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By Marozoka Oruame
In the evolution of Nigeria’s technology and innovation hubs, rural areas are mostly out of the picture. Most hubs are based in the cities where connectivity, roads and other support-infrastructures can readily be accessed.
But the Ugomba Technology Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub (UTRIE Hub) is reworking this narrative.
Located in rustic Nkanuland, Akpugo, Nkanu-West LGA, Enugu state, UTRIE Hub is modelled to be a catalyst for building capacities, promote diverse economic activities, and improve the prosperity of the rural people where it is located and far beyond Enugu or the entire eastern part of the country.
According to the World Bank, 49% of the Nigerian population are rural dwellers. This sets the focus of UTRIE Hub and defined its role as a transformative engine for all the communities around and not just Nkanuland, said Hub Manager at iHabitat, Glory Eke.
iHabitat, a non-government organisation (NGO), owns and manages the UTRIE Hub. Long before it established the hub, the NGO has been offering free ICT lessons for village kids and helping to expand digital knowledge opportunities for hundreds of teens and young people whose only focus, perhaps, would have been on antique farming and trade.
The NGO runs a similar initiative in Kuje, Abuja, FCT.
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“UTRIE Hub is expected to train about 50,000 youths in emerging technologies and provide conducive co-working environment for fusion and cross pollination of ideas,” said Eke.
She added: “It will also act as a Business Hub that will create international visibility for the local produce such as palm oil, palm kernel, palm wine (ethanol), cassava (pharmaceutical grade starch), and others specially through the application of smart farming (agritech) and cottage manufacturing.
“The Hub will be a knowledge centre for rural schools in diverse areas such as STEAM education.”
Fresh approach to community development
According to its promoters, UTRIE Hub wants to provide a fresh approach to community and economic development in rural places by emphasizing people, local institutions, and systems thinking in a way that will enable progress in spite of limited resources and inadequate infrastructure.
“We are strategically located in close vicinity with Madonna University, Renaissance University and Enugu State University. We are seeking support and partnership through the provision of roads, electricity, conducive work environment among others,” said Eke.
According to her, “UTRIE Hub will also provide hostel accommodation for students coming from afar and also house emerging technologies labs, mechanical workshops, meeting rooms, conference hall, clinic and other amenities to make skill development or acquisition possible, etc.”
Seeking collaborations
A high yield 100-metre-deep borehole is already functional, and currently providing water for the community for free.
She added: “This is the first Hub in the rural area and more should be encouraged for Digital and Financial Inclusion. I strongly believe that this project, solely funded by iHabitat currently, will change the narrative of the roles of hubs in rural communities.
“We are reaching out to all interested organisations and individuals including Nigerians in diasporas for collaboration as we look forward towards the unveiling of this project soon.”
