Opeke, Others Win Maiden Innocent Chukwuma Awards For Innovation

Founder and Chief Executive Officer, MainOne, Funke Opeke, has been announced as the winner of the maiden edition of Innocent Chukwuma Award for Innovation.
Announcing this in a statement made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt, the Convener of #StartupSouth, Uche Aniche, said Funke was chosen by a jury in recognition of her contributions to the development of Nigeria’s Innovation Ecosystem.
The award, which is a special category under the Startup Awards by #StartupSiouth, was set up in honour of late Innocent Chukwuma, one of Nigeria’s foremost human rights activists, development professional and former country director, West Africa at Ford Foundation.
Flutterwave and its Chief Executive Officer, Olugbenga Agboola were both awarded Startup of the Year (National) and Most Inspirational Founder of the Year (National), respectively.
Other winners include (but not limited to) Chief Executive Officer of Enugu-based Xend Finance, Ugochukwu Aronu (Most Inspirational Founder of the Year (Regional), and renewable energy Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and SSEAN portfolio company, Greenage Technologies (Startup of the Year (Regional).
Accepting the award, Ms Funke Opeke said, “obviously, the work that we are all committed to do to promote innovation and economic development in Nigeria is not yet done.
“However, with the continued commitment of note-worthy citizens and organisations such as #StartupSouth, I remain optimistic that together, we will continue to make progress and achieve the vision of a more productive and enterprising Nigeria.”
Speaking on behalf of the family, Mrs Joesphine Effah-Chukwuma, widow of late Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, congratulated Ms Opeke, and praised her sterling records in support of the Innovation Ecosystem.
“Our family is impressed with your work.We are grateful to #StartupSouth for initiating this award in honour of our husband, father, brother and in-law.”
Winners in other categories include,Rhythm 93.7, Port Harcourt, which grabbed the Best Startup/Technology Show (Radio Regional) with its Startitup Show; XL 106.9FM, Uyo, which won the
Best Startup Coverage (Radio – Regional); Global Business Report (Arise TV), which took the
Startup/Technology Show (TV) award;and Olushola Aina, which won the Most Inspirational Angel Investor (Male).
The rest are, Inyene Okoroh, who won the Most Inspirational Angel Investor (Female) award; Greenage Technology, won the Startup of the year – Regional (SOTY Regional) award; Flutterwave, which won the Startup of the year – National (SOTY National) award; Ugochukwu Aronu (Xend Finance) won the Inspirational Founder of the year – Regional (IFOTY Regional) award; and Scuudu Labs, which won the
Next Rated Startup – Regional (NRS Regional) award.
Josephine Okojie won the Startup Journalist of the Year Award (Female-Merit) award;Daniel Essiet of The Nation newspapers won the Startup Journalist of the Year Award (Male-Merit); Genesys Tech Hub won the Most Inspirational Regional Technology Hub (MIRTH) award; Bank of Industry (South-East & South-South) won the Public Institution of the year – National (PIOTY National) award; Enugu State SME Centre won the Public Institution of the year – Regional (PIOTY Regional) award; Olugbenga Agboola (Flutterwave) won the Inspirational Founder of the year – National (IFOTY National) award; TechEconomy won the Best Technology Blog (BTB) award; BusinessDay won the Best Startup Coverage – Print (BSC Print) award; while Google Developers Group Enugu won the Most Inspiring Startup Community – Regional (MISC Regional) award.
#StartupSouth is a Startup & Creative/digital Economy ecosystem development and advocacy organisation.
It is an inspiring generation of founders building high scale ventures across Nigeria with special focus on the South-South/South-East regions.
#StartupSouth collaborates with key stakeholders – including founders, innovation hubs, enterprise support organisations, policy makers, local/international foundations and development organizations – to co-create solutions to blockers hindering the innovation ecosystem growth.

By: Nelson Chukwudi