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(By Kayode Yusuf Bonire, who was in Katsina)
The Katsina State Government has presented a brand new Toyota Highlander SUV and a cash prize of N2,000,000 to Abdulhakeem Bashiru, who emerged the overall winner of the first edition of the State National Youth Talent Hunt Challenge .
The Katsina State National Talent Hunt Challenge, a two – year programme aimed at discovering different innovative and technological talents of the youths across Nigeria, covers four different categories, namely automobile design, art and crafts, ICT and music. The event also featured the design of the new Katsina State official logo by some of the participants.
At the grand finale of the competition and prize-giving ceremony, which held on Monday, February 15, 2022, in Katsina, the state capital, Bashiru was honoured for designing a CCTV application which, he says, will assist security agencies in addressing security issues in the country.
Three other contestants from the four categories were also rewarded with N5,000,000, N3,000,000 and N1,500,000 respectively while 100 participants were selected and rewarded with N100,000 cash prize each .
Speaking at the ceremony, the chief host and Governor of Katsina State, Aliyu Bello Masari, highlighted the objective of the competition, saying it is to encourage innovations and to develop the potentiality of the Nigerian youth. While assuring that the State Government will continue to support the programme for the benefit of not only Katsina State but the country at large, he further encouraged all those that invented new technologies to come forward and showcase their ideas for the development of Katsina.
Minister for Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, who was also present at the event, said there is the need to focus on progressive opportunities for the youth to contribute to the development of the country. He also stressed the need to identify the brilliant minds and young innovators within the Nigerian communities and enrich them with all the necessary support they need. He said by doing this, ‘’we will be able to provide more jobs while unemployment will be reduced.’’
The Minister commended the effort of the Katsina State Government for taking such a bold step in making sure that young innovators in Nigeria are well rewarded as he urged other state Governments in Nigeria to emulate the Governor of Katsina State, Masari, in ensuring that innovative talents are discovered and well nurtured.
Director General of National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Jelani Aliyu, who is a renowned automotive designer, in his speech, stressed that there is the need to keep identifying and supporting the innovations that are embedded in the Nigerian youth. He commended the effort of the Katsina State Government for organising such an innovative project and seeing it through to the end.
Aliyu also disclosed that the automotive centre NADDC is building in Katsina State is almost completed and will further encourage and provide support for innovative automobile-related talents not only in Katsina State but across Nigeria as well.
