As Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria celebrates the state creation tagged Akwa Ibom at 35, the state governor Mr. Udom Emmanuel has recognised the progress of the tech ecosystem in the state and has awarded the founder of Start Innovation Hub – Mr. Hanson Johnson with a Productivity Order Of Merit Award in ICT.
The award was presented at the State Banquet Hall on Saturday the 24th of September, 2022 by the State Governor in company of his wife as a mark of recognition to the efforts of certain individuals who have made remarkable strides in various industries in the state as the state celebrates her 35 years of creation tagged Akwa Ibom at 35.
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This honour followed a pre award and recognition in the “Business and Leadership Awards in Creativity and Innovation Category” handed to Mr. Johnson Friday, the 23rd September, 2022 to mark the Dakkada 7th anniversary.
The Dakkada philosophy was introduced by the State governor on assumption of office in May 2015 to help spur up young people in the state to rise to the greatness that is laid within them and take the world by storm in business, creativity and leadership.
On his Facebook page, a delighted Hanson wrote while appreciating those who have been part of the journey to his hall of fame.
“On Friday 23rd September 2022, I was awarded the Dakkada 7th Anniversary Business and Leadership Awards as winner in Creativity and Innovation Category. On Saturday 24th September 2022, I was treated to a State Banquet and got decorated by His Excellency Mr. Udom Emmanuel and his wife and presented Akwa Ibom State Productivity Order Of Merit Award in ICT.
I want to first thank the Almighty God for everything, my wife for managing me like this, especially the aspect of using family time to build the future through Start Innovation Hub as the platform, our team at Start Innovation Hub is the best and the Udom Emmanuel led administration of Akwa Ibom State Government for living the Dakkada philosophy dreams and specially Sir Raphael Edem for being a source of confidence and steadfastness.
My parents are wonderful, always supporting, my brother Goldman, Inoyo Toro Foundation for sponsoring the first ever Akwa Ibom Tech Week that gave us the visibility that attracted greater opportunities to the ecosystem. My ecosystem family members at Akwa Ibom Tech Community, this award is the beginning of everything we are ripe for.
Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke is our unofficial Public Relations Executive. He advocates for us everywhere. The Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey , quietly supporting always. The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comr. Ini Ememobong carries our matter on his head 24/7 Ime Uwah MefLyn Anwana always there to engage, Prince Ukpong Akpabio for the confidence in us to handle the ICT component of Ibom 3000 Project. My brother Borono Bassey who is always available when we need him, AKISAN USA Inc President Itoro Akpan-Iquot Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta – PIND for their partnerships, Cletus Ukpong , Kay Okas and Edidiong Udobia for always reminding us that we are doing the right thing, we should not relent and many others not mentioned here.
This calls for more excellence and we are committed to make it happen.”
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The Akwa Ibom Tech ecosystem has witnessed a significant growth as young people continue to identify with various skills to enhance their productivity within the ecosystem.
This growth has been a function of individual contribution in informing, encouraging and training of young people within the ecosystem and offering necessary assistance that helps in the manifestation of this skills.
Before the recognition, Mr. Johnson of Start Innovation Hub, Tony Onuk and Francis Onuk of the RootHub, Samuel Ogu of Codekago interactive and various others have played a significant role in making the impact of the industry felt within the state.
This recognition therefore gives hope that one day a successive government may see the need to partner effectively and fund the tech ecosystem to help more young people innovate and create technology that will change the narrative within the Akwa Ibom tech ecosystem.
