Quadruple partnership for 9jApps contest 2013

*Microsoft, Nokia, Dell CCHub on queue

 

In effort at creating a bigger pie, the Nigeria application developers may be in for a better days as software giant, Microsoft Nigeria is leading the trio of Nokia, Dell and Co-Creation Hub (CCHub) offices in Nigeria, are jointly offering multi-million naira prize.

Managing Director, Microsoft West Africa, Mr. Emma Onyeje disclosed that the prizes which come in two categories consist of Window 8 Apps and Windows phone in that order, and portend good omen for contestants as six finalists will have cause to smile at the end of the competition by June 14, 2013.

For the Window 8 Apps category, the grand prize will be expected to go home with 2012/2013 KIA Rio automobile, and the second prize is N750,000 cash while the third prize winner will go home with a Windows 8 device each (X5).

And for the Windows phone category, he revealed that the grand prize will smile750, 000, second prize will get N500,000, whereas the third prize winner will get a Windows Phone 8 device (X5).

He also explained that the 9japps contest is a Microsoft initiative aimed at fostering innovation and creating personality around developers and their apps, in collaboration with Nokia, Dell and CCHub Nigeria.

The challenge, he said, has been designed to empower local developers to take advantage of Microsoft’s new tools and resources to develop locally appealing and locally-relevant apps for the Windows platform, utilizing Visual Studio 2012 and the Windows Phone-Software Development Kit (SDK), in addition to the Windows Azure SDK.

He explained that the 9jApps contest will run for three months heralded with this announcement and climaxing by June, 14, 2013, stressing that this contest is intended to empower the next generation of Nigerian developers, by helping them drive innovation and grow the local software economy.

This push for economic development through African innovation is one of the key drivers of the Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative, launched continent-wide in February this year.

Microsoft, he said, is committed to working with Africa’s students, entrepreneurs, and independent developers to help them create the next generation of world-class African apps on the Window Platform, to bring relevant content and new business opportunities to people across the continent.

“Nigeria is blessed with enormous talents, and Microsoft is proud to be able to help these talented developers to acquire new skills that will help them explore their potential and reach new heights,” he said.

Also speaking, Developer and Platform Evangelism Lead, Microsoft Nigeria, Mr. Oyeshina Oyetosho, said this is not development for development’s sake.

L-R: Olayinka Oni, National Technology Officer, Microsoft Nigeria, Chuks Udensi,

Country Manager, Dell Nigeria, Emmanuel Onyeje, Country Manager, Microsoft Nigeria,

Olumide Balogun, Partner Manager, Developer Experience, Nokia, West Africa,

Tunji Elesho, Pre-Incubation and Research Lead, Co-Creation Hub Nigeria

and Oyeshina Oyetosho, Developer & Platform Evangelism Lead, Microsoft 

Nigeria at the press briefing to announce Microsoft 9jApps Competition in Lagos

“This contest is about giving developers the skills and tools they need to help them publish their apps to the Microsoft Store so they can monetize their innovation and share it with the world. The Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative is rooted in the belief that African innovation can and will shape the future, so it is our hope that contests like this one can help fuel that cycle,” he said.

 

According to him, entries must be in the respective stores (Windows 8 or Windows Phone) by 14 June 2013 at 23:59:59 GMT, while Apps published and available in store before the contests are not eligible. Just as Apps developed for the Windows Phone platform must be compatible with low-end Windows devices.

Equally speaking, the Partner Manager, Developer Experience at Nokia West Africa, Mr. Olumide Balogun noted that Nokia is thrilled to partner with Microsoft, to bring the 9jApps competition to both students and independent developers.

“We are looking forward to some great solutions on the phone side leveraging both Microsoft WP and our Lumia devices capabilities to deliver locally relevant apps that we can export to the world,” he said.

On his part, the Country Manager, Dell, Nigeria Chuks Udensi assured of Dell’s commitment to the partnership and looks forward to great innovations to come from the competition.

And for Tunji Elesho Pre-Incubation and Research Lead for CCHub, “The Microsoft 4Afrika initiative is a laudable one which seeks to empower Africans. The entire plethora of what Microsoft is bringing is massive.”

Remmy Nweke & Sherif Ahilara 
... Making SENSE of digital revolution!