Omolabake Fasogbon
Telecommunications and Technology Sustainability Working Group (TTSWG) has announced the overall winner in its maiden Innovation Makers Challenge (IMC). The winner who won N2 million was expected to further promote indigenous creativity and ingenuities in the country.
The winner, Joseph Ojighor who is the founder of OJ Technologies Limited, pitched a business idea around employing virtual reality to enhance clinical training and competency in Africa.
Ojighor emerged winner out of over 1,716 entries from which initial 20 were selected. The 20 who converged for a three-day bootcamp presented innovations around technology fields, including fintech, health tech, assistive tech, and energy tech. In the end, the five best which included Ojighor were selected and unveiled at IMC 2023 Conference and Exhibition that held in Lagos, recently.
Founder of Kugatel, Elijah Moses and Founder of OneGrid Energies, Valentine Nnamani emerged runner-up and received a prize of N1,000,000 and N500,000 respectively.
Speaking, the Vice- Chair of the TTSWG Board, Dr. Wunmi Hassan, enthused about the level of brilliance and Intelligence displayed by the innovators, as he expressed optimism on the brightness of Nigeria’s future.
Furthermore, Lead Consultant for TTSWG Secretariat and Chief Executive of CSR-in-Action, Bekeme Olowola charged government to do more in supporting talent growth such that will place Nigeria on equal level with global technologies.
“Every byte and bit of advancement in technology is a stepping stone towards our collective progress. In Nigeria, technology isn’t just an industry, it’s a heartbeat pacing steadily to the rhythm of innovation that promises to elevate our national development to unprecedented heights.
“As we applaud all the great progress recorded today, we must ponder deeply at the ethical tapestry of our creations. It is not just about what technology can do but also what it should do. Let us answer the call to wield technology with a conscience. It’s here to enhance humanity, not eclipse it.”, Bekeme Olowola added.
Commenting, Ojighor said his idea was driven by a need to curb incident of medical errors in the country.
“In a world where medical errors claim 2.6 million lives annually, making them the third leading cause of death in the world, my team’s journey to enhancing clinical training and competency through the metaverse using virtual reality technology has taken another leap. Thank you to TTSWG for this initiative”.
