As part of efforts to enhance students’ tech skills and equip them with solutions for the marketplace, a leading technology firm, Cavista Holdings, recently brought together about 150 students from some public institutions nationwide, to train them on essential software skills.
The Hackathon, a social coding event aimed at bringing together computer programmers and enthusiasts to develop innovative software solutions, kicked off with students drawn from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lagos State University (LASU), and Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH)) Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), and Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), among others.
Speaking at the event held at Afe Babalola Hall, UNILAG, Managing Director of Cavista Holdings, Dele Odufuye, restated the company’s passion for technology and its commitment to nurturing talents.
He highlighted the importance of providing students with opportunities to delve into coding, problem-solving and learning new methodologies, ultimately enabling them to create value in the tech industry.
With bright minds prevalent in higher institutions, Odufuye noted that universities are the perfect breeding ground for nurturing tech talents and fostering innovation.
During the Hackathon competition, students showcased a diverse range of tech solutions, including a drug alert system, fake drug detector, e-commerce blockchain solution, hypertension detector, online medical support, waste recycling tech solution, and donor tech solution.
Winners were rewarded with cash prizes and also offered mentorship programmes to hone their skills. Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, urged Nigerian youths to actively engage in tech activities, and ensure that their proposed solutions address the nation’s challenges, particularly at the grassroots level.
He emphasised the transformative power of technology and encouraged participants to leverage their skills to create positive changes in society. Olawande underscored the importance of skill acquisition in today’s world, noting that possessing multiple skills is vital for success in the 21st century.
In line with the government’s focus on technology advancement, Olawande expressed optimism about the potential of initiatives like the Hackathon to drive innovation and bring about meaningful changes in the country.
He noted that the competition not only provided a platform for students to showcase their talents, but also catalysed collaboration and skill development in the tech industry.
“With a renewed focus on harnessing technology for societal development, partnerships between government, industry, and academia are essential for fostering a culture of innovation and driving progress in Nigeria’s tech landscape,” Olawande stated.
