Covenant Odedele
Oluwatomisin Kolawole, a 600 Level Veterinary Medicine student of the University of Ibadan has been awarded the Commonwealth Innovation Award for his groundbreaking effort in working towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
The award is a special one given to 15 highly innovative individuals across 54 countries of the Commonwealth to recognize their efforts in building innovative solutions to pressing development challenges.
Kolawole, who emerged as the only Nigerian among the awardees was awarded under the Prosperity category for building Vinsighte, a company which developed an Artificial Intelligence-powered reading application which helps thousands of visually impaired Nigerians read printed books and educational materials independently and conveniently.
According to the media release on the website, this year’s winners of the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards each received a trophy, £3,000 in prize money and the opportunity to scale up their innovations in collaboration with partners and mentors across the Commonwealth.
Kolawole, on Monday October 25 presented the award to the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adebola Ekanola in the presence of the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof Abiona and his deputy, Dr. Demola Lewis.
“I feel excited. It’s an amazing feat, and it’s an honour to emerge as the winner. But beyond, it’s a great one for my team because without them, we won’t have pulled this through,” he told UCJ UI.
