5 Amazing Inventions by African Kids

by Elijah Oluwagbemiga

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African countries have been tagged ‘third world nations’ due to underperforming conditions in various fields of life. Although the term does not apply to Africa alone, it is also used to describe other developing countries on other continents such as in Asia, Latin America, and Australia. The term might be derogatory, but certain individuals from these parts of the world have chosen to rise above such mentality. They have proven that where you find yourself doesn’t necessarily define you. In this article, we will look at 5 amazing inventions by African kids.

Table of Contents

• 5 Amazing Inventions by African Kids
  • 1. Hydraulics-powered toys by Odo Gerald
  • A Radio Station by a 15-year-old Kelvin Doe
  • The Blue Wind Fan by Michael Ukoma
  • Wind Turbine Invented by William Kamkwamba
  • A Generator Powered by Urine
  • Final Thoughts on Amazing Inventions by African Kids

5 Amazing Inventions by African Kids

1. Hydraulics-powered toys by Odo Gerald

 

Gerald Odo is a young Nigerian and his invention ‘Hydraulics-powered toys’ is among  the amazing inventions by African kids. Since age 15, he started experimenting with hydraulics technology which involves the application of science, using the combination of engineering, chemistry and physics that involves the mechanical properties and use of liquids to ensure movement. Among the toys he has made which are all powered by hydraulics are: a helicopter, an excavator and a dump truck.

During an exhibition at Maker Faire Africa, Gerald displayed his invention which was made out of plywood, tubes, syringes, water and motorcycle batteries that powered them.

A Radio Station by a 15-year-old Kelvin Doe

Kelvin Doe comes second on our list of 5 amazing inventions by African kids. Before he invented a radio station at age 15, the Sierra Leonean, at the age of 13, made significant contributions to his community. An outstanding contribution was the electric generators he invented from metallic scraps and other electrical spare parts.

Kelvin’s goal to become the youngest visiting practitioner at the age of 16 in MIT prompted him to invent a radio station when he was just 15 years old. He broadcasted news and also dished out music to entertain his community like a typical dj with the allies DJ Focus.

The Blue Wind Fan by Michael Ukoma

Michael Ukoma is a young Nigerian who was uncomfortable with the unusual heat that plagued his community. It is a well known fact that electricity is unstable in Nigeria. The young Michael took it upon himself to invent a fan that is powered by batteries in 2016. He named his invention the Blue wind fan which he made out of cartons and aluminum wires. When the battery is fully charged, the fan can last up to 19 hours.

Wind Turbine Invented by William Kamkwamba

This invention by a young African named William Kamkwambe from Malawi got a lot of attention which later inspired a biopic that got him the allias- the boy who harnessed the wind. His intention was to power various electrical appliances in his family house in Wimbe. To the amazement of all, he made the Wind Turbine out of blue gum trees, bicycle parts and other scraps he gathered from a local junk yard.

A Generator Powered by Urine

The urine-powered generator was invented by 4 young African girls: Bello Eniola, Duro-Aina Adebola, Faleke Oluwatoyin and Akindele Abiola all from Nigeria. This amazing invention is said to supply up to 6 hours electricity from a litre of urine. This genius invention caters to the problem of waste management which is converted to an alternative means of providing energy.

Final Thoughts on Amazing Inventions by African Kids

Africa is blessed with amazing kids whose eyes readily detect problems and whose minds think solutions which are created from unfathomable waste materials at their disposal. But it is unfortunate that such talents are not always appreciated at home but are rather welcome abroad provided the news make headlines.

25 Motivational Quotes of Adedeji Adeleke

 Adedeji Adeleke wasn’t a name that rings bell prior to the rise to stardom of his son, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido in 2009. Unlike popular billionaires like Aliko Dangote, Adedeji Adeleke remained a mysterious billionaire who much people knew little or nothing about. It is safe to say that his son’s emergence into the Nigerian music industry was instrumental to the recognition he has gotten today.

Adedeji Adeleke was born on the 6th of March, 1957 in Enugu state, Nigeria. Adeleke has an impressive educational background. He attended Columbia Pacific University from 1981-1983, Western Kentucky University from 1979-1981 and same Western Kentucky from 1976-1979. He is the Pro Chancellor of Adeleke University in Osun State, Nigeria and the CEO of Pacific Holdings Limited. Like most great and prominent men have quotes, in this piece, we share Top 25 Quotes of Adedeji Adeleke.

25 Motivational Quotes of Adedeji Adeleke

1. I never believe I can make it until making it makes me believe.
2. Failure is the only course in life that teaches how to be successful.
3. Make enough mistakes and you can only get better through them.
4. Ladies tend to criticize you based on what they love most about you.
5. If you think nobody cares, think deeply and you will find that some people really care.
6. Intellectuals don’t diss UITES.
7. If you are living for the moment, it shows you have no plan for the future.
8. The fear of competition is the beginning of I can’t make it.
9. Would rather die as a student searching for knowledge than a lecturer of ignorance.
10. My dream for you is to help me make it a reality.
11. You won’t be praised or applauded for your efforts, but your excellence. So work hard.
12. Make peace not war.
13. Make love not hate.
14. Make right not wrong.
15. Through the hate, the world will be devoid of the Love.
16. Through the combination of your orator and good communication skills, you can influence the whole world.
17. Tertiary education is not a guarantee for success and its lack is not a warranty for failure.
18. Do not allow erection to show your direction. Choose wisely.
19. Sarcasm is okay by me, as long as ignoring you will suffice you.
20. We rise by lifting others
21. Make friends, not foes.
22. If you think your mother is not worthy of being celebrated, think of murderers.
23. If you want love, spread love.
24. I told the governor elect (my brother) and his colleagues that they are lucky because they do not have any godfather to refund any money to, so whatever people contributed for the election is contribution and it’s a sacrifice for a better Nigeria, for a better State, so the governor-elect and his colleagues are not under any pressure, the only thing they need to do out there is to go and serve the people.
25. Live an accountable life in order to hold leaders accountable for their acts in public offices.

