Determined to deliver on the promise to create millions of jobs in the technology space, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has proposed November 2023 to launch the $617.7 million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) programme.
To ensure this unfolds into a reality, Vice President Kashim Shettima has given marching orders to members of the i-DICE Steering Committee, tasking them to make sure the programme starts before the end of November this year.
The Vice President gave the directive on Friday when the i-DICE team gave him an update on the progress made so far during a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He emphasized the importance of the initiative to the Government’s digital jobs drive, saying the administration is keen on delivering on its promises to Nigerians.
Accordingly, he urged all partners in the i-DICE programme to ensure judicious utilization of the funds, noting that the $617.7 million scheme could be a game changer.
The Vice President stated: “The peculiarity of the challenges we face in the country demands that we have to create jobs for our teeming youths to address the crises associated with youth unemployment. I want to appeal to all of us here to unite and see that this programme takes off by the end of November this year.
“I am interested in getting a weekly update on what is being done to kick-start this programme. We also need to spread out to cover the whole country so that there is inclusivity. If we judiciously utilise these funds, the target impact and anticipated benefits will be immense.
“I want to assure the technical committee, all those working on this programme and our international partners that you will get all the support that you will need. We mean business.
“My boss, President Bola Tinubu, is passionate about the transformation of this country. So, you have nothing to worry about the government’s support.”
Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun described the project as key to the promise of President Bola Tinubu, particularly to the youth, for the creation of 1.2 million digital jobs.
On his part, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijjani, said the scheme is a unique opportunity.
Also present at the meeting were the Ministers of Science and Technology Innovation, Mr Uche Nnaji; Industry Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite; Arts, Culture and Creative Economy and Hajiya Hannatu Musawa, among others.
(VON / vitalnewsngr.com)
