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Former Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, has urged the folks of Ikenne in Ogun State to set a daring imaginative and prescient of remodeling the city into a number one hub for Artificial Intelligence and expertise in Africa.
Osinbajo gave the cost on Friday in Ikenne whereas delivering a lecture on the fiftieth Ereke Day Anniversary, Community Awards and Investiture of 2026 Ambassadors, organized by the Ikenne Development Association, IDA.
Speaking on the way forward for the historic city, the previous Vice President mentioned the next 10 and 50 years shall be outlined by AI, and Ikenne has what it takes to be on the forefront.
He challenged the group to dream large, noting that nice transformations begin with daring concepts that many initially doubt.
He recalled how the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was informed by colonial authorities that free training was inconceivable, however he proved them incorrect. He additionally cited ValueJet airline, owned by Ikenne son, (*50*) Soname, saying if anybody had predicted 10 years in the past that residents might fly from Ikenne axis to Abuja in the morning and return identical day, many would have dismissed it.
According to Osinbajo, Ikenne already has one of many highest concentrations of small and medium enterprises per sq. kilometre even with out deliberate planning, and will obtain extra with a transparent roadmap.
He due to this fact proposed an Ikenne 2036 Plan, a 10-year improvement blueprint with outlined priorities, prices and yearly measurable targets.
Osinbajo mentioned the plan ought to place Ikenne as a centre for AI-enabled training and for constructing AI instruments, alongside the prevailing curriculum.
He referenced Taiwan, a small island about 81 miles from China, which now produces a big share of the world’s microchips, to present that dimension just isn’t a limitation however imaginative and prescient and dedication matter.
To obtain the objective, he really helpful a sturdy STEAM programme – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics – with early introduction of AI literacy from major college, robotics, AI-powered studying instruments and well-equipped laboratories.
He cited a studying centre in Maiduguri the place youngsters orphaned by insurgency, who initially couldn’t converse English or Hausa, grew to become proficient in robotics, expertise and English inside 5 years when given alternative and help.
Osinbajo harassed the necessity to retrain lecturers as facilitators of AI-assisted studying and robotics, associate with Chinese colleges with robust AI curricula, and set up a campus devoted to AI and superior methods that would supply options in agriculture, healthcare, training and finance.
He urged the city not to accept small ambitions however to pursue what others haven’t dared.
In his remarks, President of Ikenne Development Association, Otunba Olufemi Allen, described the celebration as historic, saying Osinbajo’s presence added immense worth to the event.
Allen mentioned IDA stays dedicated to selling unity and preserving the cultural heritage of Ikenne for future generations, in line with the beliefs of its founding fathers.
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