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Mike Olajide Bags ISPON Best Software Entrepreneurship Award 2017
Mr.Michael Olajide, has received the “Dr. Chijioke Agu’s Cup for Software Excellence”, for the Best Software Entrepreneurship of the Year 2017.
Mr. Oljaide, the Executive Director, Finance and Administration at Sidmach Technologies, was crowned the winner at the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) NITMA Award 2017, held at Muson Center, Lagos.
Presenting the cash award in his office on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, the ISPON President, James Emadoye, said that the recipient has distinguished himself and fulfilled the expectations from winners of the award by showing software leadership passion; investment in IT human resources capacity building; creative contributions to IT industry strategies; youth innovation mentoring; information analysis and data sharing; customer satisfaction and continuing education and training.
ISPON, in collaboration with the Late Simon Agu’s family, established the Simon Agu Prize for Software Excellence, an annual award for the ‘Best Software Entrepreneur of the year’ in a bid to keep alive the excellent contributions of Engineer Simon Agu, to the software profession and industry in general.
ISPON presented the award initiative to NCS, the umbrella body, and it received the blessing and approval for inclusion into the annual NITMA award.
ISPON President said, “It is a great testament, being what you are doing and the entire Sidmach team.
“You are building software experts that will keep the industry thriving after we leave.
“It is therefore, on behalf of the National Executive Council of the Institute (ISPON) that we present to you the awards as the winner of Dr. Chijioke Agu prize for Best Software Entrepreneur 2017 which was awarded to you at NITMA 2017.”
Mr. Olajide, in responding, said that the late software sage, Dr. Agu was a great and visionary man who championed the course for indigenous software development.
“He was a great example to us in the software industry”.
He ceased the time to admonish the government to adopt indigenous software as means to grow the economy.
In his words, “Nigeria’s survivability revolves around the practitioners in the software industry.
“Therefore, ISPON has become a very important Institute. Not because it is ISPON rather we in the software industry have the talents to take this nation to the next level. If we fail, Nigeria is going no where.
“The earlier our Government recognises this, the better for the economy.
“Today, the aural is around artificial intelligence, cloud computing, big data, cybersecurity, et cetera.
“Today, if you give me your farm’s longitude and latitude, I can stay in my office and predict your yield. What makes that possible is software.
“Today, people’s longevity can be predicted. We just have to wake up to the realities and the Government has to wake up to it responsibility by giving the indigenous software practitioners priority.
“It is confusing that Government maintains the penchant for foreign software; something that indigenous companies can handle very well.
“Today, government is crying that those projects are failing. Whose fault is it? Adaptability is important in software development; Nigeria is a peculiar place. So, software must be designed to solve the local needs.
He also called on software practitioners to rally round ISPON as a formidable platform to move the industry forward.
“We have a capable President, who knows his onus. He needs our support to move the industry to a whole new level.
On that note, the awardee donated the cash award to the Institute for the continuation of its advocacy programmes in the country.
“The man who started this showed enough interest and for the good of the industry, young people and software practice in general.
“So, I like to also donate this cheque to ISPON so that it can carry on the good works of advocacy.”
Receiving the cheque, the President appreciated the donor for his magnanimity and support towards the growth of ISPON.
“This is what we talk about: commitment to your nation. We are not working for what to eat today rather for the generations unborn to be proud of us.”
He promised that the donation will be utilised for the purpose it was donated.
“Again, we shall leverage this for the interest of our people, industry and country at large.
“We will keep appealing to the conscience of our people who are ignorant of the damages they are doing to the country for not patronising indigenous companies, especially in the technology space.
“Our technologies are far advanced than what is obtainable in many countries.
“It is a matter of having confidence in our own. It is a pity that our people are using the Condit pipe to siphon money from the treasury.
Well, we will keep fighting for the common good of our country”, Emadoye said.
