Inoyo, A'Ibom finest In Tech and Innovation Ecosystem, Rally Support for AKS Technopreneurs

...mulls N100m to build the capacity of potential innovators

A former Chairman & President of The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) and Akwa Ibom finest Technology and Innovation expert, Mr. Udom Inoyo has provided the necessary support for Akwa Ibom state Technopreneurs to excel.

Mr. Inoyo provided the support in his keynote address at the just concluded Akwa Ibom Technology Day 2021, grand finale held at the Emerald Event Centre, Uyo.

He stated that the mission of the pitch competition is to support innovative solutions that will stimulate capacity development and enhance economic growth in Akwa Ibom state, hence, the foundation attracted seasoned Akwa Ibom indigenes who are experts in the field of innovation as speakers and facilitators.

The Akwa Ibom Tech Week 2021 is sponsored by the Inoyo Toro foundation.

He said: "as you know, the 21st-century economy will be largely anchored on technology and innovation, and if this country must make progress, we must look in your direction. Society is bedeviled with many problems, but these struggles are also opportunities, which some of you have already identified. I salute you for this, and for being audacious, savvy, and ready to conquer the world, notwithstanding your name, location, circumstances of birth, etc. I thank you because in stepping up to be counted, we are assured that the future of this state is secured and that the industrialization drive of the government of Governor Udom Emmanuel will not be a waste."

The Advisor of Inoyo Toro foundation which has empowered teachers in Akwa Ibom state public schools in the last 14 years told the youths that they planned a pitch competition for innovators in Akwa Ibom State to pitch their ideas and start-ups will hold on October 8, 2021, dedicated only to the pitch competition, at the E-library, Uyo.

About 72 applicants who sent in their applications were invited to the competition.

Mr. Inoyo who expressed delight at the interest and 'hunger' of Akwa Ibom youths to compete nationally and globally, thanked the innovators for sending in their applications.

"I thank you all for sending in your applications and for coming. The interesting and welcome development is that there will be no competition as originally planned today. However, there is great news for you since we want to offer you something different and sustainable."

He announced that the prize money for winners of the competition will be ranging from NGN300, 000 to NGN1, 000,000 for the top 3 winners, to immediately support the advancement of their businesses, sponsored by Barrister Aniekan Ukpanah, the Managing Partner of Udo Udoma and Belo-Osagie, a leading commercial law firm in Nigeria who will also be granting some hours of free legal service/advice to the winner of the pitch completion.

Furthers more, participants will undergo training facilitated by an established Akwa Ibom innovator, Nsikak John, who is Head, Enterprise Innovation at the Nigeria Exchange Group (NGX) with Africa Fintech Academy – a strategic development partner.

Mr. Inoyo mentioned that the Academy will deploy a build and grow boot camp for all the 72 idea owners who turned in their applications with the full value of the build and grow boot-camp/capacity building, as well as community membership, estimated at NGN1.5M per participant and over N100M aggregated value for the 72 young innovators.

The former president of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) explained that at the end of the training camp, all the participants will be inducted into the Africa Fintech Community platform with access to markets, partners, and investors, while the top five ideas will also be given access to provisioning sessions at the NGX Innovation Hub to assess their qualification for either the incubation or acceleration programs.

About 72 Innovators from Akwa Ibom state will benefit from cash gifts and capacity building worth over 100 million from the Inoyo Toro Foundation, and its partners.