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From L-R: Praise David-Oku, Sonam Kumar,
Nmesoma Ogbonna, Grace Akpoiroro, Grace Ihejiamaizu receiving award as 2015
global winner of Technovation Challenge at San Francisco, USA
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TEAM CHARIS (Nigeria) has emerged winner in Technovation Challenge
world pitch which held at San Francisco, USA. The winning team comprised of
four brilliant girls: Praise David-Oku, Sonam Kumar, Nmesoma Ogbonna, and Grace
Akpoiroro as they developed a mobile app to tackle waste disposal challenge in
Nigeria. They pitched their app called, ‘Discardious’.
Mrs. Martha Alade,
Founder of WITIN and Coordinator of the program in Nigeria enthused that this
years’ team was exceptional and has done Nigeria proud. Their
solution solves a major problem in Nigeria. This is the first time a Nigerian
team would come first globally in Technovation World Pitch.
Grace Ihejiamaizu, an
International Exchange Alumni and founder of iKapture Networks, who mentored
the winning team said they faced a lot of challenges on their way to
success but overcame.
64 countries
participated in the competition with 380 apps submitted, 10 teams from all over
the world were given the opportunity to explain their project in form of a pitch
and tell their app story in a creative way. The girls also attended
life-changing workshops including a networking session.
Vanguard report continues:
One of the team
members, Praise David-Oku, who spoke for the team, said the competition has
totally changed their views of technology. “It has given our team a platform to
use technology to solve problems in our community.
It has also motivated
us to think outside the box. It has boosted my self-confidence and helped me
build new relationships and networking skills. I have met new people from
different parts of the world and shared ideas. It has also made me realize that
I am not too young to start achieving my goals.
Sonam, one of the team
members said: “It was wonderful, tough and very competitive. It was challenging
for us, as we met and listened to people from different parts of the world tell
their stories and share their powerful ideas. Above all, we learnt a lot of
things about coding, networking and public speaking.
It was a very
wonderful experience. She emphasized that Parents should enrol their girls in
computer programmes at a tender age. Provide technology gadgets for use at
home. Allow and encourage them to participate in technology competitions and
programs. Encourage them to pick and study science related courses.
The team unanimously professed that this is only the beginning of
something big. “We are going to empower, build and guide young girls to
participate in the next Technovation competition. We will launch our app and
work on our project to solve pressing challenges in Nigeria. Technovation in
Nigeria has come to stay for good”.
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