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SEDC Unveils Winners of Landmark South East Venture Capital Pitch Contest
By Gloria Ikibah
The South East Development Commission (SEDC) has announced the winners of the maiden edition of the South East Venture Capital Program (SEVCP) Pitch Competition, signalling what officials described as a major step towards building a stronger innovation and enterprise ecosystem across Nigeria’s South East.
The competition ended with a high-profile Finals Day and Investment Ceremony in Enugu, where startups from sectors including healthcare, artificial intelligence, clean energy, agriculture, fintech, logistics, education technology and mobility presented their business ideas before investors and industry experts.
The initiative was organised under two categories — the Incubator Track and the Accelerator Track. While the Incubator Track focused on supporting early-stage businesses with foundational development and venture readiness, the Accelerator Track targeted startups with more advanced and scalable business models.
At the end of the selection process, ten startups emerged under the Incubator Track, while fifteen secured places under the Accelerator Track following a competitive evaluation involving investors, business executives, ecosystem leaders and industry specialists.
The Commission explained that although the accelerator category was initially designed to support twenty startups from an expected pool of thirty finalists, only twenty-five businesses eventually pitched before the panel. It stated that the number of winners was reduced to fifteen to preserve the quality and competitiveness of the programme.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SEDC, Mark Okoye II, said the Commission remained committed to supporting indigenous entrepreneurs capable of transforming the region’s economy.
Okoye added that the programme was designed to serve as more than a startup contest.
He said: “The Commission remains committed to identifying and supporting indigenous entrepreneurs capable of building scalable businesses that can drive industrialization, create jobs, attract investment, and reposition the South East as a leading innovation destination on the continent.”
“The South East Venture Capital Program is not merely a startup competition but a long-term economic development strategy designed to unlock the entrepreneurial potential of the region and strengthen the pipeline of investable businesses emerging from the South East.”
The selected startups are expected to receive financial backing, mentorship, investor access, technical support, advisory services and broader post-programme growth opportunities aimed at helping them become sustainable and investment-ready enterprises.
SEDC also reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with venture capital firms, innovation hubs, development institutions, academic organisations and private sector partners to deepen entrepreneurship and innovation-led economic growth across the South East.
The Commission further commended participating founders, judges, mentors, sponsors and ecosystem partners for contributing to the successful execution of the programme’s inaugural edition.
The startups selected under the Incubator Track are Health Vault NG LTD, VIBET BIO, Wattmuse Energy, KoboTrac, Simsak, Growdex, Farmi AI LTD, CNG Protect, Linia Finance and Keke Ride.
Those selected under the Accelerator Track include Ondigo Technologies Limited, Skilladder, KIRA AI LIMITED, RapidMedicare Limited, SmartAirs, Bra-X, Stur Africa, Nigenius, SpaceOps, FLOF CO, Case Radar, Smart Transport Grid Ltd (STRAG), 8Bit Digital Systems Limited, CLIMAX GREEN (AGROFUXION), and Afiari.
The Commission noted that the programme forms part of a broader long-term strategy aimed at driving innovation-led growth, strengthening enterprise development and building a globally competitive South East economy through sustained investment in entrepreneurship, technology and talent development.
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
Deaconess Angel Oyakhilome, mother of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy LoveWorld Nation fame, is dead.
Reports from Edo State say that she died at the age of 88 yesterday, Friday, September 25, 2026.
A local publication, Esan News Magazine, reported thus:
“An Iroko has fallen. A mother of nations is gone. Heaven has gained a saint.
According to information made available to Esan News Magazine by a prominent member of the Ekagholo Family of Idunwele, Ewu, Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, the matriarch of the great Oyakhilome Clan, the beloved mother of our son Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Deaconess Angel Oyakhilome, fondly called Big Mummy, has transited to glory.
September, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, love, humility and motherhood that touched generations across the world.
“Big Mummy was not just the mother of Pastor Chris. She was the mother of all. A virtuous woman, a prayer warrior, a woman of uncommon grace who raised children that have become global blessings and pride to Esan land.
“Idunwele Ewu is mourning. Ekagholo Family is mourning. Ewu Kingdom is mourning. Esanland is mourning. For we have lost an Okpokhuo, a true jewel of Esan motherhood.
“Her life was a testimony. She lived for God, she lived for family, she lived for humanity. Her laughter brought joy. Her prayers brought strength. Her counsel brought wisdom.
“On behalf of the management and staff of Esan News Magazine and the entire Esan Nation home and abroad, we extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to our dear elder brother, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, the entire Oyakhilome Clan, the Ekagholo Family of Idunwele Ewu, and the Christ Embassy family worldwide.
“We mourn with you in this time of grief. We stand with you. We pray that the good Lord who called Mama home will grant you all the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.
“May her gentle, beautiful and faithful soul rest in perfect peace. Rest on, Big Mummy. Rest on, beloved mother of Pastor Chris. Rest on, Iroko of Ewu.
“Adieu Mama!”
Meanwhile, a senior official of Christ Embassy who was contacted by News Express this Saturday afternoon neither confirmed nor denied the report.
He said: “I have heard the news, too, but it is not for me to confirm her death. I mean, she was aged 88.”
The official promised to make relevant contacts, adding: “I am sure that a statement would be issued if the news is true.”
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