UNIZIK Wins N5m For First Place In Innovative Tertiary Institution Category At Anambra SID Conference

By Chuks Eke

Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK, led by Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Joseph I. Ikechebelu, won first place and first prize in the innovative tertiary institution category at this year’s Anambra State Solution Innovation District, SID conference.

The weeklong commemorative activities took place at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Awka, Anambra state, from Tuesday, November 25 to Friday, November 29, 2024.

Anambra State Polytechnic, Mgbakwu, took second place, with Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, COOU, coming in third.

Anambra Innovation Week is intended to promote innovation, technological advancement, and digital transformation, with a focus on addressing specific socioeconomic challenges in Nigeria’s heartland.

The event brought together thought leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to discuss the future of innovation in Anambra State and beyond.

The team coordinator, Prof. Azubike Ekpunobi, Director, Research and Innovation Directorate, who represented UNIZIK at the event, stated that

There were numerous research displays from institutions, among which UNIZIK exhibited novel research projects, earning it first place and a cash prize of N5 million.

The team also produced the best tertiary institution researcher, Prof. Nkiru Meludu, who won first place and a cash prize of N2 million, while a group of electrical engineering researchers led by Engr. Chukwuka Ogbonnaya took second place and a cash prize of N1.5 million, and a group of electronics engineering researchers led by Engr. Charles won third place and a cash prize of N1 million.

According to Prof. Ekpunobi, “Some of our students, Master Chibueze Ogbuagu and Tochukwu Egwu-Chika, among the team, also won the first and second positions of students in the tertiary institution category with cash prizes of N2 million and N1 million, respectively, while a student from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, made the third place.”

Engr. Charles Ogbonna, who spoke about one of the projects that received the award, stated that the Tripple Supply IOT Smart Home Automation System is intended to solve several power supply problems, one of which is power interruption, by making power smart and thus saving energy.

He described the system’s functions as selecting the most steady power, controlling your appliances, and calculating your household energy consumption.

Prof Meludu also mentioned that winning the prize was a difficult journey, and she described the display that earned her the second prize as wonderful.

She stated: “Some of the products include herbal tea and sweet potatoes (made with semolina and flour), which are high in vitamin A, fiber, carotene, and low glycemic for people who react to sugar and are also beneficial to diabetic patients.”

“I decided to turn them into convenient foods because they are perishable and produced only once a year, but we can plant them three times a year, allowing farmers to earn more money and ensure long-term food security and livelihood.”

Speaking, Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Joseph Ikechebelu stated, “Today, we are presenting to the world that Nnamdi Azikiwe University is a research home where academics are still doing what they are here for.

“As you can see, we competed with a large number of universities during Innovation Week, but we won. This event is dominant in the student category, and I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Anambra State government for providing such an opportunity.”

“The products are fantastic; they are made locally, and this shows that our agricultural unit is kicking off with a bang; very soon, we will invite you to our farmer’s market, which will be fully operational, and you will be able to take any food item that will change your life.” I would like to take this opportunity to inform you that UNIZIK remains the university to reckon with, and we are still making waves in terms of innovation.”

Prof Ikechebelu, on the other hand, encouraged industrialists to take advantage of the opportunity to collaborate with the institution in order to produce large turnouts for commercial consumption. These products are still research designs, so if we can partner with industries to make these products commercially available so that everyone can pick as many quantities as they need, that would be fantastic, and that is why we are demonstrating what we were about to do.”

“It is not just about finishing first, second, or third in the innovation week; we are taking this opportunity to tell industry captains that UNIZIK is ready to collaborate with you. So bring your innovative designs that will provide solutions to the community and society.

“I congratulate our researchers and students, and I assure you that the university will provide you with all the resources you require for your research.”

The press briefing was attended by Prof Ifeoma Dunu, Director of UNIZIK FM; Engr Chukwuka Ogbonnaya, Manager of UNIZIK FM; Dr Ify Obi, Acting Public Relations Officer; and Njelita Louis, among others.