LAGOS, Nigeria – The Ooni of Ife, HRM, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi the Ojaja 11 CFR has driven technology innovation and youths engagement with the establishment of Ojaja AI(Artificial Intelligence) Centre located at Ogombo in Ajah area of Lagos State.
The AI centre is part of the Ojaja Mall complex which has shopping malls and cinemas all driven by technology.
Speaking on the motive behind the AI centre, the Ooni said the centre will serve as a convergence centre for Nigerian youths to showcase their technology innovations and engage with one another.
Ooni noted that the centre is one of the ways he has given part to.the society especially the youths adding that every materials used in constructing and equipping the mall were made-in-Nigeria products, a testimony to his desire to boost the Small and Medium Enterprises.
He further said Lagos is the seventh state he has replicated such a centre noting that within the next five years, the centre will be built in all the 36 states of the federation.
“Everything that we used to build centres like these are made in Nigeria. This is another project that we have completed that will showcase the strength of Nigeria. We are very conscious of the fact that we can do it in Nigeria. The artificial intelligence centre comprises Ojaja Mall, Ojaja cinemas, and a shopping mall that will be driven by AI. This area is the most concentrated hub for the middle class in Nigeria from the ages of 25 to 40.
We are strategically showcasing that we traditional rulers can make an impact. We don’t just sit in our palaces alone but we make an impact in youth engagement and ensure they are relevant in the society.
It’s a typical example of how we can drive the economy to another level. If the Nigerian government from the local level to the federal government can ensure that everything they are going to use for their projects will be 100% made in Nigeria, it will boost the economy,” Ooni said.
He added: “In this centre , we have the biggest cinemas and a mall where over 75,000 made in Nigeria products are displayed for use by the people. We have three to four million youths in this area so this mall.serves as a convergence centre for them. It’s also a 360 degree mall meaning you can drive round it, it’s not closed. So many innovations will come up here and this is our own way of pulling people together to support the government.
We don’t want to rely on the government alone. We have constructed this in other states too.Youths can display their innovations here. I have over 30 million Nigerian youths on social media following what I do so this is my own way of making an impact. Lagos is the seventh state and we will do all the 36 states in the next five years so that it will help youths to develop their potential. This is our way of driving SMEs.”
Ooni advised the youths to be courageous in showcasing their talents and not rely on the government alone to provide all they need to succeed. He also urged traditional rulers to always give back to youths in their domain through initiatives.
“My advice to youths is that we can not continue to blame the government , we must make impacts like this so the government won’t have a choice but to call us . We shouldn’t write Nigerian youths off. Our AI centre has the best brains of Nigerian youths and a lot of them are doing well. Traditional rulers should live by example. We should showcase the strength of what we can give to our people. Every traditional ruler should have what he will give back to the society.”
