individuals visually presentated their work, in Yenogoa during the launch of the Bayelsa E-Commerce Entrepreneurship Programme.
Themed “Made in Bayelsa, Sold To The World: Driving Prosperity Through Local Commerce,” the programme had over 500 young entrepreneurs in attendance, as the governor promised to make it an annual programme.
Branded, ‘Bayelsa Dunaly Hair’ Korumene produces hair extensions and uses organic materials from plantain stems, Dan-Adere recycles plastic wastes to produce interlocked blocks.
The governor said; “Let us have a paradigm shift from depending solely on revenues generated from crude oil. This is the time for us to move towards where the world is going.
“We have hair extensions such as Brazilian hair made with chemicals. But now we have the Bayelsa hair using organic materials from plantain stem, thereby utilising the full value chain of plantain.
“We will support you (Tariere Korumene) through Premium Trust Bank with the sum of N240 million interest-free loan as a way of encouraging our entrepreneurs. The state government will also support Dan-Adere with the sum of N500 million through the same process. We need to change the narrative of youth dependence by creating empowerment schemes for them.
“The state government has prioritised artificial intelligence and I have directed the Commissioner for Education to include it in our schools curriculum. We have also completed all the buildings in a new ICT hub in Yenagoa. I will appoint a technical focal person to manage the hub. We want to see a new Bayelsa.”
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Diri further emphasized how information technology has taken over the world as he advised Nigerian youths to take their business online.
He also stated that the state government is working towards providing uninterrupted electricity in the state.
“We know that you will require electricity. Our government has therefore procured gas turbines, which by the end of this year enable Bayelsa to have uninterrupted power supply. This is our vision for our youths and this is a legacy we want to leave,” he added.
In his remark, the NITDA Director General/Chief Executive Officer, Kashifu Abdullahi, clearly defined the aims of the BEEP initiative to foster innovation-driven entrepreneurship, which include identifying customer needs, leveraging technology for market expansion, and ensuring profitability.
He said the programme focuses on improving digital literacy with a target of 95% increase in 2030.
He disclosed that the initiative has partnered with the Federal Government and other initiatives like the three million tech talent programme to meet the goal and make Bayelsa the leading centre for technology.
