Anambra Innovation Week: Acting Vice-Chancellor UNIZIK Receives Victorious Team

Anambra Innovation Week: Acting Vice-Chancellor UNIZIK Receives Victorious Team

By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu

Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), under the leadership of Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph I. Ikechebelu, today, Friday, 6th December 2024 received the institution’s victorious team who won the first prize of the innovative tertiary institution category in Anambra state at the Solution Innovation District (SID) conference, held at international conference center (ICC) Anambra, from Tuesday, November 25 to Friday, November 29, 2024.

Receiving the team, the Acting Vice-Chancellor stated that the Varsity would continue to support every noble move geared towards placing the citadel of learning on the world map, saying that researchers, students researchers would continue receive backing and support.

Anambra State Polytechnic Mgbakwu took the second position, while Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) made the third position.

Anambra Innovation Week was designed to promote innovation, technological advancements, and digital transformation, particularly in addressing specific socio-economic challenges in the heart of Nigeria.

The week-long event brought together thought leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and policy makers to explore the horizon of innovation in Anambra State and beyond.

The university exhibited novel research projects, which gained the NAU first position with cash prize of N5,000,000 naira only. The team coordinated by Prof. Azubike Ekpunobi, director, research and innovation directorate represented the university.

The team also produced the best tertiary institution researcher, Prof. Nkiru Meludu with first position and a cash prize of N2,000,000 naira only, a group of electrical engineering researchers ably represented by Engr. Chukwuka Ogbonnaya in second position of best tertiary institution researchers with N1,500,000 naira only, and the third position went to a group researchers of electronics engineering ably represented by Engr. Charles with a cash prize of N1,000,000 naira only.

Students, Master Chibueze Ogbuagu and Tochukwu Egwu-Chika, among the team also won the first and second position of students in tertiary institution category with cash prize of N2,000,000 and N1,000,000 naira, respectively and the student from University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) made the third position.
Nnamdi Azikiwe University always commends and aligns with the vision of His Excellency, Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo.

The SID initiative indeed integrated the innovative potentials within Anambra and beyond through the event. We remain resolutely committed to collaborating with the SID and the Governor initiatives and gladly thank the Governor and Ms. Chinwe Okoli, SA to the Governor on innovation & business incubation for the extended opportunity and hands of fellowship.

Those in attendance included, Professor Nkiru Meludu – Leader of the Team, Professor Azubuike Ekpunobi – Director of Research and Innovation, UNIZIK, Professor Ifeoma Dunu, Director of UNIZIK FM and Dr. Ifeoma Obi, Manager UNIZIK 94. 1 FM, Awka