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Genesys Technology grants $30,000 to start-ups in Enugu

Technology has been identified as a powerful tool to redeem and redirect the economy of Nigeria, especially the South East region. This is the view of speakers and panellists at GenesysIGNITE 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 view of speakers and panellists at GenesysIGNITE 2017.

The GenesysIGNITE startups convergence was held in Enugu last weekend, by Genesys Tech Hub in collaboration with CFAtech.ng; where three startups were presented with cheque worth $10,000 each after emerging victorious at the pitch sessions.

Speaking at the event with over 2000 startups drawn from Enugu, Abia, Uyo, Imo, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi and other neighbouring states in attendance, Senator Ken Nnamani, erstwhile President of the Nigerian Senate, reiterated that the future of Nigeria belonged to the digital economy, and will become visible if the country strategises properly.

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, Founder and CEO, Genesys Tech Hub, Kingsley Eze, 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 startups 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 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.”

Founder, CFAtech.ng, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr., 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, the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, 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.

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