Emma Okonji
Winners have emerged in the 2016 Etisalat Prize for Innovation competition and their cash prizes were presented to them at the weekend in Lagos.
The winners, as announced by Etisalat, included team ‘OneMedical’ and ‘Dresses by Aloli’.
Team ‘OneMedical’ was announced as the Most Innovative Product/Service category, while ‘Dresses by Aloli’ was announced as the Most Innovative Idea category.
The Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, who made the announcement, also presented the prizes to the winners, with support from the Director-General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Dr. DanAzumi Mohammed Ibrahim and the Chief Executive Officer, MainOne Broadband Company, Ms. Funke Opeke.
While congratulating the winners, Willsher said that Etisalat Prize for Innovation is a demonstration of the company’s belief that Nigeria’s developmental needs could be met through the creation of innovative products and ideas.
“With the Etisalat Prize for Innovation, we demonstrate our belief that innovation is timeless and can be found in the most unlikely places, and created by the most unlikely people. We believe that the change Nigeria needs to move forward can be created through innovative products, services and ideas,” he said
Willsher also reiterated Etisalat’s commitment to support the growth of Tech Startups by creating an enabling environment for collaboration between the small businesses and investors.
The Most Innovative Product and Services category award was won by a team of inventors among whom are Ojeniyi James, Adegoke Olubusi and Oluwole Gbenga whose entry, “OneMedical”, beat those of other contestants to win the N5 million coveted Prize.
In the Most Innovative Idea category, Tobilola Ajibola took home the N2 million prize money for her idea, “Dresses by Aloli”, which was adjudged the most outstanding.
In his reaction after receiving the award for the Most Innovative Product and Service, James, one of the team mates thanked Etisalat for the opportunity to be part of history. He noted that the country is ripe for innovations that can help create sustainable development.
Etisalat Prize for Innovation was created in 2012 to discover and celebrate innovative products and ideas that can help drive broadband utilisation in the country. It also highlights the revolutionary impact of innovation and technology as it addresses social challenges in the country.
Through the prize, Etisalat has discovered and empowered a number of young creative Nigerian entrepreneurs by giving them the opportunity to showcase innovative products, services and ideas that address specific problems in the society and contribute to the nation’s socio-economic growth.