Simon Agu was the founder and chairman of Computer Industry Systems Associates (Nigeria) Limited which metamorphosed to Neptune Software, a foremost international software company growing from 3 to 100 professional staff, among other contributions he made to bring the Nigerian software industry to the limelight.
The ISPON President was accompanied by the Institute’s Treasurer, Bimbo Abioye; the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Mr. Iyiola Ayoola and the Administrative Secretary of ISPON, Paul Uzoechina.
As the world marks International Youth Day, attention once again turns to the opportunities and challenges facing young people as they prepare for work, financial independence, and adulthood.
In Nigeria, the urgency is clear. According to UNICEF, about 7% of young people aged 15–24 possess basic ICT skills, highlighting a wider gap in the skills required to participate effectively in an increasingly digital economy.
At the same time, the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, continues to prioritize skills development, job creation, entrepreneurship and social inclusion.
For PalmPay, youth empowerment goes beyond corporate social responsibility. It is an investment in the people who will shape Nigeria’s workforce, businesses and economy.
This belief is reflected in initiatives focused on financial literacy, employability, digital skills and access to opportunities.
Through its Graduate Trainee Programme, PalmPay provides young graduates with opportunities to gain workplace experience, develop professional skills and build careers in a fast-evolving industry.
The investment also extends to financial education. Through its NYSC Financial Literacy Programme, PalmPay brings practical financial education to young Nigerians at an important transition point, helping Corps members develop better habits around saving, spending, budgeting and protecting their money.
For young women, Purple Woman provides another pathway to economic empowerment, creating opportunities for internships, learning and professional development while supporting greater female participation in the technology sector.
Speaking on the importance of youth empowerment, Chika Nwosu, Managing Director of PalmPay Nigeria, said: “Nigeria’s young population is one of its greatest assets, but unlocking its potential requires access to the right skills, knowledge and opportunities. At PalmPay, we are committed to equipping young Nigerians to learn, earn and thrive in an increasingly digital economy. We believe that investing in young people today is an investment in a stronger, more inclusive Nigeria.”
These initiatives reflect a broader belief that youth empowerment is most meaningful when young people are given the knowledge, exposure and opportunities to apply what they learn.
A graduate given workplace exposure today can become tomorrow’s business leader. A Corps member who develops sound financial habits can carry those lessons into their career and personal life. A young woman given access to professional opportunities can gain the confidence, experience, and networks to create opportunities for others.
Investing in young people is a great strategy for building a stronger, more productive, and more inclusive economy.
This International Youth Day, PalmPay reaffirms its commitment to investing in young Nigerians and contributing to a broader national ambition where the young population is not just counted, but equipped, employed, empowered, and positioned to lead.
Mobility technology company, Moove has raised $250 million in a Series C funding round at a valuation of $2.1 billion, reaching unicorn status.
The startup will deploy the fresh capital to build out autonomous vehicle infrastructure, expand fleet ownership, construct robotics-focused “Nests” for charging and maintenance, and grow its autonomous workforce from 150 to 500 by year-end.
The company plans to enter additional global markets, reflecting a strategy to build the operational infrastructure required for large-scale autonomous transportation rather than simply supplying vehicles.
Led by Mubadala Investment Company and co-led by Woven Capital, Toyota’s Growth Fund, and Ion Pacific, the round also included new investors BlueCrest Capital Management, Sona Asset Management and The Raptor Group, alongside existing backers BlackRock, MUFG, Franklin Templeton and Uber.
“Autonomous mobility is becoming an infrastructure race requiring fleets, charging systems, maintenance, data infrastructure and continuous city-level operations,” said Ladi Delano, co-founder, co-CEO and advisory board chairman of Moove.
Founded in Lagos in 2020, Moove has grown into a global mobility platform employing about 3,300 people across 29 cities in 13 countries, operating approximately 42,000 vehicles and reaching $420 million in annualised recurring revenue.
