Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at advancing technological and digital innovation within the Niger Delta region.
This is contained in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama on Sunday, she quoted the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, as stating this during the launch of the second edition of Port Harcourt Tech Expo in the Niger Delta.
Ogbuku said that the NDDC-funded Tech Expo was conceived to convene innovators, entrepreneurs and industry leaders to deliberate on and explore the future of technology in the region.
He said that the commission’s sponsorship of the event underscored its dedication to promoting technological advancement and innovation as key drivers of regional development.
According to him, technology holds immense potential as a catalyst for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta, if strategically harnessed.
“As technology continues to evolve, it is prudent that we adapt accordingly and prepare for the future.
“NDDC stands ready to collaborate with relevant organisations to provide platforms for training and empowerment of our youth.
“This Tech Expo serves as a platform for dialogue, collaboration and innovation, leveraging technology to foster sustainable development within the Niger Delta and beyond,” he stated.
Ogbuku urged leaders of technology firms to develop programmes that would empower young people and equip them with practical, tech-based skills.
He noted that present-day technologies were shaping the future of the global economy and encouraged youths to use digital platforms, particularly social media, as tools for personal growth and financial independence.
“It is our collective responsibility – as individuals and organisations – to determine the direction of our future and what comes next,” he stated.
Mr Alex Onyia, Chief Executive Officer of Educare, delivered insights into emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital entrepreneurship.
Onyia, who was the keynote speaker, highlighted the critical role of innovation in shaping Nigeria’s economic trajectory.
He encouraged young people to make intellectual investments in attaining independence, even as he advocated for a paradigm shift from reliance on crude oil to the embrace of technology.
“Technology represents the future and is indispensable across all sectors.
“There is a pressing need to redirect our focus towards technology, as it remains the only sector capable of unlocking a brighter future for the youth of the Niger Delta,” he said.
