Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Saturday, disclosed that the federal government will establish an Innovation Fund that is geared towards creating opportunities for Nigerian youths to have access to funds for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant-Media & Publicity, quoted the Vice President to have said this while speaking at The Platform, a public engagement forum organized by the Covenant Church led by Pastor Poju Oyemade.

While calling on Nigerian youths to support the change mantra of the President Buhari administration, Osinbajo said “we must not blink, no shaking until we turn this country around.”

He further highlighted other plans of the administration.

They include:

– Establishment of technology innovation hubs across the country; 2 super hubs ( in Lagos and Abuja) and 6 regional hubs in the six geo-political zones in partnership some major technology companies.

– 65,000 young Nigerians to be trained in hardware and software services and in animation.

– to create a reservoir in technology capacity that can be exported annually abroad like the case of India.

– on June 23, 2016, Federal Government would launch a Presidential Technology Innovation Initiative targeted at 50 Nigerians engaged in innovative start-ups to be mentored by major technology innovation companies.

– bursary award to 100,000 STEM undergraduates developing their interest in programming, robotic and animation technology, in addition to deploying technology in the training of the 500,000 teachers that are expected to be employed under the social investment of government this year.

– VP’s Office to institute a literary prize in poetry and short stories during independence anniversary to encourage field of humanity/arts.

The Vice President also noted that innovation and technology is critical for the growth of the country, saying that “the key to change and our future prosperity lies in innovation and is critical to our development”.

Osinbajo reaffirmed the resolve of the present administration to institute accountability and probity in government.

“It’s a new day in Aso Rock. Nearly a year on- there are many problems and many have asked where is the change? Is this the change we voted for? Even some fifth columnists in our midst have suggested bring back corruption.”

“The government of President Muhammadu Buhari is completely and irrevocably committed to change.”

“We believe that though it may not be easy, though the early signs may be confusing and sometimes discouraging, there has never been a better opportunity than now to turn the country in the direction of success.”

“today we have the best opportunity in decades for profound change. It is an opportunity in a generation. A revolution whose time has come.”

“Everything around us tells us that the moment is now! Can this change happen? Yes it can! Yes it must! What do you have in your hands to make it happen?

“We have a country that is tired of corruption, tired of leadership without values, tired of an economy that is neither designed to accommodate enterprise, nor to create opportunity and wealth for the majority.”