By Ragan M. Conteh
Orange Sierra Leone, the most reliable mobile company and best technology innovator in the country, on Friday 2nd October 2020 dished out thirty five million Leones (Le35, 000, 000) and other consolation prices to its 2nd Edition Social Venture Price winners.
The final social venture, showcasing the debate ceremony, took place at the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), New England in Freetown.
Informing participants, the Company’s Public Relation Officer, Mabel Manson, informed her audience that the Orange Social Venture Prices innovation started last year, and appreciable prices and other prices were given to winners of the competition.
Mabel Manson revealed that Orange has a local monitory platform that identifies key young technology and other local innovators, and empowers those poised to bring user friendly innovative skills for the development of Sierra Leone.
The PRO pointed out that last year’s event was very interesting and was able to identify young innovators who showcased their platforms during the competition.
Mabel Manson reveals Orange’s ultimate aim, which is to help young innovators and empowering their innovative destiny in order for them to actualize their dreams and become useful citizens in the country.
The Friday 2nd October 2020 finalists also showcased their talents during the show organised at the SLBC. Three finalists were enlisted, including Bayoh Turay, Isata Jalloh and Mark Fomba, respectively. The three finalists were assessed by reputable personalities through virtual and visible judges.
During the competition, young innovators were able to express their innovative ideas; given enough time to explore their talents and were able to put more premium on how they can make them talent user friendly.
After thorough scrutiny, Bayoh Turay, with ‘Salone Agric Makit’ innovation, emerged the winner; Isata Jalloh, of ‘Stem Garage’ idea, came second, and Mark Fomba, who invented the ATM machine, came third.
Orange Sierra Leone, as one of the best companies with reliable, affordable and user friendly network and reliable internet platforms, dished out Le20 million to Bayoh Turay, as first winner, Le10 million to Isata Jalloh and Le 5 million to Mark Fomba as second and third winners, respectively.
Other consolidation prices, including modems with subscriptions, were also given to other winners of the competition.
Foreign judges expressed delight over the innovation brought by Orange Sierra Leone to ensure empowerment of citizen’s innovators.
According to them, this can only be of utmost importance if the Company continues with such empowerment for the young people, especially innovators, in Sierra Leone.
Judges admonished beneficiaries to use their talents for the benefit of not only their personal self but for the development of entrepreneurship in the country.
Bayoh Turay, who invented ‘Salone Agric Markit’ platform, expressed delight for the confidence reposed on him by Orange Sierra Leone, adding that the time has now come for him to continue boosting his innovative skills for the benefit of not only his personal self but for all and sundry.
He revealed that Orange Sierra Leone will make the journey successful, as he has been yearning for such opportunity and pledged to continue to improve on his innovative ideas in the country. The second winner, Isata Jalloh, and the runner-up, Mark Fomba, all appreciate Orange Company for such a laudable venture.
Meanwhile, Orange Sierra Leone, as part of her corporate social responsibility, has assured the public that the Social Venture Price competition is a sustainable project that will stand the test of time. Orange urged all local innovators to grab the opportunity in the next competition in 2021.