Microsoft partners UN Influx to address societal challenges with technology

Published by

In a bid to address societal challenges with technology, Microsoft has partnered with UN Influx to organise a hackathon event aimed at finding innovative solutions that will help build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation as well as facilitate the attainment of sustainable development goals.

The three-day hackathon, which took place at Sidmach Technologies, Ikeja, had over 100 young programmers with unique solutions from all over the country in attendance.

In his opening address, the Regional Lead, UN Influx, Mr Olufunbi Falayi stated that the hackathon event was necessitated by the need to push for the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. According to him, “There is an important need to remain committed to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals as set by the United Nations.”

Falayi noted that solutions that will be built at the event would focus on Goal 9 of the SDGs which is building infrastructure.

“Lagos Nigeria is the only African city and one of the nine regions participating in this UN Hackathon exercise globally and 9 winning ideas from all nine regions would feature at the UN Headquarters during the Science and Technology Summit later in the year,” Falayi said.

The Public Sector Director, Microsoft Nigeria, Hakeem Adeniji-Adele informed participants that Microsoft is at the fore front of addressing global challenges by enabling entrepreneurs with technology, especially in this era of digital transformation. He added, “The focus of this hackathon is build solutions that address innovation, which is one of the pillars of Sustainable Development Goals and to increase access for all youths to learn computer science, empowering them to achieve more for themselves, their families and their communities as well.”

Announcing winning ideas at the end of the event, Falayi expressed optimism at the potentials of these solutions to transform various sectors they will feature in. The winning ideas include Smart Transit, an integrated transport system that gives commuters real-time information on buses routes, stops and fares via mobile application; Flowes, A GIS enabled cross-platform application that monitors and forecasts flood imminence, disseminating information to the vulnerable flood region for early preparedness while reducing risk, mitigating and strengthening path to resiliency and LegitCar, a car theft deterrent system which enables a car buyer search a vast database of stolen vehicles in Nigeria and verify their potential cars are not listed as one.

Recent Posts

Protesters storm Lagos Assembly over delayed implementation of LG law

The protesters, under the aegis of the Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR), presented...

11 minutes ago

Nigeria’s sugar-sweetened beverage tax too low to impact public health — CAPPA

The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has raised concerns that the current Sugar-Sweetened…

20 minutes ago

How funds recovered from corrupt officials are being spent — EFCC

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, on…

35 minutes ago

Reps constitute two stakeholders’ committees on 5% user charge, disbursement

The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee set up to investigate the implementation and remittance…

46 minutes ago

Customs intercepts undeclared foreign currencies worth over N600m at Kano airport

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Command, has intercepted undeclared foreign currencies valued at over…

1 hour ago

Niger: Court remands four suspects for alleged culpable homicide

The Chief Magistrate Court number two has ordered the remand of four suspects for...

1 hour ago