Omowunmi Kayode
A Faculty of Engineering student, Federal University Oye -Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State, Nigeria, Oduko Ezekiel has won Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina’s #500,000 innovative challenge.
The Vice-Chancellor Innovative Challenge was designed to unveil students’ innovative ideas while offering financial support to turn the such ideas into real solutions.
It was hosted by the Directorate of Educational Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (DETIE) following which students with creative ideas were asked to put in their applications.
The application period which lasted three weeks, began from June 14 to July 5, 2024.
Speaking, however, on the occasion, Director of the Educational Technology, innovation and Entrepreneurship (DETIE), Dr. Esan said no fewer than 120 applicants were shortlisted for the exercise just as applicants were given ample opportunity to showcase and exhibit their innovations following a thorough scrutiny.
However, only seven applicants scaled the hurdle as announced by a panel of judges for the final stage.
The seven successful students were Peter Tope Blessing of the Computer Science Department, Omoniyi Gbenga Timothy of Mechatronics Engineering, Clement Samuel of Computer Science, Adelowo Oluwaseun David of Anatomy Department, Williams Anaza of Computer Science, Durojaye Adewole of Political Science and Oduko Ezekiel Ifechukwudenny.
Dr. Esan said that the panel having examined and scrutinized the seven students selected three best applicants for the Vice-Chancellor’s award.
They were Oduko Ezekiel Ifechukwudenny with the Zeeil Technologies, Durojaye Adewole Midvert and Adelowo Oluwaseun David with the Carelink innovative idea.
The criteria for assessing the innovators according to Dr. Esan, was the level of innovation, originality, value creation, market potential, implementation feasibility, problem-solving, impact, stability, adaptability, collaboration and competitive advantage amongst others.
Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina eulogized the director, Dr. Esan for a job-well done, stressing his determination to always support those with innovative ideas as he believed that it would enable them to contribute to the socio-economic development of the nation.
Photo Credit Toluwanimi Bamigbola
