It was a night of suspense here in Swakopmund, Namibia, with thousands of delegates, particularly the youths caught up in unbelievable anxiety over who wins the best tech start-up wizkid entrepreneur in Africa, 2023..
Nigeria’s Conelius Ugwunwa, Ntshabo lehong, and Gloria kisilu of South Africa and Kenya respectively scalled the hurdles into the top three, and the announcement of the winner differed to the sixth edition of the very engaging tourism challenge to be hosted by Botswana next year.
There were five winners going into the finals, with Nigeria producing three out of five and with Kenya and South Africa, coming behind, to the finals which romped into a close call yesterday after an intense but interesting project evaluation by a team of technology and tourism experts at the indoor Hall of Dome Hotel in Swakopmund.
Nigeria’ s finalists of Ibukunoluwa Salau, based in the United Kingdom, Mustapha Tijjani, and Cornelius Ugwunwa, pushed through their tech travel solution apps presentations and received plaudits, indicative of the richness of their presentations while Kenya’ Gloria kisilu with her shaba craft brand and South Africa’ s Ntshabo lehong, swayed mystery adjudicators with her hospitality and wellness tec app.
Delegates feverishly rooted for their fancied contestants while the suspense lasted, with many on top of their voices, shouting ibu, ibu in reference to their expectations that Ibukunoluwa Salau of Nigeria, will make it into the last three finalists, after Cornelius Ugwunwa, also of Nigeria made it to the podium of honour.
Though all the top contenders got certificates of honour from Africa Tourism Partners, the real meat of the challenge remains who takes away the one thousand dollars prize money for being the best tourism technology talent revelation in Africa for the year 2023.
Interestingly, Gloria kisilu of Kenya was the toast of mystery judges, men and women at the event who were not listed as official adjudicators, but selected based on certain criteria by organisers. .
Kisilu will smile to the banks as announced by kwakye Donkor , headman of Africa Tourism Partners, organisers of the event.
Susan Akporiaye, President National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies and CEO, Topaz Travels, who was on hand to root for the Nigerian team and, indeed, poured intense passion towards their victory, garland the boys with Nigerian flag. It was emotional and patriotic, and the crowd here became Nigeriacentric.
I joined the celebrations, but with the announcement of the winner differed till the sixth edition next year in Botswana, it became wise for me to dance with one leg. In truth, irrespective of who was adjudged, the winner, these talented African young persons, will rule the world in a short while in the future. It is no prediction but a prophecy.
