Ikhine Excited By Obaseki’s Tech Reforms, Offers Two Startups 1m Grant

A former governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Engr. Gideon Ikhine has offered a grant of N1 million to two start-ups at the state’s Innovation hub.

According to Engr. Ikhine, the reason for his decision is due to the impact of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s reforms in building a vibrant technology and innovation community at the Edo Innovation Hub.

The former governorship aspirant made the offer during a tour of the businesses and services offered at the multi-location facilities of the Edo State Skills Development Agency (EdoJobs), in Benin City.

He said he was impressed by the enthusiasm displayed by youths at the centre, noting that Governor Obaseki’s support for youths and entrepreneurship was quite commendable and unprecedented.

The startups that benefited from Engr. Ikhine’s N1m offer are Team Fluffy, which seeks to digitise the cake making business and Quill Books, a startup working on an online library idea at the hub. Each of the teams got N500, 000.

Members of Team Fluffy include: Osarumwense Odigie,
Agbonyinma Nosakhare, Ohwojeheri Triumph, Umeobi Jacinta, Ayeni Sylvester and Faithful Owhojeri.

For Quill Books, the team has Omokaro Precious, Glory Obasi, Odeh Jeremiah, Otakhor Annette, Showunmi Samson and Anna Edokpolor.

The Edo Innovation Hub is a cluster for innovators and inventors in Benin City, and is priming youth to evolve and strengthen the state’s technology ecosystem.

The hub hosts the South-South Innovation Hub with two halls, five training rooms, six fully-furnished co-working spaces, four rooms with a total of 100 computers, offices, conference rooms, outdoor workspaces, among others.