... Hotel.ng empowers first batch and for graduands

By Uduak Inwang

The Graduation Ceremony of the 1st Batch of Software development and visual designers internship program 2017 organised by the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Science and Technology in Partnership with Hotels.ng came to a close today at the Conference Center of the Ibom E-Library in Uyo.

The event attracted huge attendance from across the technology ecosystem of the State. According to the convener and CEO of Hotels.ng Mark Essien, the tech community in Akwa Ibom State is evolving and within the next 2years, the State will be the biggest software community in Nigeria. With this development, he maintained that Akwa Ibom State will become the biggest Software hub in Africa, he said.

The Commissioner for Science and Technology, Prof Nse Udo Essien speaking at the graduation ceremony highlighted some of the government's achievements to include the reactivation of the technology ecosystem in Akwa Ibom State hence the partnership with Hotels.ng to open up employment opportunities for Akwa Ibom youths.

Also speaking at the event, one of the 50 successful graduands, Miss Mfonobong expressed happiness over the outcome of the training. "I had no laptop but I participated with my phone and I'm excited to be among the finalists of Hotels.ng internship program 2017." she said.

Nsikak Thompson, a finalist who built an android application for Hotels.ng and his 6 man team were awarded a cash price of N250,000 by the CEO of Hotels.ng, Mr Mark Essien. "I want to thank the Akwa Ibom State Government for this opportunity and we expect more of this and we believe that Akwa Ibom State will soon become the biggest Software hub in Africa", he said.

Highpoint of the event was Cash donations by Mr. Mark Essien to 4 teams who successfully created and completed the task given at the end of the 3 months training, the team leaders were Nsikak Thompson who got 250,000 with his 6 team members created Hotels.ng Android app. Richard Umoaffia and his 10 man team got 250,000 for creating Hotels.ng Business Chat App. Miss Mercy Ikpe with her 18 man team got 250,000 for creating a Financial Management Application while Warrie Usenobong and his 10 man developer team got 250,000 and created Hotels.ng Api Documentation.

Others in attendance included the Director of ICT in the ministry of Science and Technology, the ICT aide to the Governor, Mr. Solomon Eyo, CEO of Start Innovation Hub Mr. Hanson Johnson and others..

I will be doing my Industrial Training in a Software Company in Uyo this Year!!!
Thank you Jesus!! I'm so happy about me doing my Software app development passion in Uyo!