In a groundbreaking initiative to foster entrepreneurship and innovation, the Center for Social Awareness, Advocacy, and Ethics, through its Digital Skilling and Employment Project (DSEP), generously funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation in partnership with Corporate Imo Impact Partnership, recently organized a remarkable hackathon. The event provided a platform for graduates of the Digital Skilling Project to showcase their prowess in various digital skills, including web development, data entry and analysis, cybersecurity, content creation, and administrative virtual assistance, among others.
The hackathon, a highlight of the DSEP program, aimed to encourage participants to pitch their innovative business ideas and compete for startup funding. The event witnessed the participation of talented individuals who had honed their skills through the DSEP training, illustrating the tangible impact of the project on empowering the workforce.
Following rigorous evaluations by seasoned judges from both within and outside the country, both onsite and virtually, five standout teams emerged victorious. These teams, named Safeguard, Ethical Care, BeHeard, Data Zoo, and Virtual Assistant Pro, secured the top positions and are set to receive funding and mentorship for the next three months. This support will equip them with the necessary tools to successfully launch and sustain their entrepreneurial ventures.
The diverse range of business ideas presented by the winning teams reflects the depth of skills imparted through the DSEP program. From ensuring online safety (Team Safeguard) to promoting ethical care practices (Team Ethical Care), advocating for voices to be heard (Team BeHeard), exploring data analytics (Team Data Zoo), and providing virtual administrative assistance (Team Virtual Assistant Pro), these projects showcase the multifaceted capabilities of the digital skilling graduates.
One distinguished guest in attendance was the Chief Economic Adviser to the Imo State Government, Prof Kenneth Amaechi, a key visionary of the DSEP project. In his address, he expressed delight at the quality of presentations and innovative solutions offered by the participating teams. In a surprising twist, he pledged to employ the winning teams to work in his office, further emphasizing the real-world impact and employability of the skills acquired through the DSEP initiative.
As the winning teams embark on their entrepreneurial journeys with the support of funding, mentorship, and the promise of employment, the DSEP project stands as a beacon of success, driving positive change in the digital landscape.
The hackathon not only served as a launchpad for these budding entrepreneurs but also highlighted the invaluable partnerships forged between the public and private sectors, exemplified by the collaboration between the Center for Social Awareness, Advocacy, and Ethics, the Coca-Cola Foundation, and the Imo State Government.\
