Bank of Industry, BOI, has assured the Bayelsa State Governor, Honourable Seriake Dickson of sustained partnership with his administration in creating the much needed opportunities for the people especially youths in the state to acquire skills to become entrepreneurs and self sufficient.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei quoted the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of BOI, Mr. Olukayode Peter as having given the assurance when he led top members of the bank on a courtesy visit to the Governor at the Government House, Yenagoa.

In a remark, Mr. Peter said the BOI decided to build tech hub facilities in the state to deepen support towards building a structured, highly active and productive digital ecosystem in recognition of the important role information and communication technology plays in promoting economic growth and technological advancements.

He stressed that the collaboration with the state government would provide a dynamic interaction platform between entrepreneurs, technology, business and education.

“This initiative will enable start-up and existing entrepreneurs to have access to mentorship, incubation support and funding necessary to develop successful and sustainable enterprises. It will also serve as a standardised ICT examination and facility skills development centre”.

According to him, the tech hub facility is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities expected to provide the desired infrastructural support for both young and existing enterprises as well as provide business opportunities towards enhancing growth in the market place.

Mr. Peter however assured that the Bank of Industry would continue to develop new strategic partnerships and strengthen existing ones with both private and public enterprises in the state.

He also disclosed that the BOI is currently engaging some industry partners towards developing a tech start-up value chain program which would cover large scale digital skills, capacity building and mentorship, incubation/accelerator and market development programme, including tech funding platform.

“The plan is to roll out across all the 90+ tech hubs in the country. This scheme shall provide opportunities for youths and tech entrepreneurs to access the requisite finance and business advisory services to start or grow their businesses”.

Responding, Governor Dickson, who inaugurated one of the tech hubs donated by Bank of Industry in Yenagoa, thanked the organisation for its continued support and interest in Bayelsa, saying the tech hub would create a lot of business men/women and entrepreneurs in the state.

He urged the BOI to collaborate with the state government in the ongoing construction of garment and leather factory in the state to boost the chances of young people to become successful through business.

Governor Dickson however called for sustained partnership between the state government and the BOI, stressing that the relationship has been mutually beneficial for almost eight years.

“I want to thank you for the tech hub that you have donated to us. The one at the Transparency Building is ready for use. The other at the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Sagbama LGA, will very useful to the young people who will be passing through the institution”.

“I want us to sustain this collaboration that we have started. This is why we are building a garment and leather hub, we are very passionate about this. A lot of progress has been made and we call on you to support that initiative”.