It has expanded organically and through acquisitions, including Kovi in Brazil and Tokyo Taxi in Japan. Moove also operates autonomous vehicle fleets in partnership with Waymo in Phoenix and Miami, with London expected to join its footprint.
The $2.1 billion valuation places Moove among Africa’s small group of tech unicorns, alongside Flutterwave, OPay, Moniepoint, Andela, Chipper Cash, Wave, Tyme, MNT-Halan and Interswitch.
The $250 million round is the largest single funding deal announced by an African startup this year, though EV mobility firm Spiro raised $270 million cumulatively across two separate rounds.
Heirs Life Assurance, the specialist life insurance company of Heirs Insurance Group, has appointed Pastor Jerry Eze as an Independent Non-Executive Director on its Board, effective August 10, 2026.
L – R: Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Life Assurance; Pastor Jerry Eze, incoming director, Heirs Life Assurance
The appointment reinforces Heirs Life Assurance’s commitment to expanding financial inclusion and accelerating insurance adoption by strengthening public trust, consumer education, and long-term financial resilience across Nigeria.
Despite being Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria’s insurance penetration remains below one percent – among the lowest globally – highlighting the need to expand financial protection and build greater public trust in insurance.
As Heirs Life continues to pursue its mission of making insurance accessible to every Nigerian, Eze’s appointment brings a unique perspective on community engagement, value-based leadership, and broad societal impact.
Pastor Jerry Eze is the Founder and Lead Pastor of Streams of Joy International Ministry, a growing multinational ministry with 34 branches across West Africa, Southern Africa, Europe and North America.
He is also the convener of the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declaration (NSPPD), one of the world’s largest digital prayer platforms, reaching millions of people daily. Through his ministry and humanitarian initiatives, he has become one of Africa’s most influential voices, championing hope, compassion, and community transformation.
Beyond ministry, Eze is the Founder of the Jerry Eze Foundation, a faith-led philanthropy where he provides housing support and grants to vulnerable and underserved communities.
In 2026, he announced N1billion in grants to support young entrepreneurs across agriculture, technology, and manufacturing, further advancing enterprise development and economic opportunity.
Before entering full-time ministry, Pastor Jerry Eze built a career in development communications, serving as a Communications Specialist on a World Bank HIV/AIDS programme and with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and International Relations from Abia State University and a postgraduate degree in Business Administration from Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Speaking about the appointment, Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, Chairman, Heirs Life Assurance, said: “Pastor Jerry brings an exceptional combination of integrity, influence, and a deep understanding of people and communities.
“As we continue our mission to democratise access to insurance, his insight will help strengthen consumer trust, deepen financial inclusion, and reinforce our commitment to protecting the financial future of millions of Nigerians.
“We are delighted to welcome him to the Board of Heirs Life Assurance and the broader family of Heirs Insurance Group.”
Commenting on his appointment, Pastor Jerry Eze said: “I am honoured to join the Board of Heirs Life Assurance at a defining moment for the insurance industry. Financial security empowers individuals, families, and businesses to pursue their aspirations with greater confidence and resilience.
“I look forward to working with the Board and Management to advance the company’s mission of making insurance more accessible, relevant, and impactful for every Nigerian.”
Heirs Life Assurance has become one of Nigeria’s leading specialist life insurance companies, ranking 7th on the Financial Times list of Africa’s fastest-growing companies.
It is one of the three insurance businesses of Heirs Holdings, the leading pan-African investment company, with investments across 24 countries and four continents.
Combining an omni-channel digital presence with physical branches spread across the country, Heirs Life continues to redefine life insurance through innovation, customer-centric solutions, and a commitment to making financial protection accessible to every Nigerian.
Heirs Insurance Group, comprising Heirs Life Assurance, Heirs General Insurance, and Heirs Insurance Brokers, collectively serves over 3 million people directly and indirectly.
The Group is championing financial inclusion and leading the digital insurance play in Nigeria, demonstrating its mission to democratise access to insurance.
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