The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC has awarded grants to four Nigerian tech startup.
The grant worths N20 million naira for novel digital solutions to curb insecurity and to also advance Internet of Things(IoT) frontier in the Country.
The Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Professor Umar Danbatta disclosed this in his remarks at the grand prize award ceremony for Virtual NCC Internet of Things(IoT) Code Camp and Hackathon 2021 held in the Commission’s headquarters, in Abuja.
The four startups namely, Clearflow system Hub, Aelaus Engineering teams/Hyech Electronics solutions focused on IoT (Internet of Things) for kidnapping and banditry in Nigeria while Kalibotics, CyberNorth Tech concentrated on assistive robotics for effective e-waste management.
N5million naira grants
The startups were awarded N5million naira grants each, to support indeginous innovations in the country.
Danbatta, who was represented by the Director of New Media and Information Security, NCC, Dr. Alhasan Haru explained that the event was inline with the Commission’s Strategic Vision Plan 2021-2025 and Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan(NESP).
According to him, today’s event aligns with the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP) 2020, which underpins the need to promote local production, local services, local innovation, and the use of local materials.
“This is in line with the Mandate of the Presidential Executive Order 5 of 2017, on the Promotion of Nigerian Content in Contracts and Science, Engineering and Technology.
“The Commission’s Strategic Vision Plan 2021-2025, which captures the need to encourage the development of new technologies and indigenous content, through cutting edge research, to stimulate sustainable economic growth and development in Nigeria is demonstrated through this event.
“In this year’s Hackathon, our goal is to challenge the creativity and harness the innovative prowess of our young digital driven population to develop smart Solutions.
“To leverage on emerging technologies in addressing the challenges of Banditry, Kidnapping and e-waste management,” he said.
Innovative Solutions
Meanwhile, the NCC Commissioner Technical Setvices, Ubale Maska noted that the event has demonstrated the critical role of the telecommunications sector in addressing Nigeria’s social and environmental problem with innovative solutions.
Maska represented by Head, Research and Development, NCC, Kelechi Nwokwo Pledges the commission’s continious support for innovations and nation building.
“To develop innovative Internet Of Things IOT solutions for combating kidnapping and banditry and for effective e-waste management in the country.
“At the close of entry had 54 proposals from 34 organizations but at the end of the two- stage assessment by the panel of judges, Four top startups two from each thematic areas of Hackathon selected to pitch.
“Four final winning digital solutions from indigenous startups,” he said.
Deserving Winners
Meanwhile, Chairman of Panel of Judges, Dr Uche Uwaje said all the entries deserved to be winners.
One of the winners, CEO Clearflow system Hub, Mr Francis Idachaba stated that he would put the grant into judicious use and achieve the goal it was meant for.
Representatives from Security Agencies, telecommunications operators, National Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU and other Sister agencies lauded the initiatives.
Lateefah Ibrahim
