The Kukah Center in collaboration with Greysoft Technologies has concluded plans to give awards to young Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in startup innovations in the Nigerian technology ecosystem and beyond.
The award tagged ‘Kukah Prize for Young Innovators’ which comes up on the August 31 in Abuja, is part of the activities to celebrate the 70th birthday and the recognition of the national and global status of the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, founder of the centre.
Bishop Kukah is known as a quintessential intellectual and a promoter of modern trends in resolving the challenges of society through investment in innovations, energies and talents of the young people.
The Microsoft Africa Development Centre and other international high-tech brands are also partners in this quest to develop the digital skills of the Nigerian youth to make them more competitive globally.
Executive Director of the Kukah Centre, Reverend Father Attah Barkindo told a news conference in Abuja yesterday that the Bishop is really very interested in the development of young people and he believes that the Nigerian economy will eventually have to be run on ideas rather than on oil.
“That is why this award is set up to recognize the innovation and creativity of the young people in Nigeria who are mostly unemployed and the environment that will support them to bring their talents to being,” he said.
Chairman of Greysoft Technologies, Dr. Manzo Daniel Maigari told the conference that ‘’ in awarding this prize, we are recognizing the inspiring role played by the Bishop in advancing and encouraging youths to rise up and realize their manifest destiny in various human endeavors. Apart from spearheading moves in identifying with modern trends in digital transformation; Bishop Kukah remains a symbol of fearlessness in advocating for freedom and democratic rights.
“This award attempts to honour exceptionally brilliant young minds dedicated to the development of their countries in resolving their immediate problems,” Maigari said.
On the selection criterion he said that entries are being evaluated by judges in the startup and tech space across the continent for the most innovative digital solutions in the form of startups or initial concepts which must meet the standard set by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and solving global developmental challenges.
The selection criteria include that candidates shall not have reached their 31st birthday by the time the award is received. Candidates must be African, even though this maiden edition is limited to Nigeria while subsequent ones will encompass Africa, he said.
According to him, the first category winner will go home with N2 million, the second category winner will go home with N1million while the third category winner will be given N500, 000.
CEO of Greysoft, Isah Raphael said “we are looking to empower the youth who can solve global problems not just with money but an opportunity to work with the high-tech companies in the world. Winners will have the opportunity to intern in ‘Microsoft garage’ and work directly with senior Microsoft engineers to develop tangible projects that are solving real problems.”
