It’s always said that ‘’a vision without a task is a dream; a task without a vision is drudgery, and a vision and a task is the hope of the world’’.

Despite the pioneering feat of the West in innovations /inventions in one form or the other, Africans, nay, Nigerians have proved the discordant voices wrong who always say that’’ nothing good can come out of the black race’’ In this millennium, the visions and aspirations of Nigerians are so sharp and great that they are recognized not only in Nigeria but internationally. Below are some of Nigeria’s innovators /inventors:

1. SAHEED ADEPOJU-Nigerian

Saheed Adepoju is the inventor of the INYE 1&2 tablet computers designed for the African markets.  Similarly, he is a co-founder of Encipher Limited, a Nigerian based technology Company that introduced the first android powered tablet into Nigeria.

INYE -1 was unveiled in April 2010. It’s a 7-inch resistive screen tablet. It runs android 2.1 and allows users to connect to the internet using its in-built Wi-Fi Card and to use an external 3G modem from GSM networks. It offers about 3 hours of battery life and allows HDMI output to HDMI capable devices.

               INYE-2 was unveiled in May 2011. It’s an 8-inch capacitive screen tablet. It runs Android 2.2

                And allows users to connect to the internet using its in-built Wi-Fi Card as well as it’s in-built

                SIM. It allows about 8 hours of battery life and allows users to connect to other USB devices.

2.  JELANI ALIYU (MFR) Nigerian

 He’s credited with designing General Motors’ leading auto brand, Chevrolet Volt. Jelami Was born in Kaduna State, Nigeria in I966. He originates from Sokoto State, Nigeria and  Earned an associate degree in architecture from Birnin -Kebbi Polytechnic in 1988. After graduation from the Polytechnic, Jelani worked at the Ministry of Works, Sokoto And later proceeded to the United States of America (USA) for additional qualification. He graduated in 1994 with a degree in Automobile Design from the College for Creative-Studies, Detroit, Michigan and was employed by General motors.

3. SEYI OYESOLA- Nigerian

He is a co-inventor of CompactOR or’’ Hospital in a Box’’, a solar-powered life-saving Operating   room which can be transported to remote areas of Africa and set up within Minutes. Seyi is a Nigerian trained Doctor and inventor, who had his basic science and Medical education at the The University of Lagos, Nigeria with a specialist in anaesthesia and Critical Care in the UK and USA In order to help bring surgically care to the grassroots in the continent, he co-developed CompactOR, or the ‘’Hospital in a Box’’, a portable medical system that contains Anaesthetic and surgical equipment. One major advantage of this invention is that the Operating suite is; light enough to be dropped into inaccessible zones by a helicopter And can be powered by solar panels

4.  GERALD ODO- Nigerian

This teenager at age 15, fascinated with toys, created his own  fashion of toys with scrap Materials, using painted plywood syringes, water, wire, small tubes along with motorcycle Battery to power the product. He made a dump-truck, excavator, and a helicopter.

5. DURO-AINA ADEBOLA, AKINDELE ABIOLA, FALEKE OLUWATOYIN and BELLO ENIOLA  (Nigerians)

In 2012, these four secondary school girls were credited to have invented urine- Powered generator which they showcased at Maker Faire Africa.According to these girls, the machine works thus:-Urine is put into an electrolytic cell, which cracks the urea into hydrogen Nitrogen and water-The hydrogen is purified with a water filter and is pushed into the gas Cylinder -The gas Cylinder pushes the hydrogen into Cylinder borax which removes Moisture from the hydrogen gas-The purified hydrogen is then pushed into the generator1-Litre of urine gives 6 hours of electricity.

6. MICHAEL ULCOMA-Nigerian

At age 13,in 2016, Michael ULCOMA  created a battery operated fans which he Christened Blue Wind Fans. When the fans are fully charged, can last up to 13 hours They are of different sizes eg. Tabletop, free-standing, etc. The materials he uses are Mostly aluminum wires and old cartons for packaging.

7. TIMOTHY ADDIGI TERFA-Nigerian

Engineer Timothy Addigi Terfa  , a UK trained Nigerian Engineer in 2016 built a Customized a tractor which he branded ‘ijodo’   meaning ‘labour’ in his native Tiv Language. According to Addigi, the tractor was built  with materials sourced In Nigeria and was designed with the ability to cover a wide range of farming jobs.

8. CYPRIAN EMEKA UZOH Nigerian

Cyprian holds more than 126 United States of American patents and over 160 patents Worldwide in semiconductor technology including US Patent No-6709562 ‘’ method Of making electroplated interconnection structures on integrated Circuit Chips, which Earned him the the inventor of the year Award in 2006 from the New York intellectualProperty Association.

