Ola Ndi Igbo

Revitalizing the Can-Do Igbo Spirit

Introduction

In today’s world, development and innovation have become inseparable, working together to create opportunities for a better future. Ola Ndi Igbo is dedicated to fostering growth, innovation, and sustainable development by identifying and amplifying the voices and ideas that will shape the next generation. As unemployment continues to challenge young people, particularly in the South East region of Nigeria, Ola Ndi Igbo celebrates both accomplished and emerging personalities who are leveraging innovative solutions to address societal challenges while embracing the ideals of sustainable development.

objectives

Ola Ndi Igbo aims to inspire and support innovation within the South East region, providing a platform for young innovators to showcase their ideas, receive mentorship, and gain the publicity needed to scale up their innovations. This initiative seeks to bridge the gap by offering the support that many young innovators in the region lack, transforming their ideas into global success stories.

Supporting Innovation in the South East:

While innovations are emerging across the South East, there has been a significant lack of platforms to support, mentor, and amplify these ideas. In a region plagued by high unemployment, it is crucial to nurture these innovations, transforming them into exportable solutions for the global marketplace. Ola Ndi Igbo is committed to providing the support needed to turn local innovations into world-changing inventions.

The 2017 Edition: Theme and Highlights:

The 2017 edition of Ola Ndi Igbo is themed “Revitalizing the Can-do Igbo Spirit: Showcasing Innovations and Inventions from the South East.” This year, we are proud to present the first-ever Inventions Fair, a unique opportunity to witness groundbreaking inventions and innovations from the South East. The fair which held in Enugu on December 18th featured a diverse range of exhibitors from across Nigeria, showcasing their ingenuity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Innovation Marketplace:

Launched as part of the 2017 edition, the Innovation Marketplace is designed to highlight the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit within Igboland and the broader diaspora. The marketplace will provide a platform for innovators to display their work, connect with potential investors, and receive valuable feedback from the public.

Prizes and Opportunities:

To further incentivize and support innovation, Ola Ndi Igbo will award seed funding worth N1,000,000 to the best inventor or innovator. Additionally, the top 20 applicants will receive exciting gifts from our sponsors, including Ellington Electric, Nigerian Brewery, Ford Foundation, MTN Nigeria, and South Saharan Social Development Organization. These innovators will also participate in a one-day capacity-building workshop focused on financial management, business operations, branding, and social media marketing.

Summary of Selection Process for Awards and Exhibition

Initial Submission Review

Check eligibility, verify completeness, and assess relevance of submissions.

Shortlist Creation

Projects passing the initial review are evaluated for innovation, feasibility, and sustainability to shortlist creative and novel entries for exhibition.

Public Voting

Engage the community by allowing public votes on shortlisted projects.

Expert Panel Review

An expert panel evaluates projects based on public votes and technical criteria.

Grand Winner Selection

Combine scores from public voting and expert assessments to determine the grand winner.

The Judges

Professor Bartholomew Ndubuisi Okolo is a microbiologist and academic who earned his PhD in 1986. He became a professor at the University of Nigeria in 1999. He has published extensively and made key contributions to bioprocess physiology and local raw material research. Prof. Okolo has also served as an external examiner and reviewer for prestigious academic journals.

Engr. Dr. C.N. Agulanna is a mechanical engineer with a PhD in Power and Energy from FUT Owerri. He has held roles as a lecturer and Director of Engineering at PRODA, where he is now Director-General. He holds six patents and is a member of several professional bodies.

Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr. is an award-winning tech media personality. He co-produces Tech Trends on Channels TV and Tech on Wheels on radio. He writes the ICT Clinic column for Sunday Punch and founded CFAtech.ng, promoting tech education in Africa. A board member of NIRA, he is a key figure in Nigeria’s ICT industry, known for his work supporting startups and his numerous contributions to the tech ecosystem.

Udo Jude Ilo is the Country Officer for the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA). He has over 12 years of experience in governance, human rights, and election reforms. Previously, he worked with the Forum of Federations and produced Nigeria’s first report on the death penalty. Udo specializes in program management, advocacy, and policy reform. He is also an Eisenhower Fellow and a published author

Dr. Jacinta Johnson is a Senior Pharmacovigilance Consultant with over 20 years of experience in HIV research and drug safety. She holds a PhD in medical microbiology from Howard University and specializes in molecular immunology. Dr. Johnson has led teams in drug applications, achieving multiple approvals. She is also an author of over 13 books and the founder of Marble Tower Group of Companies, as well as co-founder of Ebony WoodHouse Productions and SitTalkBlog.