FOR those who have been positively influenced by the
internet, here’s a chance to share your web journey. Google is calling on
entrepreneurs, creators, innovators and web-lovers in Nigeria and across Africa
to share their stories of how the web has transformed their lives and work.
Whether you’re a photographer, an entrepreneur, a fashion designer or a
community activist, if the internet and Google tools have played an important
role in your success, Google wants to hear from you.
In the next five years, 7 out of the world’s 10
fastest growing economies are predicted to be in Africa, and the Internet is
playing an important part in this. Google’s new initiative, ‘Africa
Connected: Success stories powered by the web’, aims to gather the largest
collection of inspiring stories about ventures established online by Africans,
in Africa. Five successful entrants will win $25,000 each, and will also
have the opportunity to work with a Google sponsor over a six-month period.
“Google wants to hear from young, spirited
entrepreneurial web adopters in Nigeria and other countries in Sub-Saharan
Africa who have a healthy disregard for the impossible and who are using the
web and technology to do cool and extraordinary things to rise above their
circumstances, change their world, and achieve success. We want to showcase the
amazing achievements happening in the new Africa”, says Affiong Osuchukwu,
Google Lead for the Africa Connected initiative.
Aspiring filmmaker, cinematographer and editor Amuwa
Oluseyi Asurf is one such example. This Nigerian videographer has gone from
spending nights in internet cafes, so that he could watch YouTube to teach
himself how to edit films, to running a successful film and video production
company in Lagos, where he employs 10 people. His company; Asurf Films is today
courted by Nigerian celebrities such as Basket Mouth, Iyanya, Wizkid, Psquare
and Bovi, to film their music/entertainment videos locally and internationally.
"My journey started with a passion to become a
filmmaker. Unfortunately, even though I got admission to some good
universities, I couldn't afford to go. Luckily I was introduced to the internet
and to YouTube. I discovered I could learn everything I needed to know online.
It feels great to have some of the top celebrities in Nigeria inviting me to
their projects. This inspires me to want to become even better. I am still on
the journey to becoming one of the top names in African filmmaking, and I know
the internet will still continue to play an important role."
The owner and creator of Afrinolly, Chike
Maduegbuna, based in Nigeria, is another online entrepreneur. Afrinolly
is a popular mobile app which lets people across the continent watch short
videos on their mobile devices. This app has transformed Nigeria’s Nollywood
film industry by creating a movie trailer platform for new audiences. With over
3 million downloads already since its launch in August 2011, Chike hopes this
will create a platform that connects aspiring film professionals with global
film industry veterans.
Nigerian judge and radio personality / fashion
photographer Temilola Balogun commented, “The internet is truly helping to
reshape the story of Africa, and Nigerians are some of those taking full
advantage of its power. Whether you are in technology, agriculture, energy,
fashion, education, or entertainment, if the web has transformed your life, and
you believe your venture can be scaled up, then the judging panel is looking
forward to hearing your story”.
Categories for entries include Education;
Entertainment/Arts/Sports; Technology; Community and NGOs; and Small
Businesses. 20 semi-finalists will be selected from initial entries to take
part in an interview and to produce a short promotional video. A judging panel
made up of Googlers and external judges will then determine the 10 finalists.
The 5 winners, in whose lives the web and Google have played a pivotal
role, will then be selected by the online voting public. Submissions are
open from August 27, 2013 to October 11, 2013. The competition will run
until February 2014 when the winners will be announced.
Google’s media partners in Nigeria for the Africa
Connected initiative include the Steam Broadcasting Group owners of Cool FM, Nigeria Info
FM and Wazobia FM.
The Nigerian representative joining the Africa
Connected judging panel is Cool FM radio personality and fashion photographer Temilola Balogun.
For more information and to enter the Africa Connected
contest, visit www.africaconnected.com
The deadline for submissions is October 11, 2013. New
to the web? Learn more about the web and Google through this platform, so that
you too can do amazing things using the web as your springboard.
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