Governor Ademola Adeleke has received praise for his bold decision to domesticate the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA) from attendees of a stakeholders' engagement organized by the Osun State government and the federal government.

Segun Solomon, spokesperson for the Forum of Digital Technology Entrepreneurs (FODITE), made the observation at the stakeholders' engagement held over the weekend in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, that Adeleke's actions not only put Osun ahead of other states but also made the entire nation aware of Osun State's status as a digitally inclined nation.

He went on to say that the private sector was fully prepared to help the state government succeed in domesticating the Startup Act and pledge support for the state government in all of its digital economy and information technology-related endeavors. He elaborated: This is a good time to be from Osun, and I sincerely commend Governor Adeleke for the enormous progress he has made in the few months he has been governor of Osun state.

“What he has done especially with domesticating the Nigeria Startup Act has placed Osun ahead of other states in the Southwest and in Nigeria at large as well as announce the state to the whole nation as a digitally inclined state.

“So, in the private sector, we are glad, we are happy to be part of this and we are ready to support the government in all its digital economy and information technology related activities.”

Talking at the occasion, the Planning Chief, Service of Development, Science and Innovation, Kehinde Jimoh, said each partner was conveyed along in guaranteeing appropriate taming of the Demonstration.

“The Osun State Government wants to use this bill to develop the youths, to engage them meaningfully. What the state is targeting is to ensure that this Startup engages them and channels their knowledge to something positive.

“For example those of them involved in Yahoo Yahoo, they are intelligent, before you can swindle someone, you must have performed some intellectual mathematics but instead of doing this negatively they will be made to deploy their energy positively, their energy and potential can be tailored towards developing the state.

“When eventually domesticated, it will address youth unemployment, restiveness and other social vices,” he said.

The State Adoption Lead for the Nigeria Startup Act, Mrs. Tracy Okoro-Isaac, also spoke at the event. She stated that the Act could have controlled youth emigration, even to Lagos State and Abuja, but it would have allowed them to stay and fulfill their potential.