For a country that seems permanently designed to despair and is
persistently failing to inspire the citizens, particularly the true
patriots, there was a cheering news this week.
The news, which was not given coverage on the Nigerian mainstream
media, not even a mention in the technology columns, is the story about
the four teenage secondary school students that created the unique
invention of powering an electricity generator with urine.
Before
moving on on the story of the true four amazons and heroines in these
times of despair in our nation’s history, let’s spare space to ask what
really interest the mainstream media in Nigeria? Is it the paid adverts
that day after day, weeks and weeks numb our senses; hailing and most
times in superlative, albeit superfluous and far-from-the-truth terms,
the wreckers of our individual and collective destinies and dreams? Is
it the news of bomb blast by another soul
drenched in despair that sees
fulfillment only in wrecking more havoc?
These days I wonder what role the mainstream media serves the nation
and the citizens. For most of the recent times, the mainstream media
have fallen from the glorious height of being the ‘fourth estate of the
realm’ and disappearing with the fall is objectivity, inspiration,
professionalism, and more importantly sustainability. This concern for
some time has brought close to my heart the question of the
sustainability of the media houses built on sinking sands and basking in
ephemeral glories stationed in fleeting clouds. If these media houses
do not change their ways, in a matter of decade, many of them will be
dead just like the long forgotten leagues that reigned pre and post
independence.
Back to the cheering news, the online international media and in far
flung places, as far as China and the US reported the showcase of an
invention by four teenage girls – Duro-Aina Adebola, Akindele Abiola,
Faleke Oluwatoyin and Bello Eniola. These our four heroines, let’s call
them the ‘pee generator girls’ have push further the path to solving
global energy crisis using the most unlikely raw material – urine. These
four young ladies between the ages of 14 and 15 have set the stage for
advancing the science of power generation, exploring more possibilities
for reversing climate change and providing an enduring solution to our
perennial problem of waste.
This invention which must have of necessity been spurred by the
persisting darkness and problem of fueling generators in the
‘transformation era’ of subsidy removal and unending scarcity of
petroleum product is Nigerian. It is an evidence of the possibilities
inherent in the undying zeal and creativity of a people, whose nation’s
leadership know nothing but to persistently suppress the energy and
creative talents of her citizens, denying the African continent glories
worth emulating.
The urine powered generator which report in many online channels has
spurred many comments and debates by experts and pundits on the
technical feasibility of such invention, and of course, hateful comments
from the many naysayers; those who believe nothing good can come out of
the continent that has for long been consigned to despondency. This
invention is a testament that nothing commendable and worth-the-while is
impossible with us as Nigerians and as Africans, if we try and apply
our abiding and robust energies to healthy creativities.
While the pee-powered generator invention showcased at the Maker
Faire Africa event held November 5 and 6, 2012 in Lagos makes waves
across the world, the challenge for the leaders of Nigeria at the
various levels of both public and private sector, is how are we looking
inward for solving our persisting energy problems? Have we exhausted all
the possibilities within our borders for solving electricity problems
and the raging fuels scarcity grinding our economy to a halt? Have we
explored the use of our natural gas as alternative and cleaner option
for fueling our generators and automobiles? Imagine over a million jobs
that would be created if all the generators in Nigeria run on LPG, if
nearly all homes in Nigeria use gas for cooking and let say a quarter of
vehicles on our roads as well as tractors and other heavy duty
equipments are powered by gas!
The technology and science for solving our persisting energy and fuel
crisis are not beyond our reach. It is time to allow the inspiration of
the ‘pee generator girls’ sink through and throughout the nation.
Taofeek Ramat
Taofeekramat@yahoo.com
Dis is great, we need more of dis in NIG
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