18-year-old Khalifa Aminu from Sharada, located in Kano State’s Kumbotso local government area, isn’t just dreaming of a better future; he’s actively creating it with his innovative solutions.
Khalifa, a student at Jameel Chiroma College of Science and Technology, has designed a groundbreaking device set to transform the lives of visually impaired individuals.
Khalifa’s invention, a pair of glasses designed to help blind individuals detect obstacles ahead of them, stands as a testament to his ingenuity and dedication to improving the lives of others.
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During an exclusive interview with Daily News 24, Khalifa shared the inspiration behind his invention. “I wanted to create something that could make a real difference in people’s lives,” he said. “Seeing the struggles of visually impaired individuals motivated me to find a solution that goes beyond traditional walking sticks.”
Khalifa’s talents extend far beyond his groundbreaking glasses. He has also invented several other devices aimed at improving everyday life. Among his creations are a radio transmitter with an 87.5 MHz frequency, covering a 10 km range, a bomb detector, an automatic water spray, and much more.
Despite these impressive achievements, Khalifa faces significant challenges in scaling his inventions. “I haven’t started selling these devices because there aren’t enough materials to produce them in large quantities,” he explained.
Khalifa’s glasses have already been tested by a blind individual, who found them to be highly effective. “He was able to navigate and avoid obstacles, which he found very impressive,” Khalifa Aminu shared.
However, he acknowledges that there is room for improvement. “The glasses need to be wireless and use dark glass frames for better functionality,” he noted.
Like many young innovators, Khalifa has faced numerous obstacles in his journey. The lack of sufficient materials is a major hurdle, preventing him from bringing his many projects and ideas to fruition. “I have so many projects, but the lack of materials hinders my work,” he lamented.
Additionally, Khalifa has received limited support from government agencies, with the notable exception of a certain foundation, which provided some materials to aid his work.
Despite these challenges, Khalifa remains hopeful and determined. He dreams of creating more technological devices that can make life easier, such as drones for farm irrigation and fingerprint or ID card sensors for doors.
He also envisions establishing a factory dedicated to producing these innovative devices and teaching others how to create them. โMy dream is to have a large factory with staff working under me, collaborating to advance our knowledge and create technological devices for local use and export,โ he said
Khalifa Aminu calls on the government and other stakeholders to support young innovators like himself. “I urge the government to aid me in reaching my full potential,” he implored.
He also advises his peers to stay focused and strive to create solutions that benefit the community. โYoung innovators should use their knowledge to create something, even without waiting for government support. This can eventually lead to establishing a company that benefits the community,โ he advised.