By Kingsley I. Ilechukwu, Bureau Chief, South West
Imo State Government, South East, Nigeria, has emerged as the Most Innovative Digital State of the Year in the country at the Titans of Tech Africa Awards which was held at the Oriental Hotel, in Lagos, south west, at the weekend.
According to the organizers of the prestigious awards, Digital skill acquisition, innovation and technology adoption, perception of opportunities, optimising service and performance, youth Empowerment, overall quality of digital innovation and contribution to the digital economy advancement, digital transformation, contribution to end-user quality-of-experience, consistency were key components in the criteria considered by the Tech TV intelligence unit panel that selected the award winners. The four months long period of the selection process involved gathering a series of detailed information on KPIs, Innovation, growth strategies and digital compliance.
At the end of the selection exercise, Imo State Government was adjudged overall winner among other States nominated in the category for its relentless efforts and impact in promoting and encouraging the development of ICT and digital technologies in the state. The rate of ICT adoption in the state, according to the citation, was extremely impressive. The state was the first to establish a full-fledged Ministry of Digital Economy and e-Government.
Addressing the Media after the event, Programme Manager, SkillUpImo, Prisca Amaefule who represented the Imo State Governor Dr. Hope Uzodinma, noted that Imo State under the Leadership of Governor Uzodinma would continue to use ICTs as a tool to skill up the state’s digital operations and national development. She thanked the organizer of the Titans of Tech Awards for the transparency in the awards process. According to her, The SkillUpImo project had become a reference point which had given opportunity to the young people in the state to acquire digital skills and also given start up equipment or seed funding to commence their businesses.
“We are a fully Tech-Driven State that is utilizing technology to straighten administrative processes, and make governance, businesses and investment appealing and attractive. In fact, we can pride ourselves as a state powered by technology.” Ms Amaefule said.
Award organizer, TechTV Network, is a Leading Technology and Business Analysis digital platform that seeks to explore the interplay between technology, productivity, entertainment and national development in the light of the growing digital economy.
Its mission is to engender economic policy that supports Africa’s long-term digital economy growth and transformation with a vision to produce research, offer policy advice, and galvanize action for African Leaders to develop their digital agenda.
The Titans of Tech Awards popularly called Nigeria’s Tech Industry Grammy is designed to celebrate hi-tech’s most important movers and shakers; the pioneers, innovators and connectors, men, women, organisations and institutions who are at the forefront of pushing technology adoption and usage in Nigeria and across Africa.
The 2022 event was chaired by former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro and highlighted by other Tech Industry Stakeholders including Presidents of IT and Telecom Associations.
