|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
For the first time in the South East and South-South region of Nigeria, a seed investment of USD30,000 in cash and support was awarded to three start-ups as selected by a respectable panel of judges at the GenesysIGNITE technology conference in Enugu.
The event organised by Genesys Tech Hub in collaboration with CFAtech.ng was planned to ensure that technology development transcends to other states and regions of the country apart from the obvious concentration on Lagos and Abuja.
With over 2,000 start-ups drawn form Enugu, Abia, Uyo, Imo, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi and other neighbouring states, experts say that the GenesysIGNITE conference was timely in order to ensure that young people in various parts of Nigeria are also given opportunities to grow in the tech eco-system.
Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology presented the cash prizes of $10,000 each to the three winners; Tutor Finder, PlayJoor and House of Uwe.
Onu said that it was high time various research and development results were pulled off the shelves from the Nigerian universities and turned to commercial products.
“Any nation that produces science and technology experts is always the toast of the world. Genesys is doing what the Government has in mind with regards to youth development – capacity building, incubation, providing venture capitals. I can tell you that the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology will support this platform to ensure that the young people are given a space to express themselves and add value to the economy,” he said.
Kingsley Eze, Founder and CEO of Genesys Tech Hub, said the main objective of the GenesysIGNITE was to discuss latest technology trends that impact the regions, and to proffer strategies for unearthing benefits in the various sectors of the Nigerian economy at large. Through the event, he said, they are also promoting innovative business solutions and ideas, currently propagated in the form of start-ups, within the region, culminating in capacity building and other exigencies to help them thrive.
Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr., founder, CFAtech.ng who moderated the panel session informed the youths in attendance that this is the type of events that has helped fuel the tech revolution in other parts of the country and that they owe themselves a duty to take full advantage of the opportunities that will follow GenesysIGNITE 2017.
On his part, Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) tied digital innovation and development to digital literacy, stating that Government needs to move towards the “pull” strategy with emphasis in the development of appropriate legal framework, applications and local content.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Tony Ojobo, the Director of Public affairs said that the; “Digital Access Program(DAP) is being implemented by the regulator to equip secondary schools across the country with internet connectivity. More than 223 schools have benefited. Internet clouds are being provided within Nigeria’s university and polytechnics to foster improvement in digital literacy and application.”
GenesysIGNITE had in attendance a number of entrepreneurs and industry players.
JUMOKE AKIYODE-LAWANSON
