Telecom
Tosin Eniolorunda Innovation Challenge Rewards 3 Bright Young University-based Entrepreneurs
In a bid to build a supportive environment for innovation and create new pathways for a future where prosperity is inclusive, opportunities abound, and where the entrepreneurial spirit thrives, Group Chief Executive Officer, Moniepoint Inc, Tosin Eniolorunda has rewarded three University-based young Nigerian entrepreneurs through the inaugural edition of the Tosin Eniolorunda Innovation Challenge, an initiative of the Management Students Association, University of Lagos.
Winner of the Tosin Eniolorunda Innovation Challenge, Halimat Ajoke Ariyo, Founder, Craft by Leemart holding aloft dummy cheque during the prize presentation.
The winners emerged during the 4th Annual Students Entrepreneurship Program, a one-day session which featured keynote presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities designed to equip future business leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to foster SME growth and innovation. With the theme, “Bridging The Gap From Micro To Macro: Empowering SMEs To Drive Sustainable National Growth”, participants were challenged to explore simple but creative solutions to the challenges faced by SMEs while underscoring the necessity of fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, and equipping emerging business leaders with the tools to innovate and solve problems effectively.
Speaking to the rationale for the Challenge, Tosin Eniolorunda who was represented at the event by Efemena Ogie, Head of Partnerships, noted that small businesses are vehicles for innovation and problem solving and that empowering them isn’t merely a strategic imperative but a moral obligation toward ensuring sustainable and inclusive prosperity for all.
He added that the initiative resonated strongly with him considering his own early beginnings as an undergraduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University where he was solving problems for his peers on campus.
“This initiative aligns with our vision of powering dreams and being critical enablers for the growth of the SMES across Nigeria.
“We have seen first hand the transformative power of innovation and problem solving as pivotal building blocks for unlocking value, considering that the world belongs to dreamers and doers.
“Our growth has been driven by our ability to listen to the customers as well as providing innovative solutions to the challenges they have faced. Dreams and passions are the fundamental instruments for entrepreneurial activities and the drive to provide financial happiness for all Nigerians has kept us going.
“This Innovation Challenge is a solid platform to help more dreamers move their innovative ideas into becoming tangible ventures that can increase their contribution to the broader economy,” he said.
Not limited to providing student entrepreneurs with seed funding or funds to upscale their ventures (for already existing businesses), the Tosin Eniolorunda Innovation Challenge, which showcased an impressive array of entrepreneurial talent and innovative ideas, also provided mentoring initiatives, workshops and training sessions to participants who are committed to identifying problems and proffering solutions as well as making great impact in their communities.
After a rigorous selection process, five finalists emerged to present their ideas to a distinguished panel of judges, with the winners announced as follows:
1. Winner: Craft by Leemart
Founder: Halimat Ajoke Ariyo
A fashion leather brand creating high-quality, customized products – footwears, customized bracelets, wallets, belts, journals and other products with quality leather with a focus on customer satisfaction and personalized experiences.
2. 1st Runner-up: SafeMom
Founding team: Michael Kolade Sunmoni and Saanumi Oluwaseun Joshua
A healthtech startup addressing maternal mortality by connecting expectant mothers with healthcare resources through an innovative digital platform. These include 24/7 access to healthcare experts, educational resources on pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. and support groups.
3. 2nd Runner-up: UNISHOP
Founding team: Bukunmi Ransome-Kuti and Israel Olasupo
A retail-as-a-service platform empowering student entrepreneurs to establish and grow their businesses within the campus ecosystem. It offers basic listings and premium shop pages to drive visibility and marketing for student businesses to thrive in the campus marketplace.
These winners were selected after preliminary rounds by an expert panel of judges drawn from the business and technology ecosystem including industry leaders such as Gabriel Balogun, Head of Learning and Development, Moniepoint Inc, Katherine Adesomoju, CEO, Spectrum Holdings, Samuel Olatunde, CEO/Founder, Edala Homes, and Adeola Sanusi, CEO/Founder, XL Homes.
The evaluation was based on key metrics including market potential, understanding of financial management, growth plans, and business value/competitiveness of the proposed solution and the quality of the presentation and delivery.
An elated Halimat Ariyo who went home with 1 million naira in prize money said: “I’d like to thank Moniepoint and Mr Eniolorunda for this opportunity and the cash incentive. I am energized to take my business to the next level and the world would know my name.”
The Tosin Eniolorunda Innovation Challenge is identifying promising small businesses on campus and providing valuable training and exposure to them underscores the importance of nurturing young talent and fostering innovation for Nigeria’s socio-economic advancement while validating Moniepoint’s commitment to support entrepreneurship, and position young Nigerians for global relevance.
Technology Company, Globacom, has announced significant reductions in its International Direct Dialing (IDD) rates, making international calls more affordable for its existing and new customers across Nigeria.
Effective August 10, the new rates began applying to over 15 popular international destinations, including United States which will has moved to ₦30 per minute, down from ₦35, United Kingdom is now N350 from ₦400, while India also moved down to ₦40 from N45.
The rates for China, Saudi Arabia and Cameroon however recorded major reduction moving to N75, N300 and ₦700 respectively.
The reduction was also extended to African countries including Benin Republic which goes for ₦650 per minute, Niger Republic ₦750, Ghana ₦500, and Togo ₦650. United Arab Emirates also moved from ₦450 to ₦325, Germany to ₦550, Côte d’Ivoire ₦700, Libya ₦700, while calls to Malawi is now N1,100 from ₦1,200.
Glo aims to provide more value for its customers through these revised rates, encouraging them to make Glo their preferred network for international calls. New IDD bundles will also be introduced, offering frequent international callers even more attractive deals.
