Stakeholders have charged the Osun State Government to collaborate with the private sector in order to achieve its innovation plans for the state. This was the crux of the issues at the maiden edition of the Innovation Stakeholders’ Dialogue held at the Opolo Global Innovation Hub, UNIOSUN Campus, Osogbo, on Wednesday, 31st May, 2023.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Kayode Jimoh noted the state government’s belief in innovation and entrepreneurship as key tools in tackling the problems of unemployment, climate change, health, education and social inclusiveness. Jimoh further highlighted the different efforts of the state government to support innovation in the state. These include creating supportive policy and legal framework such as the domestication of the Start-up Act, Osun State Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (OSSTIP); Osun State Information and Communication Technology and Digital Economy Policy as well as the Osun State Startup Bill (a domestication of the Start Up Act). He also averred that the government is working towards improving internet penetration, establish local hubs and stimulate networking and collaboration among innovators and entrepreneurs in the state.
In his opening speech, Dr. Rasheed Adebiyi, Head of Branding /Strategic Communication stated that the essence of the Innovation Stakeholders’ Dialogue is to create a platform for meaningful conversation between critical stakeholders for the advancement of issues on innovation, entrepreneurship and youth development. He noted that the first edition was to x-ray the innovation plans of the government with the aim of exposing collaboration, partnership and other opportunities in the innovation sector in the state. He said it is a monthly session that will focus on issues that matter in innovation, enterprise, and youth development.
The event, which featured presentations and a panel/ interactive session, was attended by start-ups, emerging entrepreneurs, the tech ecosystem and other players in the innovation sector in the state.