Prepare for failure as part of digital innovation success -Pantami

Prepare for failure as part of digital innovation success! This statement is credited to the Federal Minister of communications and digital economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami while delivering the 12th convocation lecture at Achievers University Owo on Friday 9th December, 2022.

Addressing the august gathering on digital innovation and entrepreneurship as panacea for unemployment, Prof. Pantami disclosed that in the quest for digital innovation and entrepreneurship, the talented minds who will explore these vast opportunities must consider failure in the process. He reminded the audience on Facebook founder,Mark Zuckerberg, Zoom founder, Eric Yuan and other scientific innovators who passed through teething challenges, and perhaps failure before they rose to stardom. 

"China is the second nation with the largest economy", Pantami remarked in his lecture highlights. He stressed further that digital innovation and entrepreneurship is the major tool that can drive a nation's economy to eradicate unemployment. "In Nigeria, bureau of statistics has it that 42.5% of Nigerian youths are unemployed. Africa has about 420 million youths out of which only one sixth of the population is employed. Whereas, Nigeria has about 140 million in the entire 420M population", Isa Pantami highlighted.

"Unemployment  in Africa is very worrisome", the minister exclaimed! Speaking further, he disclosed that  South Africa has 33.56% unemployment and Niger is one of the Africa countries with the least rate of unemployment, which is just 0.3%. He further stressed that Informal jobs are absolutely unable to be covered in the statistics because the society seems to be largely informal. "It becomes necessary to review the situation using digital innovation and entrepreneurship to curb unemployment", Pantami emphasized. He disclosed that there are many opportunities out there in digital economy for the students and interested individuals to embrace to combat unemployment. 

Speaking from the point of curriculum and the university systems, the Honourable Minister enjoined lecturers to embrace research and innovations. "Curriculum does not teach itself.  We should be passionate about teaching and research. Don't go into research for the purpose of promotion! Your research works should receive boost when you become Professors and be ready to provide mentorship", Pantami advised. 

In his remarks as the chairman of the occasion, the Olowo of Owo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, the Monarch lauded the Management of Achievers University for bringing the right person to speak on matters like digital economy. "I see in four years time and beyond, many innovators and entrepreneurs would have sprung up amount you" proclaimed the King to the students. He urged the students to make good use of the opportunities out there and the convocation lecture from an erudite scholar of the person of Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami. 

It would be recalled that Achievers University is the first private university in Ondo and Ekiti states. Giving the vote of thanks, the Pro-chancellor and Chairman of Council, Hon. Dr. Bode Ayorinde appreciated all the guests and in particular, the Honourable Minister of Communications and digital economy for warmly accepting the invitation. He acknowledged the presence of the Royal fathers, His Imperial Majesty Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III and Oba Kokumo Olotupa Alale of Idashen land. "Our joy knows no bound having all of you present in our great university and peace-loving Owo kingdom", Ayorinde graciously expressed.

In her reaction, Mrs. Mezie-Oscar Vivian Omolara, one of the alumni who also has two children in the university, expressed her gratitude to the university for the developmental projects the university has embarked on. "When I got here, I thought am in Canada. The development seen here in comparison with this age is very commendable", Omolara heartily expressed. She expressed satisfaction in carrying certificates of the prestigious university. She further encouraged the management to continue to improve on the good job of satisfactory teaching and research. 

Meanwhile, one of the students also interviewed by AGES, Oscar Francis, a first class grade 300-level computer engineering student commended the guest lecturer, Prof Isa Pantami for the enlightenment through the presentation and acknowledged the fact that digital innovation and entrepreneurship is what Nigeria really needs now. 

In attendance.at the event were Prof. Samuel Olabanji Aje, the University Chancellor, Justice and Mrs. Isa Salami,  Rev. Canon Bayode Oladimeji, the Registrar of the University, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed NUC Executive Secretary, Oba Kokumo Olotupa Alale of Idashen, Kabiyesi His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ogunoye III with their prominent chiefs, Dr. Ahmed (FMC), Justice Olateru Olagbegi, Prof. Olutayo (Bowen University), Alhaji Disu Sule, Hon. Chief Solomon Adenegan and Prof. Ayo Korede, VC Trinity University. Others include Dr. Olufemi Olisan, Chairman Trinity University,  Achievers University Council and Senate members, Board members of the ministry of communications and digital economy, Abuja, the University students, and host of others. 

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