The Acting Secretary to the Yobe State Government, Dr Mohammed Goje, has presented a total of N5 million to winners of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Menstrual Hygiene Innovation Challenge.
At a ceremony held in Damaturu, five innovators received N1 million each in recognition of ideas aimed at improving menstrual hygiene management and promoting sustainable, community-based solutions.
The competition, organised by SEMA in collaboration with development partners, attracted 259 submissions from young innovators across Yobe State.
Organisers said measures were put in place to ensure transparency and credibility throughout the selection process. Participants were assigned unique identification numbers and remained anonymous during the three stages of screening, review, and selection.
The identities of contestants were disclosed only after the final scoring and announcement of winners.
Speaking at the event, Dr Goje praised the judges and technical committee for conducting what he described as a transparent and credible exercise.
He said the initiative reflected the commitment of the Yobe State Government, under Governor Mai Mala Buni, to promoting innovation, empowering young people, and supporting locally driven solutions to health and social challenges.
Dr Goje also congratulated the winners and encouraged them to continue developing innovative ideas capable of improving the wellbeing of women and girls in their communities.
Representatives of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), government officials, relatives of the award recipients, and other stakeholders attended the ceremony.
