By Sulaiman T. Jalloh
On Friday 4th August, 2023 at the Gallery of Limkokwing University in Hill station, one of the country’s leading Telecommunications companies, Orange SL, held its 5th edition Of the Orange Social Venture Prizes (OSVP) where they presented NLe150,000 to the two lucky winners, Hawanatu Turay from Tech Queen, and James Samba. James Samba became the grand Winner of the show by scooping NLe100,000 and Hawanatu Turay bagged NLe50,000 for their innovative ideas in the 2023 OSVP.
Welcoming all those present to grace the groundbreaking occasion, Orange Head of Public Relations, Mabel Mason, gave a brief background of the Orange Social Venture Prize, which she said, started five years ago.
With the introduction of this show, Mabel said, Orange has empowered a good number of youths by creating the platform for them to showcase their talents.
“Today history repeat itself again in helping the youths to move in terms of innovation”, Mabel added.
In his statement while welcoming all present to the occasion, Kamal Abass, Orange Public Relations officer, welcomed all to the pitch night of Orange Social Venture Prize and said this is the 5th edition of OSVP and 13th edition in the middle east of Africa as they will continue to make history in terms of technology and creating the platform for start-up and young innovators and at the same time pushing Gender equality.
Giving the keynote address, the CEO of Orange, Shekou Amadou, started off by stating that OSVP started in 2019 to help young talented innovators to showcase their talents. Since the introduction of OSVP, he said, Orange has always helped to boost digital transformation in Africa and the middle east.
He further said “for today event” two winners emerged victorious- one bagging NLe100,000 and the other NeLe50,000.
Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Haja Wurie, said that the establishment of the OSVP will help to create impact in the area of Education, Health, Agriculture, E-commerce and will enhance the living conditions of Women and sustainable development in Africa and the middle East.
She said in the dynamics of landmark progress, Technology stands for transformational change. However, the Social venture Prizes is here to make that change.
“innovation holds the key for improving the living conditions of women and making them agent of sustainable development…
Education has a role to play in this to nurture their mind to unlock their potential in innovation and technology”, said the Minister, noting that empowering young people and providing the opportunities for them in innovation, and E-learning can bolster transformative changes.
The Minister of Communication Technology and innovation, Ms Haja Salimatu Bah made a short, but succinct statement by saying this project will help to improve the life of young learners especially women in Sierra Leone.
“OSVP is here to empower women in the digital space”, said the Minister of Communications.
