The Federal Government, through its Technology Incubation Centre (TIC), says it will soon commence production of Tricycle buses and Cargoes in Ekiti.
The Centre Manager of the federal agency in the State, Mr. Fasan Babalola, disclosed this yesterday at the 2024 Product Exhibition and Awards ceremony, held in Ado-Ekiti, the State capital, in collaboration with the state chapter of the National Association of Technology Incubation Entrepreneurs (NATIE).
According to him, the ‘Made in Ekiti Tricycle’ (popularly known as Keke NAPEP or Keke Marwa) was part of the agency’s projections for 2025, to be executed in conjunction with Ekiti State Technical College, Ado-Ekiti.
“This should be a thing of joy and priority for all Ekiti sons and daughters because if this is achieved, a lot of youths will be employed directly here for production and indirectly through usage.
“This proposal, therefore, needs support, especially finance, to achieve the Ekiti Tricycle’,” he said.
He also called on both the state government and residents to support its moves in this direction, among others, saying, “Ekiti State Government and residents do not patronize made-in Ekiti products,” and that this is one of the challenges facing the agency.
He said the center was also proposing to have a functional laboratory where Ekiti products, within and outside the center, can be tested and certified fit, even for export.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Babalola said the Centre, in conjunction with her entrepreneurs, had been able to train over 1,000 youths, women, youth corp members, and I.T students in various vocations, while 126 job opportunities had been created.
Besides, he said the center currently has 22 resident entrepreneurs and 12 graduated entrepreneurs, while there are a total of 61 products at the center, ranging from foods, cosmetics, essential oil, animal feeds, pharmaceuticals, herbals, engineering, and building materials, among others.
He said 21 of the products had been certified by either the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) or NAFDAC.
Speaking, renowned journalist and former Senator, Babafemi Ojudu, who was the special guest of honor, commended the strides being made by TIC in Ekiti towards the path of industrialization, saying there was a need to get every young and old person in the state, involved in the project of engaging in what is known as ‘family cottage industries, as being done in advanced countries like China and Italy.
He explained that the way to do this in Nigeria, maybe Ekiti, was simply to start assembling all youths who are extraordinarily creative, intelligent, and industrious and help them develop their talents and sense of innovation.
Also, in a separate address, the state chapter Chairman of the National Association of Technology Incubation Entrepreneurs (NATIE), Mr Lawrence Abiodun, said his members had resolved to continually work and partner with both the TIC and Ekiti government in transforming Ekiti into a hub of industrial and entrepreneurial excellence.
State Commissioner of Commerce, Trade, and Investment, Mrs. Tayo Adeola, in her address, pledged the commitment of the present administration in the state towards an industrious and innovative future for Ekiti.
She said the government would do everything humanly possible to support all the genuine intentions of the TIC in changing the tide of Ekiti from being a predominantly civil service state to an industrial one.
“We desire to ensure that Ekiti people change their mindsets, from being civil service inclined, to business oriented spirit”, she said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Zonal Director supervising all TIC activities in South West States), of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), Mr. Olufemi Olugbenga, described the event as a testament to the remarkable innovations and entrepreneurial spirit that thrives within the Nigerian incubation ecosystem.
He said the technology Incubation program of the federal government was an institutional mechanism deliberately designed to fast-track both local and regional economic development.
Olugbenga emphasized that the Federal Government’s mission in this direction was to create an enabling environment for technological advancements and economic growth for a better future.
NAN reports that highlights of the event include the conferment of awards of recognition, on leading individuals in the state, among them, the State Commissioner of Commerce, Trade and Investment, Mrs Tayo Adeola, and National Vice President of NACCIMA, chief Kola Akosile.
