Beyond the FBI list and its bad representation, a Nigerian identified as Abdulkarim Bashir has emerged the winner of start-up innovation competition at the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition, GITEX 2019 in Dubai.
This was disclosed in a statement released by the Minister of Communications, Hon. Isa Pantami and the leader of the Nigerian delegation to the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition, GITEX 2019 to congratulate the winner of the competition.
In a statement issued by the minister’s spokesman, Uwa Suleiman, it stated that the young Nigerian defeated 750 other contestants from 73 countries at the biggest technology and innovation show in the Middle East, Africa and Asia with his Artificial Intelligence security solution Chiniki Guard, aimed at detecting and alerting business owners of security breaches in their shops.
The minister commended the efforts of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, for its relentless support, encouragement and motivation by providing sponsorship for the country’s young innovators to the event.
According to the press statement, Pantami also commended the undiluted contributions of the Office for ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship, OIIE, a subsidiary arm of NITDA towards the development of indigenous technology innovation in Nigeria.
“NITDA as regulator of the IT Sector has continued to empower, promote and invest in young talent in the industry through the Office for ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIIE) in a bid to drive the President’s vision for technological advancement in Nigeria.
“This is a national success worthy of celebration as our efforts have begun yielding the desired results. The success is a clear testimony of the commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in promoting our youths and other Nigerians as prioritised by the Executive Orders 003 and 005,” said the minister.
The Honorable minister for communications declared that “We will continue to support and encourage Local Content Development and Promotion in our determination to transform our economy from a resource – based to a knowledge – based society”.
The NITDA and OIIE agencies were issued directives to monitor and support the winner and other tech startups and ensure the deployment of their solutions to Nigeria by the Honorable Minister for communications.