GITEX 2019: Pantami congratulates Bashir, Nigerian overall winner, laud NITDA

The Honourable Minister of Communications, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami FNCS, FBCS and leader of the Nigerian delegation to the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) 2019, has congratulated the winner of the startup innovation competition, Abdulkarim Bashir. The young Nigerian defeated 750 other contestants from 73 countries at the biggest technology and innovation show in the Middle East, Africa and Asia with his Artificial Intelligence security solution Chiniki Guard, aimed at detecting and alerting business owners of security breaches in their shops.

In a press statement on Wednesday, spokesperson to the Honourable Minister of Communications, Uwa Suleiman (Mrs) said the Minister also commended the efforts of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) for its relentless support, encouragement and motivation by providing sponsorship for the country’s young innovators to the event. An ecstatic Pantami further praised the immense contributions of the Office for ICT Innovation and Entreprenuership (OIIE), a subsidiary arm of NITDA, towards the development of indigenous technology innovation in Nigeria.

“NITDA as regulator of the IT Sector has continued to empower, promote and invest in young talent in the industry through the Office for ICT Innovation and Entreprenuership (OIIE) in a bid to drive the President’s vision for technological advancement in Nigeria. This is a national success worthy of celebration as our efforts have begun yielding the desired results. The success is a clear testimony of the commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in promoting our youths and other Nigerians as prioritised by the Executive Orders 003 and 005.” Dr Pantami further stated that “We will continue to support and encourage Local Content Development and Promotion in our determination to transform our economy from a resource – based to a knowledge – based society”

The Minister has directed NITDA and OIIE to continue to monitor and support the winner and other tech startups and ensure the deployment of their solutions in Nigeria.