DEFINITION
The world today is on electronic speed train faster than any technology or development any century has ever witnessed. The 21st century is not just a global village any more, it is an information age. Information currently is the foundation on which global economy is built. Here in Edo State, we can maximise our ancient heritage and build huge trade out of it.
With this common sense idea, we can create the necessary, much needed jobs with our readily available means. If we dwell on the strength of what we have, we can build upon it and create what we need. Let’s access what we have in this State and then examine what we need. We will surely realise that we have more than we need.
If we stop looking over our shoulders, waiting and wishing that some saviours will emerge from the West and help us. And start looking at what is available to us, we will do better. If we refuse to wait for Federal allocation and instead, locate our endowed human and cultural resources, we will excel greatly.
It is very simple, States and nations that stride triumphantly, did so not with some mineral resources. Human resources remain the pride of any nation. From history we understand that cultural heritage or traditional resources help build and sustain undeniable wealth. Culture provides the standard while human ensures, implement and improve on the standard.
In our state, we are best known for our culture and the human energy we command. Our manpower is our strongest point, which can deliver to us what we need. If we put our manpower to work we can achieve more.
THE IDEA
What idea are we talking about here? How can we convert the human energy we have as well as the cultural endowments into working economical energy? Imagine a situation where Engineers wouldn’t have to work as cashiers in the banks. Imagine a world where artisans employ their creativity because they love to, not because they want to be paid.
No matter how we look at it most of our graduates will never work because they are passionate about their work; they will do it for money only. However, there are many other out-of-the-box artisans out there who will be willing to work without pay and yet be passionate about what they do. These are the very few we need to make our plan work. Before going further, let’s make this clear, our idea is not for every engineer or artisan out there, but for those who are willing to employ their skills to make impact.
The big idea is about creatively putting trained engineers/artisans to effective creativity while using them to train others. And on the overall pay them both. A few well trained engineers/artisans should be empowered to employ their abilities to profit the State who empowered them. And while producing profitable products, help train others to be more creative.
To this effect, a creativity site should be located, maybe some where in Igun Street or trade fair centre in Goodwill, Ekenwan Road or some other place in the city of Benin. It could be called Edo Silicon Valley. This site should be equipped with necessary tools needed for development and production of major electronic devices and other artistries. Experts, well trained engineers/artisans should be recruited to be productive, using the tools provided to build products and train others.
How can this be done? What will it takes? What should the Government do? And what difference will it make?
STRATEGIC APPLICATION
1.) The State Government is not required to be committed financially, NDDC and EDOSPADEC should be saddled with the responsibility, to fund and introduce Edo Silicon Valley. At least, they own the State some level of obligation. Projects like this are the reason why they exist in the first place. The Governor should mandate them to take up the Edo Silicon Valley Project.
2.) It is not a big project that will gulp huge cash. All that is needed is a camp-like laboratory. Four major laboratories will do just fine; one for anything woodwork, another for anything electronics and electrical (computers inclusive), another for artistic/sculptural works and the last one for anything fabrication works. All that will be needed are makeshift structures like tents with machines that help make these works easy.
3.) When the makeshift laboratory is in place the best minds first, from our institutions of learning should be recruited. Afterwards, the best of the best artisans on the street should be recruited as well.
4.) Those recruited should outline their different projects which they will make public. Different corporations should be encouraged to finance projects of their interest. They shouldn’t be allowed to influence them, only to provide the necessary finance through the body (NDDC or EDOSPADEC) in charge. They should not have contact with the experts/artisans, only that they should have the credit when the project is successful.
5.) Some kind of monetary reward should be set aside for those experts/ artisans to encourage them. Wages reasonable enough to keep them on their job. These monetary rewards should be allocated to each project group, who should have a group leader, researchers, builders and students.
6.) Once a project is approved and about to run operation, a certain number of trainees (students) should be admitted. They should learn from the experts via a standard coaching system. They too should have some kind of allowance.
7.) When project is successful, the monetary benefits should be shared between those who did the job (experts/artisans) and the State. Patent should be attributed to the experts, named after the project group and accredited to the financiers.
8.) The State would go ahead and spend their share of the money to sponsor the trainees, who were trained in the process to help mass-produce the product just produced by the experts/artisans. While the said experts/ artisans go ahead to pick on a new projects with new trainees.
Strategically, the state must ensures the circle continues (research/production – trainees mass-producing) until there will be no trained professional left without a job in the state. In which case, others without training at all should be admitted to fill the position of the trainee. With the above strategies, we can conquer unemployment in the State and go ahead to reduplicate Silicon Valley in Nigeria.
STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE
Once the idea is successful in the City of Benin it could be expanded to four major towns in the senatorial zones of the State. This unusual idea if fully explored will put Edo State at the forefront of technological development. All technical schools in the State will receive natural revival. The laboratories will serve as research centres to all prospective scientists.
Science courses in the secondary schools will become meaningful for the first time to students, parents and the society. More importantly, foreign investors will certainly love to invest in technological development in Nigeria. And above all scientific development will be greatly encouraged all over the nation.
THE SOLUTION
This is a very vital addition we can’t afford to ignore. Because it will provide more jobs than you can ever imagine. Good, pleasurable as well as lasting jobs. Our development will pick up with the speed of light. Believe me, this will be a huge encouragement for millions of young graduates who goes around looking for behind desk office jobs. They will realise that they can get gold from the mound by employing their creativity. And with time, our young graduates and other youths will not wait anymore to get paid jobs but will take a step further to create jobs for themselves.
FLEXIBILITY/FEASIBILITY
Many experts/artisans out there are looking for how and where to tan their icy minds. Minds buried in books and work without the necessary tools; minds that are becoming cold for lack of use. This idea is timely, because it will provide the needed jobs for millions of young people out there. It will be only a matter of time. It is feasible because NDDC and EDOSPADEC in Edo State are idle; it is the right time to put them to work.
Finally, thanks for the opportunity you have given me to propose this solution to you. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial idea-proffering relationship for total development and betterment of our beloved State.
Yours Faithfully, AUSTIN IMORU (07038114922)
mrgreatworld@yahoo.com
