Four exceptional graduands of the SkillUpImo, Season 2 Challenge, a sub-initiative of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s digital transformation agenda, at the weekend, won prizes from the state government and Deputy Speaker, state Assembly, Chyna Amara Iwuanyanwu.
In each cohort of the SkillUpImo project, the Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government organises a hackathon to stimulate the creative prowess of students.
The hackathon is one of the strategic initiatives in the Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA) 2022-2026, which gives a fillip to the goal of equipping 300,000 youths with Industry 4.0 skill sets by 2026.
The weekly challenge winners, who were unveiled in a ceremony at the ministry’s office, went home with cash prizes and job opportunities in Wakanow.com (a travel technology company).
The Wakanow team, led by Gbenga Onitilo, noted that tech companies are excited at efforts of Imo State government in empowering its youths with cutting-edge digital skills.
He stated: “Wakanow’s success can be ascribed to its heavy investment in digital technology.” Onitilo announced the formal opening of the wakanow.com branch in Owerri and invited SkillUpImo trainees for a new experience in travel tech.
On the company’s youth empowerment project, tagged Affiliate, which offers individuals opportunity to become entrepreneurs in the travel business, he advised the trainees to sign up for the lucrative offer.
Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi, expressed happiness with the development.
“Unlike in previous administrations, tech companies are beginning to have footprints in Imo; all thanks to Uzodimma, the visionary and forward-thinking digital governor, who created the enabling environment for tech-driven businesses to thrive in Imo,” he said.
The event’s highlight, which elicited applause from the trainees, was the commissioner’s announcement of N1 million cash prize for top 10 students in Season 3 challenge.
He disclosed that the Deputy Speaker committed to support the Season 3 challenge. Iwuanyanwu, an ardent lover of youths and great supporter of the initiative, donated a cash prize of N400, 000 to the first four winners of the challenge.
A differently-abled trainee, Tenderly Nwakaji, studying Leadership and Entrepreneurship at the Ministry’s Centre, came fourth in video quality, creativity and presentation category. Dandy Alvan, studying video editing at the Alvan Centre, won with 246 likes, 246 comments and 22 shares, being the second runner-up with the highest number of likes, comments and shares.
Winner of the last Cohort 2 challenge, Martins Anyanwuocha, an Intro to Programming student of Poly Nekede, again mesmerised hundreds of other competitors to come grab the second price.
Damian David, a student of Imo State University (IMSU) studying Front-end development, awed the world with the best video quality, creativity and presentation skills to come tops.
