Author Archives: iKapture Networks

Technovation Girls challenge equips young women (ages 10-18) to become tech entrepreneurs and leaders. With the support of volunteer and mentors, girls work in teams to code mobile apps that address real-world problems. This annual competition is hosted in the South South region of Nigeria by iKapture Centre for Development with support from the U.S. Embassy in Abuja and American Space Calabar.

The journey began in January, 2021. Secondary schools and after-school centers in Cross River State were visited as well as those in Abia, Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi State to brief them about the program. With the support of the school administrations and their mentors, over 250 girls accepted our challenge to form teams, identify and solve real-world problems in their communities through technology and entrepreneurship. With the guidance of their mentors, they spent about five months participating in the program: learning how to code and create mobile apps to solve community problems like poor quality of education, lack of healthcare services, fake food products and more. 

However, the success of the program would not have been possible without the support of the regional ambassador, Grace Ihejiamaizu and the over 35 mentors who worked with teams from start to finish, providing the resources and motivation they needed to complete their projects and members of the organizing team for step-by-step guidance throughout the timeline. In her opening address, the current Executive Director of iKapture Centre for Development, Mrs. Juliet Inyang, said “the Technovation program is one of the yearly ingenious programs offered by iKapture Centre for Development among others like Academic tutorials, Digital Summer Bootcamp and YLead Fellowship. We encourage you parents and guardian to take advantages of these program by enrolling your wards. Thinking of technology? Think Technovation… At iKapture, your young girls are the future of Tech!”.

The celebration with about 300 people in attendance including participants, teachers, mentors, parents, guests and volunteers was aimed at bringing girls together, inspiring and encouraging them to take on more tech studies and competitions.

The Special Guest of Honour, Dr. Betta Edu, Cross River State Commissioner for Health, whose presence was graciously enjoyed by all, encouraged the participants to practice innovative thinking as the world is transforming rapidly with technology.

The event was graced by other dignitaries and notable personalities in Cross River State such as Engr. Dr. Mrs. Faithpraise Otosi (Pioneer HOD of Computer Engineering, UNICAL), Mr. Patrick Ndifon (CEO of Psifon), Hon. Emmanuel Etim (SSA to the Governor on Youth Affairs, CRS), and Mr. Elisha  Agbama (CEO of 525 System). The guest speakers and panelists gave enjoyable warmth as they commended the effort of the sponsors and organizers of Technovation and enjoined that empowerment be continued for the girl-child. The girls were urged to become tech savvy, grabbing every learning opportunity as it comes. 

Excitement could be seen in the faces of all, as awards were given to participating schools, mentors, and dignitaries. The event ended with everyone celebrating and grateful to the Technovation Girls Nigeria.

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Over the years, young people have been described to be the leaders of tomorrow, uncertain about what tomorrow holds which is why iKapture Centre for Development has invested the last 9 years in ensuring that young people are better equipped to be the leaders of our present times.

This year, due to the pandemic, many organizations have been forced to adapt to the new normal. Organizations have adapted through a shift from physical convenings, conferences, and engagements to virtual versions of these programmes and initiatives which have the potential to reach a wider audience.

The YLEAD Fellowship as the flagship program of iKapture Centre for Development has impacted young people in the South-South region of Nigeria over the last 9 years. To mark the 10th Anniversary, the YLEAD 2020 fellowship program held virtually hosting over 24 participants from across 9 states in Nigeria.

The Virtual program provided a platform for young people to learn from experienced thought leaders, share knowledge with changemakers, and also create meaningful networks. Participants were exposed to 1 week of training, 2 weeks of internship with top organizations in Nigeria, a Business Simulation Exercise which encouraged an entrepreneurial drive for the participants, and a 1-month Mentorship program with experienced leaders in various industries. The program recorded remarkable success as participants gave their honest feedback on the program

The world is evolving as fast as possible with its speed as that of light, only those who are innovative are worth the tasks ahead. Life is beyond survival for the fittest, it is all wrapped by living a life of impact and purpose, “What do you have to offer”. The business simulation taught me this. – Akinlose Titilayo. YLEAD Class of 2020

I learned a whole lot of things, the internship and business spaces taught me resilience, perseverance, how to work with people in an office or work environment, and teamwork as I had to work with a team to make our business idea pull through, I learned how to manage my time, the risks in business and to maximize profit. I also learned that in business you can start with little or nothing so the issue of huge capital to start up shouldn’t be a problem.- Azuh Jennifer, YLEAD CLass of 2020

The YLEAD Program has been very practical. I have been given the rare opportunity to learn, practice, and grow. I’m super grateful to all our amazing facilitators,  business coaches, mentors, YLEAD Program Coordinator, and iKapture Networks for this wonderful opportunity to be a part of this great program.- Destiny Aniyom, YLEAD Class of 2020

My YLEAD Journey has been an exciting one as I have learned a lot and most importantly met new amazing people – Okoro Peter Chibuike, YLEAD Class of 2020.

In celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the flagship program and graduation ceremony, the organization held its Virtual Anniversary Conference on the 13th of November with young people across Nigeria in attendance. The Keynote address was delivered by Wadi Ben-Hirki, Executive Director of Wadi Ben-Hirki Foundation on the theme Leadership & Entrepreneurship: Strengthening Youth Participation, she said “In order to strengthen youth participation, there is a need to map out and build strong networks and partnerships with key stakeholders needed to achieve your goals and objectives.

Our Guest speakers who spoke on various sub-themes include Joseph Etim Founder of Young People Connect Africa encouraged young people to leverage opportunities by starting with what is already available and within reach, Sani Muhammed, Executive Director Bridge Connect Africa Initiative also admonished young people that as a social entrepreneur it is important to build and maintain social relationships and collaborative partnerships, Ngunan Ioron Executive Director Samuel Ioron Foundation who gave a presentation on Entrepreneurship and Innovation for Young Leaders encouraged entrepreneurs not to be totally dependent on others but rather garner knowledge about the product they want to launch or develop.

The virtual conference gave young people and the graduands a sense of clarity and direction. Graduands were presented with certificates and also awarded for their outstanding performance.

The YLEAD CLASS OF 2020 Participants are;

About iKAPTURE CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT & YLEAD FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM:

iKapture Centre for Development is a nonprofit youth organization committed to raising the next generation of socially aware leaders and tech-savvy entrepreneurs in Africa. Now in its 10th year, iKapture’s flagship project, YLEAD, has reached over 500 young people with support from Michelle Obama’s Young African Women Leaders’ Forum Small Grants, British Council’s Global Changemakers, U.S. Department of State Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF), Ashoka’s Youth Venture and the American Corner Calabar.

The Youth Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Development (YLEAD) Fellowship is an immersive capacity building program designed to educate, engage, and equip young people with skills to prepare them for the world of work and transition from school to career. This four-week leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal development program is designed for students and secondary school graduates as well as out-of-school youth in Nigeria.

Young people today have taken the step to serve as bridge-builders who have chosen to transform their communities at the local, regional, national, and global levels. The 25 under 25 Young Leaders Changing the Game Award seeks to recognize African leaders actively championing change in their communities through the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

In commemoration of the International Youth Day and the 10^th Anniversary of iKapture’s flagship youth project, YLEAD, iKapture Networks launched a call for nominations of social leaders and Changemakers under 25, championing change in their communities in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Being the first Award launched by our Organization, we had a total of 700 applications from 24 African countries in which 25 finalists have been selected from the pool of applications representing categories such as; Poverty Eradication, Environment, Human Rights, Education, Health, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation.  We received amazing applications from young people who are actively solving problems at the grassroots level. Nominees were assessed by a panel of carefully selected judges based on their authenticity, relevance of the project, clarity of purpose, and alignment with the UN Global Goals.

The top 25 leaders will gather virtually from their various countries to connect and network with other changemakers on Friday, 2nd of October 2020. As an organization passionate about youth development, we are more than elated at the top 25 young leaders who represent a true definition of young leaders who are actively championing change in their community. 

The 2020 finalists for the 25 Under 25 Awards are:

Akingbola Adewunmi, 22, Nigeria: Founder of HealthDrive Nigeria, an initiative tasked with the responsibility of tackling the menace of infectious diseases with major emphasis on Hepatitis and liver diseases in Nigeria.

Alli Ajagbe, 18, Nigeria: Founder of DesignIT Africa – a tech agency that equips young scholars with IT and leadership skills.

Aloyce Urassa, 22, Tanzania: Youth leader for health under Results UK and Health Promotion Tanzania, where he advocates for better health systems.

Stanley Anigbogu, 21, Nigeria: Founder, ArtecHubs Nigeria which is a leading tech skill acquisition company for young minds in southeastern Nigeria.

Anna Suberu,24, Nigeria: Digital Campaigns Manager at Wadi Ben-Hirki Foundation, a registered organization that seeks to impact the lives of people through humanitarianism and advocacy.

Beatrace Ndisha Mwanjala, 23, Kenya: Founder, Luzimo Inspo Ventures which deals with the production of eco-friendly products to ensure that people reduce their carbon footprint without compromising lifestyle.

