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Nigerian Teenage Girls invent Urine-powered Generator

Young Nigerians have always been emerging and creating ideas to solve certain societal and contribute to the development of the nation. In this regard, Four Nigerian teenage girls have invented what seems utmost surprising – A URINE-POWERED GENERATOR.

Duro-Aina Adebola (14), Akindele Abiola (14), Faleke Oluwatoyin (14) and Bello Eniola (15) displayed to Nigeria and the world that one litre of what had been termed a ‘useless waste’ can be converted and used to create six hours of electricity. The invention which was displayed at this year’s Maker Faire Africa – earlier this month – in Lagos has been described to work like this;

  • Urine is put into an electrolytic cell, which separates out the hydrogen.
  • The hydrogen goes into a water filter for purification, which then gets pushed into the gas cylinder.
  • The gas cylinder pushes hydrogen into a cylinder of liquid borax, which is used to remove the moisture from the hydrogen gas.
  • This purified hydrogen gas is pushed into the generator.
  • One litre of urine will generate 6 hours of electricity.

Their invention, I believe, if properly looked into and enhanced can create unprecedented ease (if totally domesticated) even for people living in rural settlements, and could serve as a major source of energy.

To the prodigies – Adebola, Abiola, Oluwatoyin and Eniola –, do not relent. May you be endowed with more strength and wisdom as you chart your course in life. Truly, there is hope for Nigeria and Nigerians.

Source: MakerFaireAfrica
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Youths discuss participation in qualitative governance at the NETAD Young and Emerging Leaders Summit

In recent times, the idea of youth participation in governance has become a popular discourse in Nigeria. Young people are getting more interested and sensitised on the need for active participation in the decision-making process. It is on this note that over 3000 youths across the country met last Thursday to chart a way forward.The colourful event, tagged, “Young and Emerging Leaders Summit”, was organised by Network for Talent Discovery (NETAD), an organisation committed to making positive contribution in ensuring talent discovery and development, leadership development and fostering patriotism among teenagers in the African continent and beyond.
The morning rain could not deter the participants who were already seated by 10am at the magnificent Aduke Maina Hall, Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Some of them were youth leaders from Ogun, Lagos, Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Kwara, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Kano, Gombe, among other states. Members of the Youth Parliament, Ogun State, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society were also at the summit.
Students of the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB), Premier Grammar School, Abeokuta and Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta were also present in their numbers.
In her keynote address entitled, “Youth Participation in Qualitative Governance:Mirage or Reality?”, wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun charged the youths to get themselves involved in the process of evolving a better future, adding that the act of good or qualitative governance is not an exclusive preserve of a particular generation.
Mrs. Amosun, who was represented by the wife of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Ogun State, Dr. (Mrs.) Rasheedat Salisu, said: “ As a mother, I see our youths as the pivotal pillars with abundant and fresh energy that can help us build a great future. It is a truism that ideas rule the world. Our youths are full of ideas and they have responsibility to come forward to make those ideas available so as to take our society to the next level.
“The theme is very apt and timely, considering leadership challenges our dear nation is passing through. Though these challenges are not insurmount-able, it requires our concerted efforts to bring forth new ideas in order to transform our society.”
The facilitator and Executive Coordinator of NETAD, Aanu Damola Morenikeji thanked the participants for the success of the programme. And in his presentation tagged: “Emerging Societies, Emerging Leaders”, he described leaders as people who are able to think and act creatively in non-routine situations and who set out to influence the actions, beliefs and feelings of others to achieve set goals.
The 18-year-old Ogun State Youth Coordinator, Nigerian Red Cross Society, and winner, Ogun State 2012 Youth Award for Excellence in Health and Community Service, noted that 10,000 new leadership positions shall emerge over the next de-cade in different fields.
“The world is changing. The world is emerging. Everything is shifting, even nature. Only those who change along with it shall survive. Only the unique folks, visionary leaders shall emerge to rule in the new world order,” he asserted.
Morenikeji, who is an author (having written six story books) and motivational speaker, told the participants that “the three things that can stop you from becoming your dream is you! you!! and you!!!”
Another speaker, Ogunbowale Oludayo made a stimulating presentation. Speaking on “Participation is you;Encouraging blue ocean participation”, Oludaya who is President, DESPLAY Af-rica Republic, Season 7, defined youth participation as young people getting involved in what happens around them and decisions that affect their lives and well-being.
He enumerated corruption, bad governance, non functional education, hike in fuel pump price, poor health care, unemploy-ment, inequality, among other problems, as some of the reasons that call for their participation.
“Get involved today in social change and what’s happening around you! Nigeria, democracy, your community offers a unique space and possibilities….what do you offer as youths? To live is to participate!” he charged.
Similarly, National President of The Young Journalists Fo-rum, Ayodele Samuel Ayokunle pointed that there are over 45 million young people in Nigeria, yet 90 per cent of these populations are not involved in decision-making process while less than 50 percent have access to one form of social media.
Making a presentation on “Youth Participation in Gover-nance and Decision Making; Using the Social Media Effectively in Nigeria,” Ayokunle urged the tech-savvy young Nigerians to gear up to use BlackBerries, mobile phones and social networking services such as Twitter and Facebook to contribute to decision making process.
Interestingly, budding artistes, comedians and others displayed their talents to the admiration of everybody in the hall.  Participants were, however, given certificates.
NOTE: The above article was written by Leonard Okachie and published by National Mirror. Click here to view story.
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Five books at 18, still burning to write

For 18-year-old Damola Morenikeji, Muse is one good force that he is not in a hurry to end his friendship with. This is because since they had a contact when he was nine, the ink of his pen has been flowing ceaselessly, with five books to show now.

