By Dipo Olowookere
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has disclosed that the Harmony Hub (Computer Village) in Ilorin would directly employ about 600 youths when fully operational apart from the hundreds of indirect jobs that would be created in the process of its construction.
Speaking at the foundation laying ceremony of the facility, Mr Ahmed noted that the Computer Village, which is estimated to cost N500 million, was part of his government’s commitment to the expansion of employment opportunities and entrepreneur development.
According to him, the project would be funded through contractor financing as well as pre-sales or off-taker arrangements.
He said Information Communication Technology (ICT) has huge potential of employment generation and empowerment.
“Nigeria’s ICT sector is reputed as the largest in Africa with $18b investments and 28 per cent internet penetration as of 2013,” said the Governor.
Mr Ahmed promised that his government would continue to work with the network of investors, and other stakeholders to deepen the supporting infrastructure and ensure that quality standards are maintained across board with a view to accelerating the momentum of the ICT sector in the state.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Board of Directors of Harmony Holdings Limited, Professor Halidu Abubakar identified ICT as an integral part of doing business across the world, pointing out that the Computer Village would create specialised market for computer and allied instruments.
Earlier in his address, the Group Managing Director, Harmony Holdings Limited, Mr Tope Daramola had disclosed that the edifice would sit on 4,600 square meters of land.
Mr Daramola added that the Computer Village would host a cluster of high-tech businesses and associated businesses that favour Information Technology related business that would enable the state to serve as hub in ICT.
Adedapo Adesanya