- · 3 Startups Win USD$10,000 Each
- · Witnesses over 2000 Attendees
Enugu,
December 15, 2017: Technology has been identified as a
powerful tool to redeem and redirect the economy of Nigeria, especially the
South East region. This is the unanimous view of speakers and panellists at GenesysIGNITE
2017, regarded as the biggest annual convergence of technology hubs and start-ups
in the region.
The GenesysIGNITE start-ups convergence
was held in Enugu on Friday, December 15, 2017
by Genesys Tech Hub in collaboration
with CFAtech.ng; where three
start-ups presented with cheque worth USD$10,000 each after emerging victorious
at the pitch sessions.
Speaking at the epoch-making event with over 2000
start-ups drawn from Enugu, Abia, Uyo, Imo, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi and other
neighbouring states in attendance, Senator Ken Nnamani, erstwhile President of
the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria, reiterated that the future of Nigeria
belongs to the digital economy and will become visible if the country
strategizes properly.
Senator Nnamani who chaired the event, underscored
the need for educational institutions, especially the universities to ‘feed’
the technology industry with skilled manpower and graduates fit for purpose. He
also showered encomiums on Genesys for the foresightedness in organising the
event capable of igniting mind shift among the youths “from election ballot box
snatching to technological evolution in the region”.
“What Genesys is trying to ignite in the South East
and Enugu State in particular is awesome, by opening the eyes of our young
people to tech disruptions and opportunities. It is important, because our
people are ingenious and if we can apply the ingenuity in the tech ecosystem we
can compete with the Silicon Valley. It is high time we shift our ingenuity
from snatching ballot boxes during elections, and channel the strengths towards
technology.”
Meanwhile, 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.
Presenting the cash prizes to Tutor Finder, PlayJoor
and House of Uwe, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, the Minister of Science and Technology,
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.”
Dr. Onu added that the Ministry through the National
Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), the Federal government
is addressing issues related to patent and intellectual property as means to
safeguard investments and ideas of the young people.
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, Professor 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.
“Digital Access Programme (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,” the EVC said through Mr. Tony Ojobo,
director, Public Affairs at the Commission.
GenesysIGNITE 2017 has laid a solid foundation for technology
development in the south east and south south regions of the country.
ABOUT GENESYSIGNITE
GenesysIGNITE
is an annual
Southeast Startup Convergence that seeks to congregate young
entrepreneurs/start-ups and innovation hubs from all parts of the south-east
and south-south regions. For more information, please visit http://www.genesystechhub.com/genesys-ignite