Winner of Simeon Agu Prize for Software Entrepreneur Gets Cheque

Mr. David Aboluwarin Olaoluwa, the winner of Simeon Agu prize for Software Entrepreneur has been presented with a cheque of N250,000.

Mr. Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, President, the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), while presenting the cheque extolled the virtues of Late Simeon Agu as a strong believer in local content.

According to him, “the Executive Orders 3 and 5 we see today came as a result of struggles Simeon Agu started during president Obasanjo’s tenure in office. He fought to ensure that government patronises indigenous software”.

He added that the prize is given to start-ups because of ISPON’s commitment to grow the industry and pledged the association’s resolve to sustain the prize.

In the selection of winner in the competition for this year, ISPON looked at the work done by start-ups from September 2020 – September 2021, before selecting the winner, based on the criteria for selection, which include: Idea, Impact, Business Model Innovation and Funding.

“The panel of judges shortlisted three finalists who were later voted for by the general public. A combination of number of votes garnered as well as points scored from the technical review of the start-up by the judges, largely determine the winner”, Mba-Uzoukwu said.

Olaoluwa, is the founder of Future Academy Africa, a training website where young Nigerians are trained on software development and coding.

Established in 2012 in collaboration with the family of Late Simeon Agu, the pioneer President of ISPON, the prize is meant to keep alive the memories of Simeon Agu for his contributions to the software profession and industry in Nigeria.

Neptune Software Group, the sponsors of the annual award, is the software company, established by the late Simeon Agu.

Mr. David Majomi, Managing Director, Neptune Software, who represented the family of Simeon Agu at the prize presentation, said Neptune Software Group still maintained its operations in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, India, with its headquarters in the United Kingdom, even after the demise of Simeon Agu some years ago.