Internet Access Can Promote Entrepreneurship – Experta

A consultant with the Environmental Resources and Spatial Planning, Dr Oluwole Alade-Ojomo,  says quality Internet access in rural areas can promote entrepreneurship and innovation at the grassroots.

Alade-Ojomo made the remark in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, recently.

He said youths in the rural communities would be able to come up with solutions to meet their local and even global needs with good Internet access.

“High speed connectivity, low cost of living and serenity in the rural areas may even attract well-established high-tech companies to set up shops in these communities,’’ he said.

According to the consultant, such situation will create job opportunities and “pockets of innovation” across the country,” he said.

Alade-Ojomo said that providing Internet connectivity in rural areas would enable residents to gain access to vital information needed for their work.

“For example, they can gain quick access to important government information.

“Again, farmers can look for information on the best variety of crops to plant, the most appropriate pesticide to combat plant disease or the latest market figures of their commodities,” he said.

Alade-Ojomo said the need for Internet access in the rural communities could not be overemphasised as it could reduce rural-urban migration and decongest the cities.

“Internet access in rural communities will attract investment which will in turn attract indigenes back home where working conditions will be more convenient,” he said.

The consultant said Internet access was necessary in rural areas because of lack of alternatives such as telephone lines, libraries, newspapers, good road network and efficient public transport system.

He also said that Internet could be used to promote cultures in the rural areas of the country through the development of the Nigerian content and placing such cultures on the Internet.

“Institutions, schools, universities, government and businesses should make their Website so that Nigerians will recognise content of their own culture and background.

“This is important to ensure that the Internet will not be seen as a technology for and from the West, but as something for everybody,” Alade-Ojomo said.