Source: Creators archives/Zikoko, NL I P WATCH Website

I t is no longer strange globally of the recent ‘Hitler’ called CORONAVIRUS or  COVID -19 killing thousands of people without a machine gun or bullets.

What is this monster killing without bullet or machine guns, without mercy? According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered Coronavirus.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says that COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

For a better understanding of how the symptoms are, It is germane to notice the following:

       SYMPTOMS

• FEVER
• TIREDNESS
• DRY COUGH
• SHORTNESS OF BREATH, ACHES AND PAINS
• SORE  THROAT

                 HOW TO PREVENT INFECTION FROM CORONAVIRUS

1. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water  or clean with alcohol-based hand sanitizer
2. Keep at least I metre  distance between you  and people coughing or sneezing
3. Avoid touching your face
4. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing(you may use mouth/nose mask)
5. Stay indoor if you feel unwell
6. Avoid smoking or other activities that weaken the lungs
7. Practise physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and stay away from a large crowd

The World Health Organization hints that those with mild symptoms should self isolate and contact their medical provider or a COVID-19 information line for advice on testing or referral.

Helpline in Nigeria-Whatsapp –text Hi to NCDC-07087110839

It is pertinent to remember the information given by the Nigeria Health Minister-Prof. Ehanirie Osagie that ‘no private hospital in Nigeria has been authorized to treat coronavirus’. Let us help ourselves and help others against this deadly disease by obeying the medical expert’s counsels. Only accredited hospitals must attend to a suspected patient.

By- Idowu Julius

The issue of girl-child marriage is no longer a new thing. But the other side of it is whether people, -parents, in particular, understand the dangers involved in giving out their under-aged children in marriage. So, what is child marriage by definition and is it only among Africans that we have it? What are the reasons for girl-child marriage(s), how can we curb or expunge the practice? Are there any social implications? Let’s explore to find these.

Child –marriage is any formal or informal union where one or both parties are under the age of 18 years. Reliable records indicate that 12illion girls are married before the age of 18 years. Child marriage is found across countries, cultures, and religions. For example, the practice happens in Nigeria, Brazil, Indonesia, Ethiopia, North America, and Europe just to mention a few.

Many reasons have been advanced for this form of a barbaric, callous and dangerous form of union. Among these are gender inequality, poverty, traditions, and insecurity. The most common among these reasons are poverty and tradition/culture.

Many parents found it difficult to cater for their children after birth and therefore resort to trading them off before the ripe age of 18 years expecting  that they would get  some financial rewards  from such  ‘business’. Also, they believe that  the child(ren) will no longer be  their own ‘headache’ in terms of welfare which now rests solely on the husband. Similarly, in some traditions/cultures, friends agree to marry off their girl-child even while in the womb. The idea is like trade by barter. The help rendered in the past or to be rendered now or future is compensated with the promise of such under-aged girls without any recourse to their well-being or future.

On the social aspect, they regard it as a social status symbol making their girl-child raise babies to populate their environments, not minding the health  and psychological hazards involved. The underage is later in her husband’s house turned to a sex slave and instrument of abuse on the farm instead of going for formal or basic education to prepare her for future or womanhood. Some of them that are lucky to be in school before they are married off are scared of their precarious situations and daily looking forward to a change or stop to this uncivilized practice. For example, in Ethiopia, it was recorded that a girl was engaged at 8 years and now 12 years old!!! Her major dream now is looking forward to the moment she would leave the school to live with her husband-old enough to be her father.

Because of the serious social negative impact, the  child-marriage  is having  on these innocent  under-age girls and the society, a panorama  was conducted  with the public and other professionals. Let’s hear them:

INTERVIEW WITH MRS JAIYEOLA

Question-TIN- What do you understand by girl-child marriage?

Answer-Mrs. Jaiyeola- By my understanding, girl-child marriage is a union between an adult man and an under-aged girl of less than 18 years.

Question-TIN-What in your opinion is responsible for this?

Answer-Mrs Jaiyeola–I think it is lack of education and poverty.

Question-TIN- Can you give out your girl-child in marriage at such a tender age?

Answer- Mrs. Jaiyeola- Never. My girl-child(ren)  are in school and could not be engaged or married until after their education. By that time, they would be mature to decide who to marry.

Question-TIN-Do you envisage any danger in giving out a girl –child in marriage?

Answer- Mrs. Jaiyeola- Yes. It is not a good health-wise. The body system  of the  girl is not  yet developed, she should  still be under her parents and in school learning about  her body  and environment instead of rushing  to involving  herself in making babies.

Question-TIN-What counsel would you offer to parents giving out their children in marriage at the tender age of 12 years or less?

