The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says he is amazed by the indomitable spirit of Nigerian inventors who are making waves globally.
The minister stated this on Thursday in Lagos after inspection of innovative technology initiated by Unicorn Group, a Pan-Africa investment organisation targeting innovative ideas.
Addressing some of the innovators, the minister said he was particularly excited by an innovation by Koniku, a US-based Nigerian firm, which built a device that seamlessly detects explosives through sniffing.
The device, said to have been deployed effectively at airports, could also be used for other purposes because of its innovative technology that digitises the sense of smell and taste .
Mohammed, who said he was glad that the technology would be coming to Nigeria for use in the petroleum and health industries, thanked the innovator, Oshiorenoya Agabi, for bridging the gap between Silicon Valley and Nigeria
The minister also expressed excitement over another innovation by a Nigerian, Adebayo Alonge, who invented a device to detect fake drugs.
The device named, RXALL, as explained by Unicorn Chairman, Dr Akintoye Akindele, is a scanner that uses light to analyse component of drugs and can discover unwholesome substances in adulterated drugs.
The inventor was said to have almost died at a young age when he took a fake drug, an experience that made him to read Pharmacy in the university and researched into the innovation.
The minister also commended the innovator of Film anatomies that is using 3D technology.
He thanked the innovator “for saving Nigeria Television Authority in particular some good money through the film anatomies.”
Other innovations commended by the minister are the Inschool, an Education Market that takes education to all irrespective of where they are and Edusko.com that connects parents with good schools.
Others are I & 0 fashion for women of all shapes and sizes and YAHSHUD in the real estate industry.
Mohammed also commended Unicorn for being the rallying point for all the innovators, stressing that the organisation is a true representation of the Nigerian spirit giving hope and helping to build a new country.
“Unicorn is watering the seeds of innovation.
” Unicorn is showing that impossible is not Nigerian. Impossible is not African
“Thank you for believing in Nigeria and for putting your money where your mouth is.
“Bringing children into this whole ecosystem is a winner. Bringing children from different disadvantaged communities is a game changer
“Seeing young Nigerian authors rising to become world beaters is inspiring. This is where dreams come true. This is where ideas are born and they become reality,” he said.
On his part, the Unicorn chairman underscored the need for the private sector to partner with the government in developing skills and providing job opportunity for the youths.
Akindele underscored the need to build the capacity of the numerous talented and innovative Nigerian youths for positive and productive ventures
He also stressed the need for Nigerians to tell their positive stories of innovations to the world. (NAN)
