According to a news report from Voice of Nigeria, Participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 46 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Jos, Plateau State, have commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State for his efforts in promoting the digital economy, youth empowerment, and sustainable job creation.

The commendation came at the conclusion of their tour of several strategic institutions and facilities in the state.

During their stay from 13th to 18th May 2014, the NIPSS participants visited the International Vocational and Technology Centre (IVTEC) in Ajase-Ipo, Kwara State University (KWASU) in Malete, and Landmark University in Omu-Aran, among others.

Led by Air Vice Marshal A. I. Adamu, the participants expressed their admiration for the state-of-the-art facilities at the institutions they toured.

They said the facilities at IVTEC showed the commitment of Governor AbdulRazaq to vocational training which is in vogue across the globe, noting that the graduates of the centre will not only become self-employed but employers of labour.

The tour of the NIPSS participants was coordinated by the office of the permanent secretary, Political, Cabinet and Special Services, Mrs Esther Folasayo Oluyomi.

Speaking during a meeting with the NIPSS delegation at the Governor's Office, Ilorin, the Special Adviser on Media to the state governor, Alhaji Bashir Adigun, asserted that digital economy presents unlimited opportunities for youth empowerment and sustainable job creation.

“With the right skills and mindset, our young people can thrive in this new landscape, creating innovative solutions, and driving economic growth,” he said.

He said that the state governor, AbduRahman AbdulRazaq, recognises the youth as the driver of development.

He added: “In other words, for us in Kwara, the youths are not leaders of tomorrow but our present leaders who are in the forefront of driving the growth of the state. This can be seen in the number of young people and women in government.

“As a matter of fact, youths constitute overwhelming majority of political appointees in this state by deliberate policy of His Excellency. Our Governor, our leader, has been recognized locally and internationally for this remarkable achievement.

“On assumption of office, our uncommon governor saw this and embarked on projects that will harness the potentials of the Youths. Just a walking distance from where we are, there is a digital innovation hub dedicated for tech startups, digital naturals and training of young people in different information technology programmes to equip them for global tech jobs.

“The first of its kind by any state government in Nigeria. We also have a digital Dolby studio for Nollywood film production. The Governor observed that even when the world recognizes the Nigerian youths as major film producers in the continent, only few of these films make it to major film festivals like Cannes in France and Fespaco in Burkina Faso in West Africa, because of the poor quality,” he said.

The governor's aide said that Kwara is on record in northern Nigeria as the trailblazer in modern digital film production studio, adding that “we have the Sugar Film factory. There is also the Visual Arts Centre which provides the platform for the youths and adults to showcase their visual arts talents in such a way that it will be documented and digitally preserved for future exhibitions.”

He said the governor's social investment programmes target industrious young people to develop their businesses and reduce unemployment in the state. This involves pitching of business ideas and the best ideas are selected digitally irrespective of political affiliations.

“We also have new Eyenkorin Industrial Park in which our State is partnering with a foreign firm for generation of 5000 megawatts of electricity supply.

“In addition, we are soon flagging off a smart city in the state capital intended to leverage effectively on technology for provision of basic facilities in line with sustainable development goals.

“The foregoing are parts of innovative strategies of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to transform the State from analogue to a thriving digital economy and open the State for foreign investors,” Adigun stated.

The state focal person on NSIP, Dr Rabiat Alabere and the acting chairman of KWASSIP, Dr AbdulWasiu Tejidini, also highlighted various interventions of Governor AbdulRazaq in their respective offices aimed at empowering youth, women and the vulnerable.