YOUTH EMPOWERMENT: Opolo Global Lead-Off Osun Innovents 2021

Opolo Global Innovation Limited is a leading innovation enabler, incubator and accelerator that support innovators with resources to thrive and scale. Thursday, 26th August 2021, the company lead-off its Osun Innovents event with a Pre-event.

Osun Innovents seeks to position Osun State as the tech innovation hub of the Country, aimed at digitally transforming the State into an innovation powerhouse. The program serves as a platform to congregate entrepreneurs, investors, corporate entities, thought leaders, government functionaries, innovation enablers, and indigenous innovators and start-ups to inspire sustained economic growth across Osun State. The event creates an avenue for innovators to network, collaborate and build the system of innovation on a practical level using the quad helix and multisectoral model.

Osun Innovents 2021 is dimensioned into 2 parts: Osun Innovents (Pre-Event) and Osun Innovents (Main Event). The Pre-event held on 26th August 2021 was a one-day event, and organised in a hybrid version that was well attended by top industry experts, academia, bank executives, global thought leaders, indigenous innovators, and youth. Three plenary sessions across three focus areas were held. These include: Building a Business Brand by Iyin Aboyeji, Co-Founder of Flutterwave and Future Africa, and Seyi Oyenuga, Executive Director of Atmancorp and SecureFarmer; Developing Digital Skills for Productivity by Bamidele Bayo-Osibo, National President of Nigeria Women in Information Technology; Femi Oyenuga, Chief Digital Officer of Accion MFB; Henry Chukwu, Program Specialist, Digital Financial Services, EFInA; and Seun Adesanya, Group Head, Strategy & Digital Financial Services, SystemSpecs; and Professor Oyewunmi Adejoke, Professor, Intellectual Property, University of Lagos, Nigeria provided insights on understanding Intellectual Assets and Property. Also, Dr Segun Aina OFR applauded the Ọpọlọ Global team for organising events like this and encouraged them to continue on the path to making a brighter future for Nigeria youths.

One of the participants, Afeez Winjobi appraised the organiser of the program, Ọpọlọ Global for "bringing events like this to Osun, as most times, we always travel to Ibadan and Lagos for such events. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this and I look forward to the November Main Event for greater impact."

Eight indigenous innovators made it to the final round of the innovation pitch. Winners will be communicated soon.

Osun Innovents (Main Event) will come up in November 10 & 12, 2021 in Osogbo, Nigeria. It is themed "Creating a better future for Osun Innovators and Youths."