News
SID Goes Global, Inducted into IASP at 41st World Conference in Kenya
Solution Innovation District (SID) has been officially inducted as a full member into the prestigious International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) at the 41st World Conference held recently in Nairobi, Kenya.
Chinwe Okoli, the Special Adviser to Anambra State Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation/CEO of Solution Innovation District, receiving the IASP induction (award) plaque.
The conference, themed “Demographics, Entrepreneurship, and Technology: Defining the Frontiers of Future Economies,” brought together a diverse global audience of innovation enablers, thought leaders, science experts, and policy makers from across the globe.
This significant achievement positions SID as a key player in the global innovation landscape, aligning perfectly with the vision of Mr. Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, to transform Anambra into a digital hub, popularly referred to as “Africa’s Silicon Valley.” By becoming part of the IASP – a globally recognized network of science parks and innovation areas, SID gains access to a vast community of over 400 member organizations from more than 76 countries, representing millions of innovators, scientists, entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders.
Governor Soludo’s agenda to build a Silicon Valley in Anambra takes a monumental leap forward with SID’s inclusion in IASP. This membership is a vital milestone in his efforts to establish Anambra as a center for innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. With access to IASP’s resources, networks, and expertise, SID is now better positioned to attract global investors, create strategic partnerships, and foster an environment where cutting-edge technology and ideas thrive.
The international audience of about 1,000 participants at the 41st IASP World Conference comprised eggheads in innovation and technology ecosystem from North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, bringing a wealth of cultural diversity and technological expertise to the discussions.
This diverse representation highlights the global nature of the innovation movement and emphasizes the unique potential for regions and states like Anambra to contribute to and benefit from the international tech ecosystem.
SID’s induction into IASP will provide Anambra’s youth, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts with unparalleled exposure to international trends, fostering an ecosystem that encourages creativity, invention and problem-solving at the highest level.
This development will accelerate the state’s vision of building a sustainable knowledge economy, driven by its rapidly growing youth population.
Already, SID has made significant strides in incubating startups and laying a strong foundation, building the tech ecosystem within the state.
Programs such as Code Anambra, levelUp Anambra, Teen Digital Bootcamp and the Techstars Startup Weekend are empowering young minds with the skills they need to thrive in the digital age. SID is also working to train talents on the project ‘1 million Anambra Digital Tribe’ – a core aspect of Governor Soludo’s agenda to empower the youth with digital and entrepreneurial skills, ensuring that Anambra becomes a leading innovation hub in Africa.
By connecting Anambra to the global innovation network, SID will play a pivotal role in harnessing the power of demographics, entrepreneurship, and technology—the three pillars that will define future economies.
Chinwe Okoli, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation who serves as the CEO of Solution Innovation District, stated, “Being inducted into IASP as a ‘Full Member’ is a significant milestone not just for SID, but for Anambra State.
This recognition is a validation of Mr. Governor’s efforts to put Anambra on the map as a destination for innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. With the global network , talents, experience and expertise we now have access to, we can push Mr Governor’s vision of developing Africa’s ‘Silicon Valley’ in Anambra further and faster than ever before.”
The inclusion of SID in this global body signals the state’s readiness to embrace the future of innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology as it continues to grow into a hub of digital transformation in Africa.
Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to collaborating with key stakeholders in the global information and broadcasting sector to strengthen Nigeria’s information dissemination framework.
This pledge was made on Monday during discussions with prominent broadcast and information companies at the ongoing National Association of Broadcasters Show 2025 in Las Vegas, United States.
Speaking at the event, Idris said the Bola Tinubu administration remained committed to adopting cutting-edge technologies and acquiring state-of-the-art equipment for Federal Government media organisations to ensure effective service delivery.
“Strategic communication is essential to ensuring that the policies of the Renewed Hope Agenda reach the Nigerian people effectively,” he stated.
The minister also highlighted the government’s plans to invest in upgrading facilities and replacing outdated infrastructure in radio, television, and other media institutions.
According to the minister, this will improve the dissemination of credible, balanced, and objective information to the public.
Idris further said that the government would explore collaborations and partnerships that would allow local broadcasters to benefit from emerging technologies and industry-specific training opportunities.
