A Chieftain of All Progressive Congress (APC) and former lawmaker representing Ekiti North Senatorial District, Senator Ayo Arise has commended President Bola Tinubu for prioritising AI technology and innovations in the country.
Arise stated this on a popular TV station while reacting to the recent visit of Bill Gates to the country.
The senator, who said such action has created job opportunities for youths in Nigeria, also called on the National House of Assembly (NASS) to pass more laws that would promote the development of local AI products and innovations in the country.
The APC Chieftain, who applauded the recent launching of the Nigeria AI Scaling Hub by the federal ministry of communications, innovations and digital economy in collaboration with Bill Gates Foundation, also urged NASS to support the country’s economy by ensuring that locally made products are competent devoid of any exploitation.
His words, “There is no better credibility to give to a President who has recognized Bill Gates as an asset to this country and they have given the highest honour possible to be given to an individual in our nation.
“Now, what do you think Bill Gates will do? He’s been working so hard to assist us in many ways, to support some of those initiatives, to support the health sector. Now we were talking about AI, whatever the national assembly has not been able to do, I believe with this singular move, it will get to continue to support our economy.
“I understand he spent over $2,000,000,000 last year and I’m sure that money will be much more in the coming years for the benefit of our people.
“When you look at the National Assembly, they can only make enabling laws that can say, within ninety days of applying for any license in Nigeria, we should be able to grant it but the National Assembly can actually initiate such moves.
“I think we should continue to move and encourage local production, through legislation, there are ways to encourage local production but this is not to say that we should give room for exploitation and the lack of competitiveness.”
