Daniella Soje, an 11 year old student of Dansol High School, Ikeja Lagos, who uses home materials such as toothpicks and matchsticks to design artwork has emerged star prize winner of $1000 at the World Child Innovation (Nigeria) Awards.
The award is the brainchild of Turkey’s Elvan Groups Founder, Mustafa Kadiroglu, an entrepreneur and innovator.
The group forged an alliance with Coderina, Africa’s foremost Youth Capacity Development not-for-profit organisation, after finding information about the group’s activities online.
Daniella’s innovative skills and ability to sell over 1000 artworks earned her the position of first place out of about 156 applications submitted for the awards.
Idrees Najeer; a student of Glisten International Academy, Abuja, who built a helicopter out of disused material came second and won $500, while Ujunwa Madu, a student of Spring of Life International School, Enugu State won the third place prize of $250 for creating an interactive game using a program called Scratch; a software program developed by MIT.
Ujunwa learned scratch through the Africa Code Week program, a continent wide initiative of SAP.
The Africa Code Week is an initiative launched in year 2015 by SAP that brings together hundreds of schools, teachers, governments, businesses and non-profit organisations with the aim to empower young people across Africa with digital literacy skills.
The winners were chosen after analysis and deliberation by the judges comprising of Aminat Showole; head of department (HOD), computer science department, University of Abuja, Peter Oluka; the editor, TechEconomy.ng, Adem Karaduman; the export manager of Africa at Elvan Group and Olajide Ademola Ajayi; IT manager at SAP Ireland.
Kola Osundeyi, assistant director at the Federal Ministry of Education, described the creative works submitted by the children from all over Nigeria as a testament to the bright future that lies ahead of the country; a creative, knowledge-based economy principally driven by innovators.
Osundeyi who spoke at the venue of the event, said that the program aligns with the ministry’s desire to strengthen the education structure in the country and increase innovation and creativity among students.
“We will not rest on our oars, especially in enlightening the entire citizenry on the importance of STEM (Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics) education to our nation building. This ministry is committed to projects that offer opportunities for young people to display entrepreneurial and strong innovative prowess that can be commercialised”, he said.
Osundeyi extolled the organisers for fishing out the young people who submitted entries. “More importantly, these young people are going to proffer solutions to our local problems, so they deserve our supports”, he said.
On her part, Samira Jibir, the chief executive officer, Glisten International Academy, Abuja- Nigeria, thanked the organisers- Coderina and Elvan- for choosing the school to host the event.
“I must commend Coderina for the opportunity they are offering our kids and others in different schools. I am most happy that the Federal Ministry of Education has accepted to work with them to promote and grow students’ interest in STEM (Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics, across schools.
“To promote innovation, Glisten has project-based learning; we tweaked our curriculum to encourage trade (entrepreneurial) skills among the Students. That has allowed them to innovate.
“Again, we allow them to play. Like the little boy that received award today. It was on the course of playing that it occurred to him that he can create something out of the material he was using to play. ‘Playing’ is the best form for the child to learn. Our role is to mentor or coach them to fly”, Jibir added.
Henry Ibeh, country managing director of Elvan Group (Nigeria), said his company will continue to support such initiatives that will ensure Nigeria meets its developmental needs.
As a brand, he said, Elvan Group encourages young people to pursue problem solving approach to education.
Meanwhile, Akinniyi Obaide, Coderina’s relationships and engagement director said; “This awards ceremony actually showcase our commitment to inspire, motivate and reward creativity among African youths. We need to raise problem solvers and innovators.”
Jumoke Akiyode-Lawanson
