Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has reaffirmed his commitment to create over 26,000 direct and indirect jobs and inject over $14 million into the state economy annually through the ongoing Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ) project.
Speaking at the Ikogosi Resort during a stakeholder engagement workshop on the EKZ project, the Governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Niyi Adebayo, said the initiative is designed to position Ekiti State to fully benefit from global technological change.
Oyebanji described stakeholder engagement as a proactive step aimed at ensuring effective collaboration between all participants. He highlighted that the program will help build trust, promote innovation and ensure long-term success by leveraging diverse perspectives and preventing avoidable conflicts.
He urged participants to actively participate in the workshop, emphasizing the need for each actor, both individually and collectively, to understand and play their role in achieving the project’s objectives. Furthermore, he highlighted that all institutions must align with the shared vision, especially now that the world is advancing rapidly, driven by data, artificial intelligence, cutting-edge research and digital innovation.
The governor said: “My government firmly believes that the prosperity of Ekiti State will be based on the strength of its people, their talent, creativity, resilience and intelligence. That is why this initiative was conceived as a hub where government, academia, innovators and the private sector can collaborate to solve real problems, accelerate public sector transformation and create new economic opportunities for our youth.
“My vision for the State is one where many Ekiti youth can work for global companies without leaving their communities. We will continue to provide an enabling environment not only for the Knowledge Zone to be a success but also for the entire State to be a model of progress and achievement.”
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In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transformation and Service Delivery (OTSD), Dr. John Ekundayo, emphasized the importance of developing problem-solving software and applications that truly add value to society. He urged relevant stakeholders to look beyond academic certificates and focus on how they can meaningfully contribute to social development.
EKZ Project Coordinator, Mrs. Lolade Olutola, also spoke, noting that the workshop marked an important milestone in positioning Ekiti as a premier destination for innovation, technology, research, business development and talent competitiveness. He explained that the engagement brought together a diverse network of stakeholders, including MDAs, higher education institutions and cluster centres.
Describing Governor Oyebanji as a visionary leader, Olutola said the governor’s strong and visible commitment to the Knowledge Zone initiative is not only commendable but also serves as a great encouragement to all stakeholders.
The Chairman of the EKZ Steering Committee, Dr. Emmanuel Akinwumi, explained in his speech that the Knowledge Zone model has proven to be successful on several continents. He cited California in the United States as a notable example, which achieved global recognition by establishing its own knowledge zone, noting that such initiatives often attract clusters of industries and companies wherever they are implemented.
He also called on indigenous Ekiti people in the diaspora to invest in their countries, highlighting that they all have the potential to be agents of change.
Newslodge