By Franca Ofili
Mrs Ramatu Aliyu, the Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, on Thursday said that the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has brought out the best of the creative talents of the youths.
Aliyu made the remark at the unveiling of “No-contact Hand Washing Machine”, held in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the machine was constructed by some Nigerian youths to tackle the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The minister expressed optimism that after the pandemic, the country would be better positioned by such initiatives of the youths.
She called on ministries and agencies to patronize goods with local contents in order to encourage the thriving of Nigeria’s local businesses.
According to her, “We are indeed delighted that our youths are looking inward rather than looking forward to foreign designers. With the outbreak of this COVID-19, they have the burning desire to be creative and innovative. This is indeed impressive.
“It is also a challenge to other ministries and agencies to also look inward by patronizing our own products to serve as an encouragement to do more.
“COVID-19 has brought out the best in our youths. Definitely, I am convinced that after the COVID-19 pandemic we will never be the same again.
“Hopefully we will be better off, upgrading our healthcare system, our attitude and culture will also change for good,” she said.
Mr Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, said that the youths of the country have taken up the task to finding solution to address coronavirus pandemic.
Dare said that some corps members are also producing face masks, hand sanitizers to help fight the virus.
According to him, the machine was a dual purpose sanitizing and hand washing machine, fitted with a water tank and a hose pipe for draining dirty water.
He said that the initiative was effectively complementing the Federal Government’s efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 among the citizens.
He challenged the youth to key into the ministry’s programmes and initiatives that would build their capacity for Digital Skills, Entrepreneurship and Work place Experience.
The Director-General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, expressed satisfaction that corps members are making use of their talent to join in the fight against coronavirus.
Ibrahim noted that as the world battles the Coronavirus scourge, which unfortunately remains a big threat to human existence, corps members across the country have deployed their creative ingenuity towards its fight.
The NYSC boss said that the production of such materials was the demonstration of the gains of the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development initiative, as well as the Community Development Service programme of the scheme.
Mr Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, said that the federal government was paying more attention to promoting the use of local materials for production.
Keyamo called on Nigerians to support the youths to develop their talents.
According to him, if Nigerian youths are encourage and supported, the country may be able to export face masks and other items in the future.
Mr Jerry Mallo, the producer of the machine, explained that the youth who are 13 in number thought of how they could participate in the fight against coronavirus pandemic and they came up with the idea.
He said that they came up with the best way people can handle the hand washing soap and sanitizers without contacting the virus.
“The machine is produced in a way that one will use the leg to operate it without any contact with the items. You match your leg on the panel to get the soap and water after that pick the tissue and match again to get the sanitizer.
“This steps will ensure that one does not touch any of the items in order not to contract the virus,” Mallo said.
NAN reports that the representatives of the Minister of Science and Technology, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and some directors attended the event. (NAN)
Credit: NAN