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Lagos
State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (3rd right); Lagos State Deputy
Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat (2nd
left); Special Adviser to the Governor
on SDG & Lagos Global, Mrs. Solape Hammond (left); Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Science
and Technology, Hakeem Fahm (2nd right) and Special Adviser to the Governor on
Innovation and Technology, Olatubosun Alake (right) in a group photograph with
grant beneficiaries at the Lagos State Science Research and Innovation Council
(LASRIC) Grant Award Ceremony held recently.
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News
The Lagos State Government
has awarded grants to start-ups and science research initiatives from various
universities within the state. The total grant of N100 million is part of the six
pillars of the development agenda of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration
which includes fuelling technology-driven innovations to transform Lagos into a
21st century digital economy and Smart City.
During the maiden edition
of Art of Technology (AOT Lagos 1.0) on 5th December 2019, Mr. Governor
announced a N250 million grant for science and technology-related ideas and
initiatives; today, it is a reality. The beneficiaries of LASRIC Grant are
innovating and solving problems in the area of food security, manufacturing,
health management and COVID-19 alleviation, and they are the first set to be
picked to benefit from the N250 million seed fund earmarked, last year, as
Research and Innovation Fund by the state government.
The fund is under the care
of the Lagos State Science Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC), an agency
established with the mandate to facilitate and encourage the development of
innovative solutions to solve local problems, using cutting-edge technology.
The fund is specifically set up to resource innovation, science and technology
ecosystem.
Congratulating the
recipients of the grant, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State said the
initiative aligns with his administration’s vision in turning the state into a
technology hub and therefore urged the recipients to use the grant judiciously.
“In December 2019seven months into the tenure
of this administration, we inaugurated the Lagos State Science Research and
Innovation Council (LASRIC) with a seed fund of 250 million naira, in
demonstration of our commitment to develop Lagos into a 21st century digital
economy and Smart City.
“You are all aware of the
T.H.E.M.E.S agenda of our administration, which sets out the vision for the
work that this administration has been elected to do on behalf of the people of
Lagos State. The first ‘E’, and the ‘M’ represent ‘Education and Technology’,
and ‘Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy’, the twin elements that underpin the
work of the Lagos State Research and Innovation Council,” he stated.
He added that science and
technology remain key enablers to transform the socio-economic and his
administration is on course to delivering good governance and bettering live of
Lagosians.
“Here in Lagos State, we are on the journey of
properly identifying, resourcing, enabling and building the great human
potential of Lagos State. Flagship projects such as the Metro fibre and the
Smart City initiative are key enablers for achieving this. We are also working
to transforming our Civil Service by encouraging innovative thinking and
deploying technology tools and processes.
LASRIC, and all of you its beneficiaries, are positioned to be a vital
part of this important journey,” he pointed.
Meanwhile, he urged
unsuccessful applicants not to lose hope, charging them to re-apply for the
grant in the next round of selection. He said the state government would be
increasing the grant to accommodate more innovators in the subsequent
application.
Explaining how transparent
the judging process was, Olatunbosun Alake, Special Adviser to the Governor on
Innovation and Technology said it was highly competitive and out of hundreds of
applications, 23 were selected to advance the cause of innovation and science
research. Some of the notable innovation beneficiaries were “PricePally” a food
aggregating platform, “DoCi-HealthCare”, “GiVo”, a circular economy company
that offers recycling solutions on IOT devices. Research initiatives included;
“Bioprospecting for anti COVID-19 remedies from indigenous medicinal plants”
led by Abimbola Sowemimo at The African Centreof Excellence for Drug
Research;“Development of Hydrogen Peroxide Biosensors for Detecting Post
Harvest Deterioration and Preparation of Chitosan-Derived Materials for Cassava
Shelf-life Elongation” led by Wesley Okiel at the University of Lagos and “The
Production of Fortified Municipal Solid Waste Derived Compost (MSW-C) for
Amending Soil to Improve Nutrient Release and Plant Growth” led by Akeem
Abayomi at UNILAG. (Full list of beneficiaries available at lasric.lagosstate.gov.ng)
“These recipients today represent key research
initiatives and innovative start-ups ready and qualified to be resourced for
the development of Lagos, and indeed the world. Let us have no doubt that this
event today is the first in many of this administration’s support and
development of the science and technology ecosystem. In understanding and
harnessing our environment, in solving our problems, in lifting people out of
poverty, in advancing in knowledge, let us understand that today marks another
milestone in the journey of a thousand miles. This here is tangible
development,” he explained.
Similarly, Professor
Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, LASRIC Chairman noted that the event is a testimony of Mr.
Governor’s commitment to the development of innovative thinking to solve our
everyday problems. He added that the event also shows that there is ingenuity
among Lagosians when provided the opportunity.
The high point of the
event was the presentation of cheques to the awardees by the governor. The
beneficiaries could not hide their joy, as they were full of praises to the
government.
Aisha Raheem, co-founder,
Farmz2U, a farm management platform, who received 5 million naira grant said
“The process was rigorous, insightful. We went through interview process with
Mrs. Solape, Mr. Tomi Davies and other mentors. It is great to have emerged a
winner. It just gives me hope that there is more that can be achieved in Lagos
State. I do hope that this is something that exponents across the country
because truly innovation is how countries speed-track their developments. And I
am confident that Lagos State is on track to achieve that.”
In the same vein, Luther
Lawoyin, Founder/CEO at Pricepally.com; a digital food corporative platform who
also received 5million naira grant said “It feels good to be part of this
process. It is a fund for us to continue what we are doing. Importantly, it
speaks to the fact that the state government recognizes the place of technology
in tackling the numerous challenges in the society. Encouraging people in the
technology circle means a lot and I hope they do more because funding is a big
deal in this ecosystem. This kind of gesture from the government will have
ripple effects.”
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