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Four junior secondary school students in Nigeria have created a mobile app
that could revolutionise agriculture globally. Sponsored by Guaranty Trust
Bank plc, they are on the verge of making history at the globally renowned
Conrad Challenge Annual Innovation Summit in Florida, USA.
Aged between 12 and 14, Mordi Menashi, Gbemi Famobiwo, Afolabi Williams
and Osagumwenro Ugbo, all from Whitesands School Lagos and known together
as Team Neon, created a VirtualFarm Application which helps farmers manage
their farm and connect with their target markets. With its innovation, the
team entered the Conrad Challenge, which encourages high school students
to develop cutting-edge solutions to real-world problems in the areas of
Aviation, Cyber Technology, Environment and Health, amongst others.
Competing in the ‘Smoke-Free World’ category, Nigeria’s Team Neon made it
to the final stage of the competition, which will be held during the 2018
Spirit of Innovation Summit at the Kennedy Space Centre, from the 25th to
28th April, 2018. “Improving extension services in rural Africa is a
critical step for any agricultural change and Team Neon makes a good case
for how the VirtualFarm technology will work,” said the Judges of the
Challenge. This is the first time that African farmers will have access to
the package, which has a range of technical advice, [and] with the USSD
version of the app, it would be a win-win for the team.
Inspired by the team’s outstanding young talents and driven by its passion
for innovation, leading African bank, Guaranty Trust Bank plc, is
sponsoring the young innovators to the finale of the Conrad Challenge. The
Bank’s sponsorship includes, among other benefits, the total coverage of
the team’s travel and stay in America.
Guaranty Trust Bank plc has consistently played a leading role in Africa’s
banking industry and is regarded by industry watchers as one of Africa’s
most innovative financial institutions. The Bank also maintains an active
and clearly defined Corporate Social Responsibility policy, which is
focused on promoting education for all, fostering community development,
promoting arts and protecting the environment.