By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The Nigerian Communications Commission(NCC) has doled out N20million grants to four startups to support their novel digital solutions aimed at curbing insecurity and advancing Internet of Things(IoT) frontier in the Country.
This is in line with NCC resolve to encourage and support indigenous innovations.
Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta disclosed this in his remarks at the prize award ceremony for Virtual NCC Internet of Things(IoT) Code Camp and Hackathon 2021 held in the Commission’s headquarters Abuja on Thursday.
Danbatta explained that the event was in line with the Commission’s Strategic Vision Plan 2021-2025, and the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP).
The EVC was represented by NCC’s Director of New Media and Information Security, Alhasan Haru.
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, 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 leveraging emerging technologies in addressing the challenges of Banditry, Kidnapping and e-waste management,” he said.
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.
The startups were awarded N5million grants each.
Earlier, NCC Commissioner Technical Services, Engr. Ubale Maska noted that the event has demonstrated the critical role telecommunications sector plays in addressing Nigeria’s social and environmental problems with innovative solutions.
Maska represented by Head Research and Development NCC, Kelechi Nwankwo reiterated that the commission will continue to support innovations for 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.
Chairman of Panel of Judges, Dr Uche Uwaje said all the entries are deserving winners.
Representatives from Security Agencies, telecommunications operators, National Financial Intelligence Unit(NFIU), and other Sister agencies lauded the initiatives.
In his remarks, one of the winners, CEO Clearflow system Hub, Mr Francis Idachaba said he will put to the grant into judicious use.
NCC organized the first edition of this event last year, where winners went home with prizes worth of over N9million.
Sundiata Post recalls that other stakeholders who witnessed the award ceremony are the Representatives of Airtel, 9mobile, Smile, NFIU, NESRA and Institute of Software providers.