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By Tare Youdeowei & Olayinka Latona

MINDAfrica Leadership Initiative, a Port Harcourt-based non-governmental organisation, has called on stakeholders in the nation’s educational system to develop the culture of creativity among Nigerian students.

The Chairman, Board of Trustees of MindAfrica, Engr. Emeka Ene made the call during 2016 MindAfrica School Maker Faire, a one-day event that hosted more than 400 primary and secondary students showcasing their creativity, inventiveness and resourcefulness in Port Harcourt.

Innovative capacities

Ene said Nigerian children possess the skills and talents to solve the nation’s practical problems and it was in view of this that the organisation is building the creative and innovative capacities of young people in ways that will enhance their potential for success adding that every child is a maker.

In his words: “Nigerians have the brains and knowledge; if we empower our children to be hands-on, to create things, to apply their imagination, to combine knowledge with practical solutions, we would become very successful as a nation.”

Also speaking, the Executive Director, MindAfrica, Ms. Olere Iluebbey urged well meaning Nigerians to support young children in the initiative. She said, “we want to use this platform to showcase what young people can do and we want to encourage corporate organizations to come and support these young ones.”

Highlights from the student’s project exhibitions include: a battery powered incubator by students from State Primary School, Elekahia, which emerged  first place in the primary category, a mobile multifunction radio by Community Secondary School, Rumuomasi, which came first in the Junior category and a solar power back-up by community Secondary School Igwuruta which came out  first in the senior category.

Other projects exhibited by students included a mobile phone detector by Dietams International College, wind turbine powered cold room by Community Secondary School Oginigba, electrochemical cell-powered charcoal pot by Government Girls Secondary School Rumukwuta and many other projects from 19 schools.