Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher; winner, 2016 Etisalat Prize for Innovation (Idea Category), Tobilola Ajibola; Chief Executive Officer, MainOne Cable, Funke Opeke; Judge, 2016 Etisalat Prize for Innovation, Ikechi Nwokah and Director, Digital Business, Etisalat Nigeria at the 2016 Etisalat Prize for Innovation award ceremony in Lagos at the weekend
By Daniels Ekugo
Nigeria’s most innovative telecommunication services provider, Etisalat, has announced the winners of the 2016 edition of the Etisalat Prize for Innovation. They are“One Medical” for the Most Innovative Product/Service category and“Dresses by Aloli”for the Most Innovative Idea category.
Prizes to the winners were presented at an awards ceremony which held in Lagos at the weekend by the Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher and with support from the Director General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) Dr. DanAzumi Mohammed Ibrahim andthe Chief Executive Officer, Main One, Funke Opeke.
While congratulating the winners, Mr.Willsher, said that Etisalat Prize for Innovation is a demonstration of the company’s belief that Nigeria’s developmental needs can 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.
Mr. 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 Olubusiand Oluwole Gbenga whose entry, “One Medical”,beat those of other contestants to win the N5 million coveted Prize.
In the Most Innovative Idea category, Tobilola Ajibolatook home the N2 million prize money forher idea, “Dresses by Aloli”, which was adjudged the most outstanding.
In his reaction after receiving the award for the Most Innovative Product and Service, Ojeniyi James 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 utilization 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.