To-Be-Connected Nigeria, a project and business platform aimed at mobilizing talents, innovations, research and creativity of Nigerians for collaboration and commercialization with the local and global industry, over the weekend , was unveiled in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
The initiative seeks to among other things, provide physical and virtual platforms to facilitate linkages for athletes, creative artists, authors, breakthrough medicine and softway development.
Unveiling the project, the Founder/CEO, To-Be-Connected Nigeria, Hon. Faruk Yabo said there were very many creative Nigerians in sports and other creative ventures whose talents have not been discovered and encouraged.
He said the project is therefore geared towards unlocking the many potentials of the country to the world.
While assuring that To-Be-Connected Nigeria will promote research assets from within and outside the academic sphere, he said;
“In Africa, research development and talent promotion remain a mirage. The traditional convention of institutions to institutions linkages by silo structures within government agencies in the continent led to a major gap that hinders research and innovations from thriving.
To-Be-Connected Nigeria and its African partners will break these barriers comprehensively by connecting individuals to institutions and vice versa”.
“Academic pursuits and other potentials will be designed to target the needs and requirements of industry(s), thus creating employment and economic opportunities for generally the younger generation”. He added
He assured talented Nigerians that To-Be- Connected Nigeria will establish links with Nigerian Copyrights Commission and the world Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) based in Geneva to protect and patent Nigeria’s intellectual and innovation assets.
Also speaking, Samson Siasia, a Nigerian former football striker and the former head coach of the Nigerian Men’s National football team said To-Be-Connected Nigeria was also in Akwa Ibom for football talent hunt.
Siasia who acknowleged that Akwa Ibom has the best stadium in Africa and one of the best in the world, considers such provision as most suitable for talent discovery.
The sports veteran who consider football a big business, regretted that the Federal Government of Nigeria has failed in its responsibility towards its footballers, especially when it comes to medical support in the event of injury.
While hinting that the talent hunt was targeted at 150 kids between the ages 15-20, Siasia assured that provision has been made to ensure that such talented youths are equally supported to actualize their academic dreams.
Other partners and resource persons including Dr. Pavlos Pavlou, Co Founder, To-Be-Connected Europe and Carolann Alt, CEO Empower Management Company, Los Angeles, USA, consider Nigerians as very talented and creative people, whose knowledge and talents can be converted to huge income for the country if something can be invested to develop their uncommon knowledge.
Credit : Idongesit Ashameri
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