Obaseki Urges Current Govs to Invest in Emerging Technologies

Emma Okonji

The former Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has urged all current sitting governors to invest in emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoTs) in order to promote digital transformation in their respective states, insisting that technology will drive state and national development.

Obaseki who said this in Lagos at the weekend, during the 31st anniversary dinner of the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), where he was honoured with the ‘Digital Governor of the Year Award’ for his outstanding contributions to technology development in the state during his tenure, advised all sitting governors to invest in technology in order to develop their states and empower their citizens. 

“Any government, organisation, institution or community that does not invest in technology and does not utilise technology for the benefit of the citizens, will most likely become extinct in the very near future. Government must play a key role to create the interest and enabling environment for digital developments to thrive in their states. Africa and Nigeria must embrace emerging technologies to develop the people and I am glad we were able to prioritise technology and digitize innovation during my tenure as governor of Edo State. We are indeed glad and honoured that our modest efforts to transform the state into a digital home was noticed and acknowledged by ATCON,” the former governor said.

Obaseki who spoke to the audience via video conferencing, expressed his happiness over the award. He dedicated the award to the hundreds of digital champions in Edo State, whom he said, worked tirelessly and put in their own hours to ensure that the internet and the various tech solutions that were deployed in the state, were able to support the state’s digital transformation initiative that empowered teachers, health workers, web implementers, and administrators who use Geographic Information System (GIS), including security operators, all of whom use technology to provide services to the citizens.

In his welcome address, the President of ATCON, Mr. Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, said the gathering was to honour the legacy of innovation, collaboration, and unwavering commitment that has defined ATCON’s journey in transforming the telecoms sector in Nigeria. “Through the collaborative efforts of past leaders, members, and stakeholders, ATCON has navigated complex challenges during the advent of GSM, broadband expansion, and more recently, the digital transformation era. We owe this success to the visionaries who have led ATCON in the past,” Emoekpere said.

The gathering is also a special one, as we take a moment to celebrate the individuals and institutions that have significantly contributed to the growth of our industry,” Emoekpere further said.

Highlight of the gathering was the launch of a book titled: ‘100 Leading Telecoms & Digital Economy Personalities in Nigeria’.

The book, which has 200 pages, highlighted how telecoms experts contributed to Nigeria’s digital economy growth, through creativity and digital innovation at workplace, the future plan for creativity and digital innovation, as well as the challenges they faced in driving such initiatives that positioned the telecoms industry to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s GDP and national development.