The Federal University of Abeokuta student, who hails from Ogun State, says his writing skill was discovered by his parents when he was six years old.
He states, ‘‘They encouraged me and simultaneously taught me that there is a time for everything. In 2002, while I was concluding my primary school education – at the age of nine – I was challenged to write my first book. That challenge gave birth to the book, ‘Spare the rod and spoil the child’. In 2003, while preparing for a promotion examination, I wrote another book titled ‘The Glorious Child’, a book that talks about the erroneous belief people have about educating the female child. In 2004, during the long vacation, I wrote the third book titled ‘No Other Chance’.
According to him, the titles of his other books are ‘A stroll to the Animal Kingdom’ and ‘The evil that Money do.’ His latest work is ‘The So-Called Police,’ which he says, has yet to be published.
The author, who studies Plant Physiology and Crop Production says that they are plays but he is still working on prose and poetry. He adds that he writes to effect positive change in society.
He, however, notes that it had not been easy publishing the books due to the challenges he often faced with funds. ‘‘It is quite unfortunate that after several budding writers get their manuscripts prepared, they do not many publishing outfits willing to publish their works. Most times, they have to fully bear the cost of production,’’ he explains.

Because of the impact of his works Morenikeji emerged the Second runners-up during the 2006 Artiste of the Year Award of Excellence organised by the state.

 Note: The above article was published by Punch newspaper on Tuesday, 24th January, 2012.

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LET’S CELEBRATE FIVE YEARS OF BUILDING OUR NATIONAL IMAGE

The Nigerian Flag and Coat of Arm is known to be one of the most important national symbols of the country – Nigeria. The flag symbolizes in no small measure greenery, harmony and a sense of togetherness – which comes in mind when the Name Nigeria is mentioned.

Unfortunately however, the Nigerian flag which is known to be a peculiar object in describing the image of the country has been left uncelebrated for several years. Going history lane, the image of the United States as inscribed in its National flag is been celebrated annually. The celebration is meant to bring the consciousness of its citizens to the fact that there exists a flag which denotes what the country stands for.
Battling this back drop, a group of patriotic Nigerian led by Akinola Solanke in the year 2007 celebrated the first ever Flag Day in the history of Nigeria which made Nigeria at that time, the second nation in Africa to celebrate its Flag day after Liberia and recently Ethiopia whose parliament just passed their Flag Day bill in on October 1, 2008. The Flag Day is known as the birthday of the Flag and it was been celebrated since 1877 by the United States and about fifty other countries.
The event, which has proven to be a useful tool to inspire a high level Spirit of Patriotism and a sense of belonging in their citizenry had successfully been celebrated in Ogun State in the year 2008 and Plateau State in the year 2009.
Celebrating five years of outstanding efforts by Patriotic young Nigerians, a Non-governmental organization whose aim is to promote national value re-orientation and education of all and sundry towards the creation of a new Nigeria – Initiative for Promotion of Our Flag Image in Nigeria” – has put things in shape towards the celebration of the 2011 National Flag Day.
In a release signed by its Public Relations officer, Rotimi Atunluse Abayomi, he made it know to our correspondent that the event is scheduled as follows;
Date:Saturday, 24th September 2011
 I.      Press Conference
Venue: Conference Hall, Duban International Hotels, After Murhi International (NGR) Ltd. 63/65, Aguda, Ogba, Lagos, Nigeria.
Time: 10am – 11am prompt.
II.  Anniversary Lecture
Venue: Conference Hall, Duban International Hotels, After Murhi International (NGR) Ltd. 63/65, Aguda, Ogba, Lagos, Nigeria.
      Time: 11.00.am prompt.
     Theme: “Promoting Peace and National Unity through Civic Orientation and Patriotic Education.”
Akin Solanke and Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi

In a chat with the Executive Director, Initiative for Promotion of Our Flag Image in Nigeria – Building Our National Image [BONI] project, Mr. Akinola Solanke, dignitaries expected at the press conference includes Pa Taiwo Michael Akinkunmi (the designer of the Nigerian Flag), Engr. Abiodun Fijabi (Chairman Board of Directors, Initiative for Promotion of our Flag Image in Nigeria), State Director of the National Orientation Agency and other stake holders. He further revealed that the Anniversary Lecture will be honoured with the presence of Chief John Dara, (Chairman, National Transformation Party) as the Chairman of the Occasion, Ambassador Segun Olusola as the Father of the day, Mrs. Margaret E. Obanya (Director Administration, Voice of Nigeria), Mr. Ibirogba Aderemi (the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State), Mrs. Tokunbo Fayokun (Oyo State Commissioner for Education) as special guests of honour.

The keynote speakers are Mr. Fela Durotoye and Barrister Yomi Okunnu.
For more information, kindly contact Solanke Akinola on 07040383732 or www.boniproject.com.