Answer- Mrs. Jaiyeola- They should desist from doing so. They should think of the future of these under-aged and should not be selfish because of the financial gains, they want to achieve. Also, the governments (nationally and globally) should make a law on this and enforce the implementation of the law not to allow girls below 18 years to go into marriage; they should make it illegal.

-Mrs. Jaiyeola is an Educationist and Statistician in Public service

INTERVIEW WITH MRS ALEOLUWA

Question-TIN –What do you understand by girl-child marriage?

Answer-Mrs Aleoluwa-Girl-Child marriage is any formal or informal union where one or both of the partners are under 18 years of age, especially the girl who is prone to many complications.

Question-TIN-Do you think this type of union is very convenient?

Answer-Mrs Aleoluwa- NO. It is a marriage of inconvenience where a girl-child is coarse or manipulated by parents into early and dangerous marriage without any consideration for the girl’s well being.

Question-TIN- Is this practice peculiar to the African continent?

Answer-Mrs AleOluwa- NO. It is universal. Although more common in Africa. Each year, 12 million girls are married before the age of 18 years; countries, cultures and religions not withstanding-23 girls, every minute, nearly every 2 seconds!

Question-TIN- Do you think this girl-child marriage brings positive development where it is practiced?

Answer-Mrs AleOluwa- There is no right-thinking person that would support an under-aged girl for marriage because of its numerous complications such as subjecting the girl to so many hardships in life, because she is not prepared for the task ahead. She may not know how to cope with relationship, hence end up being labeled ‘a failure’ if eventually divorced. Also, she will be under psychological trauma owing to a greater risk of violence, orchestrated by her supposedly rightful development. Because that is the age to be in a school where she will meet her age mates to learn so many things that would add value to her life.

Question-TIN-Apart from what you’ve mentioned, are there any other disadvantages?

Answer-Mrs AleOluwa- They ate numerous. She is robbed of her childhood experience; she will be trapped in poverty if she doesn’t go to school or learn any trade. It is a form of sexual abuse if forced into such a marriage by the parents. This type of union prevents such a girl-child from achieving her full potentials and unable to realize her dreams or ambitions as she wants.

Question-TIN-Health wise, is the girl-child safe?

Answer-Mrs AleOluwa- Health wise, she is exposed to so many complications ranging from sexually transmitted diseases(STD), mental illness, surgical cases i.e. ruptured uterus, vesicovaginal fistula in which urine will be leaking uncontrollably  out to  a hole formed, linked  to the urinary tract to the reproductive part. Because she is inexperienced, may not allow the baby, product of this marriage to survive because it’s a situation of ‘’a baby has given birth to a baby’’.

Question-TIN- So, there is no advantage in this girl-child marriage?

Answer-Mrs AleOluwa-Even if there is an advantage since the disadvantages override the merits, it is not worth it and we are talking about life in this case. If we value life, we will not look at the advantageous side of it which is very minimal. We should think of life which is paramount; marriage and procreation can still be achieved in later years.

-Mrs. AleOluwa is a professional Nurse at LAUTECH, Oshogbo

WHAT IS THE WAY FORWARD?

-According to Nurse Aleoluwa, obstetric fistula is an injury caused by obstructed labour and which often results in ‘Constance incontinence, shame, and other health problems for social segregation of the victims. Their young bodies are not fully developed and ready to bear children. In Nigeria, Niger state has the largest rate of child marriage in the world!!! Something drastic is to be done about it.

Our Churches, Mosques, Temples (India) should start preaching or sermonizing against child marriage. Pastors/Imams should find out their ages before joining them as husband and wife and use the word of God to discourage such a union.

Communication for change is crucial in this aspect. Let there be street drama, radio and television jingles to sensitize the populace all over the world on the dangers embedded in upholding this practice.

The belief that girl-child marriage is part of some cultures/traditions notwithstanding; it must be discouraged in order not to perpetuate the circle of poverty in various societies from generation to generation. The solution is not to condemn all traditions but to work with communities to change the traditions from within. According to GIRLS NOT BRIDES Champion, Graca Machel’’ Traditions are made by people; they can be changed by people’’.

Girl- Child marriage is not only for girls. Boys are married off too. According to UNICEF, 156 million men alive today were married before 18 years of age. Child marriage often pushes boys into the workforce and forces them to undertake adult responsibilities at unripe ages and before they are ready for it.

The Centre for women development in Nigeria and other similar departments in  countries affected should look into this issue objectively and act fast to discontinue the trend by partnering with their communities, agencies  and the media to use oral-media in campaigning against this deadly monster of child-marriage.

Interview conducted by –Idowu Julius