Microsoft, Ciuci Consulting reward winners of iQube Innovative Challenge

As part of effort towards encouraging entrepreneurial skills among young Nigerians, Microsoft and Ciuci Consulting have rewarded winners of iQube Innovative Challenge.

The top 10 winners of the innovation challenge were awarded prizes and certificates for their successful participation in the iQube organised competition.

iQube, which prides itself in innovation, inspiration and insight, is a multi-channel platform, design to foster knowledge sharing and collaboration within corporate business communities.

In the first round of the assessments, 30 entries were selected by the iQube team from the over 500 entries received. After several other rounds, the top 10 contestants were shortlisted for a final presentation to a panel of judges that included Ndidi Nwuneli, founder of Leap Africa; Tara Fela-Durotoye, CEO of House of Tara, and George Ogbonnaya, head of SME banking FCMB.

The top three contestants at the 2014 edition of the Innovation Challenge were Tony Oniwon, who emerged winner of the Innovation Challenge presented an off-line educational solution helping interested candidates prepare for exams, Oluwaseun Temitope Odukoya, who came second, designed an energy solution that converts domestic sewage system, and Salam Habeeeb, the third winner, developed eco-friendly boards from the utilisation of waste.

Speaking at a media briefing, Chukwuka Monye, iQube founder, said “iQube celebrates innovation, creativity, inspires youth and provides insight,” adding that Innovation Challenge ensured that apart from the cash prize given, it provided sustainability for every participant.

According to Monye, “this is the maiden edition of Innovation Challenge and we want to promote it beyond the shores of the country in order to grow innovation. We have also provided a programme to provide monitoring for the top 10 finalists, as a way of sustaining the programme.”

He encouraged the finalists to use the platform to open more opportunities for themselves and try to be focused on the ideas they come up with, so that it can get to the market.

While presenting the certificates to the winners, Monye mentioned that the winner, Tony Oniwon, was present at the last edition of iQube event, with the theme ‘The African Enterprise,’ which held at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom.

Representatives of iQube partners, which include FCMB, Avantgrade, Microsoft and Consumer News and Business Channel, CNBC Africa made remarks and comments.

According to Uchenna Mojekwu, FCMB head of corporate communications and CSR, “once we heard about the programme, we decided to partner because as a bank, FCMB always seeks to promote the society happens to be part of.”

Mojekwu noted that it was great to see young people engage in this platform as it challenged young people to put out some innovative ideas.

To Ope Filani, representative of CNBC Africa, “the success and sustainability of any country depends on how innovative and creative they are,” adding that Africa has a potential to grow and this initiative is key to the future of Africa.

For Kabelo Makwane, Microsoft country manager, Microsoft always participates in innovation, skill development and youth entrepreneurs and the company intends to make it sustainable and provide all the necessary resources to ensure the programme is sustained.

Microsoft and Ciuci Consulting sponsored the 10 finalists to attend workshops and training by seasoned facilitators to equip them with necessary skills requisite for business success.

 HOPE MOSES-ASHIKE & IFEOMA OKEKE