WorldStage Newsonline– Three Tech start-up, Klasconnect, Smart Clinic and Elizade University have emerged winners of the first Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) Hackathon innovative challenge for digital solutions to COVID-19.
The Hackathon is expected to throw up innovative and adaptable solutions that will address the present and future impacts of Pandemics and Epidemic diseases in Nigeria focusing on five thematic areas namely Health, Community, Productivity, Economy and Education.
Speaking during the presentation of grant to winners of Hackathon, the NCC, Executive Vice Chairman, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta said the challenge was not misplaced saying, “given that it is in tandem with the 8-pillars of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy 2020-2030, with the Honorable Minister as the Pilot.
“We considered the challenge to find a local content solution to the pandemic as fillip to our strategic designs as contemplated in our 8-Point Agenda, which, incidentally, aligns with the 8-pillars of the NDEPS 2020.
“It is evident that the entire globe is challenged about how best to tackle this pandemic. Telecommunications/ICTs have taken the centre stage in the provision, or advancement of solutions.”
NCC presented a grant of N3 million to each winner that emerged out of the 56 participants with promising innovative digital solutions against the pandemic.
The NCC boss said, “We had, in inviting submissions for this innovative digital solution to Covid-19 pandemic, sought novel ideas or solution to address the needs of health workers and other frontline health professionals including individuals in isolation centres, or provide help for relevant agencies involved in tracking and tracing the spread of the virus as well as support or facilitation of other preventive measures.”
In his speech, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami, “Today’s occasion marks a modest but significant event in our search for adaptable digital solutions in our clime.
“Today’s event aligns with two of the 8 – pillars of our Digital Economy’s policy and strategy plan: the development of a vibrant digital ecosystem that supports innovation-driven enterprise and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises and the provision of a policy framework that prioritizes digitally skilled Nigerians for government funded projects.
“This is also in line with Executive Orders 003 and 005 of His Excellency, President Mohammadu Buhari’s administration. The current pandemic makes our discussion of solutions today even more significant, as the world searches for affordable and time saving solutions.
“We are all aware that innovation is a key driver to the fast growth of the global ICT industry, which in turn drives today’s global economy. The importance of ICT innovation accentuating solutions in the health sector, especially at this time of a global pandemic is becoming evident. Digital solutions may become the difference in making the health sector smarter in addressing the problems of the current pandemic.”