The minister had visited exhibitions showcasing hardware and software solutions during the event.
Items exhibited included broadcast antennas, transmitters, and studio equipment, which are pivotal for enhancing broadcasting capabilities.
Thomas King, Chairman of KINTRONIC Laboratories and Enrico Vaccari, Chief Operating Officer of Axel Technology SRL, had expressed their organisations’ readiness to partner with the Nigerian government.
Gianluca Baccalini, Chief Operating Officer of System Engineering Solutions and Khiran Keerodhur, Chief Operating Officer of Thomson Broadcast, among others, also expressed commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s broadcasting landscape and regulatory agencies.
Idris is leading a delegation of chief executives of agencies in his ministry to the NAB event.
Members of the delegation included the Managing Director of NAN, Ali Muhammad Ali, and the Director-General of the Nigeria Television Authority, Salihu Dembos.
Others are the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Charles Ebuebu; and Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, Lekan Fadolapo.
Also in the delegation is the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Ndace.The forum, NAN reports, is to strengthen broadcast collaborations and form strategic alliances. The NAB event, running from Saturday to Wednesday, has as theme: “The Technology, The Trend, The Future.”
NAN also reports that the forum is focusing on a range of topics, including Artificial Intelligence, cloud visualisation, creator economy, as well as sports production and streaming.
In a glowing testimonial that reveals the rising influence of Konga 103.7FM beyond Lagos, a business merchant from Kano, Mr. Ishaku Mohammed, shared how the station’s late-night programming helped him overcome insomnia and reconnect with hope.
Mr. Mohammed, who was in Lagos to attend a wedding, stumbled on KongaFM by chance, but the impact, he says, was life-changing.
“KongaFM solved my insomnia. It was like a miracle. I tuned in around 9 pm and left the radio on. The inspirational songs and messages gave me peace and helped me sleep properly again, for the first time in a long while,” said Mr. Mohammed.
Having returned to Kano, he now streams the station regularly on kongafm.com, calling it “a sound of hope in changing times.”
The testimonial has been widely shared on social media, drawing attention to the station’s unique blend of entertainment and emotionally resonant content. With increasing listenership on-air and via digital streams across Nigeria and, by extension, the world, Konga 103.7FM is quickly becoming a household name in the country’s evolving media space.
Speaking on the impact, Ifeoma Ajumobi, Head of Konga TV & Radio, noted: “Mr. Mohammed is exactly why we do what we do. At KongaFM, we’re not just filling the airwaves with music or talk, but filling a gap in people’s lives 24hrs daily. Whether it’s easing stress, igniting hope, as a domain of knowledge, or simply keeping people company through the night, our goal is to be the voice that truly resonates.
“We are building a station that listens, heals, inspires, and leads. And as we continue expanding our reach, our mission remains clear: to be Nigeria’s most human radio experience. One voice, one story, one soul at a time.”
KongaFM continues to deliver engaging programming in entertainment, inspiration, commerce, and culture. With a growing footprint in northern and southern Nigeria and a commitment to reflecting the voices of real people, the AI tech-driven station is positioning itself as a trailblazer in 21st-century African radio broadcasting.
Advertising Offences Tribunal (AOT) has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Captain Ado Sanusi, managing director, Aero Contractors Company of Nigeria Limited, for failing to appear before the tribunal in an ongoing case concerning alleged violations of Nigerian advertising laws.
The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) filed a 22-count charge against Captain Sanusi and Aero Contractors, accusing them of exposing advertisements targeted at the Nigerian market without obtaining the necessary approval from the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP). This, according to ARCON, contravenes established Nigerian advertising regulations.
The case was initially scheduled for hearing on February 26, 2025. However, during the proceedings, Captain Sanusi was absent, prompting his legal representatives to assure the tribunal of his presence at the next hearing while also pleading for leniency. Despite these assurances, the defendant failed to appear on the adjourned date.
Given Captain Sanusi’s continued absence, the Advertising Offences Tribunal, in line with its mandate to enforce compliance with advertising regulations, issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
The tribunal has ordered that he be presented at its next sitting, scheduled for May 8, 2025.
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