Students of the Cross Rivers University of Technology ( CRUTECH) has emerged the winners of the Nigerian Content Science Technology and Innovation Challenge (STIC) organised by the Nigerian Content, Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), carting away the N10million and N750, 000 for faculty head with a solar Element Stove innovation.
Team Cross Rivers University defeated Team Quester from the University of Jos who took home the sum of 4million naira nd the faculty head 500,000.
Team TED from the Federal university of Agriculture,Makurdi in Benue State took third with the sum of N1.5million and the faculty head prize of 250,000.
The Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote pointed out that the STIC is a strategic enterprise development programme designed to challenge undergraduates of all accredited Nigerian tertiary institutions to stretch their ingenuity, and apply science & technology to create home-grown, innovative, technology-driven, and smart/digitalized solutions that address critical problems facing our society, economy, and country at large.
According to him, the STIC is a deliberate initiative to encourage Nigerian undergraduates/youths to embrace creativity, innovative, productive and life enhancing values, that will contribute to the overall development of our great Nation.
According to Wabote, this year edition has produced two winners with viable
solutions that can create business ventures and sustainable economic impact, including local manufacturing and utilization of local goods and services, employment, and wealth creation, “. With over 170 public and private institutions inNigeria we consider it a great achievementfor you to be in the finals. It is no longer asecret that one of you will end up as the National champion for the 2020/2021
STIC.”
“Times are tough but you have
proposed creative solutions to try and
overcome some of our present challenges in fighting unemployment, and the resources to turn these solutions into realities. You embody, each in your specific way, what we need in Nigeria today to foster sustainable and inclusive growth: great skills, fresh ideas, real vision!.”
The Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri in his speech explained why his administration was focusing on development of skills acquisition through establishment of colleges of science and technical education in every local government area of the state.
Senator Diri said there was a real need to change the narrative on unemployment in the state in the light of an increasingly digitalised global economy.
Diri noted that the state government had adopted an educational curriculum that has shifted emphasis from certificate education to science and technology-based skills as no society could develop beyond its level of education.
He called for collaboration with the NCDMB and other stakeholders to ensure that science and technology was given premium in the educational sector.
He commended the NCDMB management and its partners for introducing the challenge to build the capacity of young Nigerians in science and technology, noting that the programme was in line with the board’s mandate to bridge the technology and manpower needs in the oil and gas industry.
His words: “The current management of the board has not left anyone in doubt as to its commitment in fulfilling its mandate of producing a new set of engineers, scientists and technologists to fill the local content demand of our country.
“We are aware that progressively Nigerians are getting more involved in the production of oil and gas. To my mind, this innovation challenge is to inspire young scientists to achieve greater things.”
Earlier in his address, the Country Director, Enactus Nigeria, Mr. Michael Ajayi, described the challenge as a unique opportunity to create entrepreneurs while reducing the unemployment rate and supporting the economic advancement of the country.
Kindly contact us @ Naijalivetv@gmail.com
Call or Whatsapp: 07035262029, 07016666694, 08129340000