Globacom, which remained optimistic that frequent international callers will benefit immensely from the reductions in IDD bundles, enjoined customers to take advantage of the new rates to stay connected with friends and business associates across the globe.
President Bola Tinubu has appointment members into the boards of the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Universal Service Provision Fund, both under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
According to the statement, Idris Olorunnimbe was named Chairman of the NCC board, while Dr Aminu Wada will continue as Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, a position he was appointed to in October 2023 and confirmed by the Senate the following month.
Onanuga said Olorunnimbe previously served on the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund Board, where he chaired the Stakeholder and Governance Committee.
Other NCC board members are Abraham Oshidami (Executive Commissioner, Technical Services), Rimini Makama (Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management), Hajia Maryam Bayi, Col Abdulwahab Lawal (retd.), Senator Lekan Mustafa, Chris Okorie, Princess Oforitsenere Emiko, and the board secretary.
The President also approved the board of the USPF, chaired by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, with Olorunnimbe as Vice Chairman.
Other members are Oshidami, Makama, Aliyu Edogi Aliyu (representative of FMCIDE), Joseph B. Faluyi (representative of the Federal Ministry of Finance), Auwal Mohammed (representative of FMBNP), Uzoma Dozie, Peter Bankole, Abayomi Anthony Okanlawon, Gafar Oluwasegun Quadri, and the USPF secretary.
See the statement below:
PRESIDENT TINUBU APPOINTS BOARD MEMBERS FOR NCC AND USPF
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has constituted the boards of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), both agencies under the supervision of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
Idris Olorunnimbe was appointed Chairman of NCC, while Dr Aminu Waida remains its Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer.
President Tinubu appointed Wada to the position in October 2023, and the Senate confirmed the appointment in November 2023.
Advertisement
Mr. Olorunnimbe previously served on the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) Board, where he chaired the Stakeholder and Governance Committee and drove impactful youth employment and entrepreneurship programmes.
Other members of the board are:
1. Abraham Oshidami – Executive Commissioner, Technical Services
2. Rimini Makama – Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management
3. Hajia Maryam Bayi- Former Director, Human Capital & Administration
4. Col Abdulwahab Lawal (Rtd)
5. Senator Lekan Mustafa
6. Chris Okorie
7. Princess Oforitsenere Emiko
8. Secretary of the Board.
The President also approved the Board of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), with Dr Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, as Chairman.
Other members are :
1. Idris Olorunimbe – Vice Chairman
2. Abraham Oshidami
3. Rimini Makama
4. Aliyu Edogi Aliyu – (Rep FMCIDE)
5. Joseph B Faluyi – (Rep. of Federal Ministry of Finance)
6. Auwal Mohammed – (Rep. of FMBNP)
7. Uzoma Dozie
8. Peter Bankole
9. Abayomi Anthony Okanlawon
10. Gafar Oluwasegun Quadri and the
11. USPF Secretary
The Federal Government established the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) to facilitate the achievement of national policy goals for universal access and service to information and communication technologies (ICTs) in rural, unserved and underserved areas in Nigeria.
Anambra State ICT Agency has restated its commitment to creating a digitally inclusive environment where Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) can access and benefit from government services without barriers.
Speaking when the Anambra State Disability Rights Commission (ADRC), in partnership with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme, paid an advocacy visit to his office, the Managing Director/CEO of the ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, underscored the Soludo administration’s determination to make governance work for all, including PWDs.
Mr. Agbata noted that intentional inclusion is a key part of the Governor’s technology-driven vision for the state which is why the commission recently received a wide range of digital tools to enhance their productivity.
“Technology is only truly impactful when it works for everyone, regardless of physical ability.
We are committed to removing digital barriers and making our platforms accessible to all residents of Anambra State,” he said.
CFA also disclosed that the Agency will take immediate steps to appoint a Disability Desk Officer, work with the commission to ensure that all government ICT platforms are designed to meet accessibility standards, and as well as incorporate PWD-friendly features into ongoing upgrades of the SolutionLens feedback platform.
The visit also featured presentations from ADRC’s Head of ICT, Mr. Bonaventure Umeokwonna, who outlined the Commission’s priorities, and RoLAC representatives, who pledged continued support for building capacity and strengthening the policy framework for inclusion.
Mr. Valentine Nwachukwu, Head of Planning, Research and Statistics at the Commission, gave the vote of thanks, commending the ICT Agency’s openness to collaboration.
The Anambra State ICT Agency continues to work closely with ministries, departments, and agencies to deepen digital transformation in the state, ensuring that no segment of society is left behind.
AfDB Adopts AI to Fast-track Africa’s Development Blueprint
SEC Partners Chainalysis to Tackle Rising Crypto Scams
Glo Reduces International Call Rates
Tinubu Strengthens Telecom Governance with NCC, USPF Board Appointments
Anambra ICT Agency Champions Inclusive Tech-Driven Governance
Telecom2 days agoMTN Nigeria Rolls Out Network-as-a-Service and Signs First MVNO to Drive Industry Efficiency
E-Financial2 days agoNBS Reports ₦6.72 Trillion VAT Haul as Tax Reforms Pay Off
News2 days agoNo More Leaks: FIRS Slaps ₦5m Fine on Info Disclosure
Telecom2 days agoAirtel Money Africa Partners pawaPay for Seamless International Remittances Across Africa
E-Financial2 days agoFIRS Unveils e-Invoicing, Electronic Fiscal System for Large Taxpayers
Telecom2 days agoRubrik Joins Forces with Sophos to Reinvent M365 Recovery
General News2 days agoNIMC Sets 48-hour Deadline for Diaspora Partners to Activate New Licences
- Telecom1 day ago
Airtel, Vodacom sign Network Infrastructure Agreement to Drive Digital Inclusion