Chinenye Precious Rufus, 22, Nigeria:  Welfare and Human Resources Officer at Samuel Ioron Foundation -SIF where she educates young adolescents, girls, on menstrual health and distributes menstrual supplies under the “Red dot” of the Foundation.

David Shamala, 25, Kenya: Chief Operating Officer at Do It With Boldness Foundation addressing issues of Gender-Based Violence, Female Genital Mutilation, and child forced marriage.

Emmy Otwii, 25, Uganda: Founder, Youth Lens Hub, the first tech-based platform for rural entrepreneurs and startups which equips youth and women in rural areas with business skills, financial management skills, and guaranteeing them with Seed Capital and affordable loan in support of their micro-enterprises.

Frances Obonna, 23, Nigeria: Founder, Lagos Fashion Hangout is an annual fashion event for entrepreneurs in the fashion industry that educates them on how to develop a sustainable business structure by connecting them with fashion experts and business consultants who serve as tutors.

Ghislain Irakoze, 20, Rwanda: Founder and CEO of Wastezon, a Rwandan cleantech company that is on a mission of leveraging innovative technologies to create a waste-free world.

Hellena Sailas, 24, Tanzania: Environmental Activist & Founder of Arena Recycling, a company that deals with plastic waste management by recycling plastic waste into eco-friendly building materials for contractions.

Jephthah Adelowo, 25, Nigeria: Co-founder of JED Recycling Initiative which is a youth-led non-profit organization that is focused on increasing awareness about plastic pollution and adoption of the 4R in communities across Nigeria.

Kamusiime Azaria, 23, Uganda: Co-founder of Care Promotion and Poverty Alleviation Initiative (CPAI), a community-based organization serving less privileged communities in the rural communities of Mbarara-Uganda.

Margaret Osolo Odhiambo, 24, Kenya: -ordinator ofCo-ordinator Health Programmes, The Streetwise Transformers, an advocacy platform for childhood cancers, injuries, and blood disorders facilitating health literacy, access for timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment, medical financing/mental health support thereby promoting resilience and hope to pediatric patients and their families.

Miracle Adesina, 23, Nigeria: Country Coordinator, Slum and Rural Health Initiative (SRHIN), a mental and sexual health advocate, researcher, healthcare innovator with experience in social entrepreneurship, and youth-focused mental and sexual health advocacy.

Natasha Sichula, 22, Zambia: Founder of HERZ Movement (Her Empowerment Race Zone) advocating for underprivileged women’s health.

Precious Okereke, 19, Nigeria: Founder of AccountHub Global Institute(AGI), a FinTech company eradicating financial illusion and establishing financial inclusion for sustainable growth and economic development.

Sedera Lalason,21, Madagascar: Founder of EmpowerMen Madagascar, an organization that promotes positive masculinity in his country.

Ssenyange Apollo, 20, Uganda: Founder, Nansana Cleaning Club initiative which advocates for a litter-free and green town.

Trevor Lichuma, 25, Kenya: Founder of Young Leaders Nation a youth-led social change development organization working to engage often-unengaged young people to volunteer for social good by offering a platform for young people to become active citizens in the community.

Tryphine Kemigisha, 24, Uganda: Co-founder, Upcycle Africa a social enterprise that focuses on environmental restoration, protection, and improvement in the lives of marginalized groups of people through waste education and Zero waste campaigns in communities in order to change people’s mindset on the way they think about the disposal of plastic waste.

Ahmednoor Bashir, 22, Kenya: Founder, Kesho Alliance, a nonprofit that advocates for quality education, youth and women empowerment, peace building and violence extremism in Garissa, Kenya.

Oliver Mwalongo, 24 , Tanzania: Founder, M-raise, a tech-based platform focused on providing solutions to maternal issues such as poor access to health and income generation opportunities for mothers and children in Tanzania.

Mumbe Mwangangi,25 , Kenya: Founder, Twi Vamwe, an organisation focused on improving the quality of education through creating user-friendly materials for students in Kitui, Kenya.

About the 25 Under 25 Awards:

The 25 under 25 Young Leaders Changing the Game Award seeks to recognize African leaders actively championing change in their communities through the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This award recognizes

• Young people who have been engaged in development work, business or engaged in a leadership role either in a professional or voluntary capacity;
• Young people who have a strong track record of implementing innovative ideas and linking their work and its impact on one of the 17 SDGs
• Young people who have demonstrated an understanding of the importance of youth engagement in key areas of development, business, and Leadership.

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