Top 5 African Countries with the Best Health Care Systems

 Ranking African countries with the best health care systems is largely dependent upon a health care index formulated from various data collated by the collaborative efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other independent watchdogs in the health sector like the Global Health Observatory (GHO).

Health tourism is a common practice embarked upon by citizens of various countries on the African continent. This reality is inspired by an unequalled sophistication of health care systems abroad. ‘Health is Wealth’ is one quote rich Africans do not toy with. They would rather fly abroad for medical treatments and check-ups irrespective of the cost. This has posed as a great challenge to concerned governments of the African States. In this article, a list of top 5 African countries with the best health care systems are provided. They should be viewed as selected based on the time of writing.

Table of Contents

• Here are the Top 5 African Countries with the Best Health Care Systems
  • South Africa
  • Kenya
  • Tunisia
  • Algeria
  • Nigeria
  • Final Thoughts

Here are the Top 5 African Countries with the Best Health Care Systems

1. South Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) has scored South Africa with the highest health care index of 63.7 according to numbeo at the time of writing his article. This high index was achieved as a result of data collected from both the public and private health sector in the country. Research reveals that the public sector caters for about 71% of the entire population while the private sector is committed to about 27% of the population. This suggests that roughly 98% of the South African population is provided with adequate health care.

2. Kenya

Kenya comes second on the list with a score of 61.8 health care index. The East African country does not only lead its counterparts from same Eastern region, but lands the second position on the entire continent. This big feat was achieved by adopting measures that promote health to the grassroots of the country. It ensures that primary medicare is enjoyed by the least member of its society. No wonder why it took Tunisia’s prior position.

3. Tunisia

Tunisia ranks 3rd with a health care index of 57.1 percent. The global Health index in 2020 revealed Tunisia as the second on the list of African countries with the best health care systems. Today, Tunisia ranks 3rd. Research suggests that Tunisia health care system is fully funded with tax payers money.

4. Algeria

Algeria appears at the fourth position with a health care index of 53.6 percent. Algeria health care system is impressive in that the government ensures that every citizen has access to free health care.

5. Nigeria

Finally, Nigeria made it to the top 5 list of African countries with the best health care systems with a health care index of 48.5 percent.

Final Thoughts

The above list of top 5 African Countries with the best health care systems might sound impressive particularly to Nigerians for securing the 5th place, when the Top 5 of the World’s best health care systems is considered, an understanding of why the rich in Africa still prefers to embark on health tourisms is gained.

Top Oldest Presidents in Africa Gerontocracy vs Democracy: A Look at the Top 10 Oldest Presidents in Africa

 In this article, we take a closer look at the top 10 oldest presidents in Africa and explore the implications of gerontocracy on the continent.

The term gerontocracy refers to a system of government where the leaders are significantly older than the general population. In such a system, the elderly hold a disproportionate amount of power and influence, often to the detriment of the younger generations. The concept of gerontocracy has gained increased attention in recent years, particularly in the context of Africa, where many countries have aging leaders who have been in power for decades.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, gerontocracy is defined as “a state, society, or group governed by old people.” This definition perfectly describes the political landscape in many African countries, where a handful of elderly leaders have held on to power for decades, despite calls for democratic reforms.

Top 10 Oldest Presidents in Africa

1. President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea is the longest serving president in Africa and has made the number one spot on the list of oldest president in Africa, at 80 years old.

2. President Paul Biya of Cameroon, who has been in power since 1982, is 90 years old. Second longest ruling president in Africa.

3. President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria, who was forced to resign in 2019 after widespread protests, was 82 years old at the time. He died in 2021 at age 84.

4. President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea, who has been in power since 1993, is 77 years old.

5. President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of the Congo, who has been in power for over 35 years, is 78 years old. He was reelected in 2021 garnering about 88.4% of votes and defeating all six challengers.

6. President Alpha Condé of Guinea, who was overthrown in a military coup in 2021, was 83 years old at the time.

7. Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, who was a former military head of state from 31 December, 1983 to 27 August, 1985. He later became a civilian president in 2015 after contesting and losing 3 times in 2003, 2007 and 2011. He was born on 17 December, 1942.

8. President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, who has been in power since 1986, is 78 years old.

9. President Hage Geingob of Namibia, who has been in power since 2015, is 81years old.

10. President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, who took over from Robert Mugabe in 2017, is 80 years old.

The presence of so many elderly leaders in Africa raises concerns about the impact of gerontocracy on the continent’s political and economic future. Many of these leaders have been accused of corruption, human rights abuses, and stifling democratic progress in their countries.

At the same time, there are also examples of successful democratic transitions in Africa, such as the 2019 peaceful transfer of power in Malawi and the ongoing political reforms in Ethiopia.

In conclusion, while gerontocracy may be prevalent in Africa, it is not the only path for the continent’s political future. With a growing population of young, educated Africans demanding change, there is hope for a more democratic and prosperous future.

About Elijah Oluwagbemiga

 Elijah Oluwagbemiga holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Covenant University. He sees himself as a Polymath with experience in fields like Oil and Gas, Aquaculture, Finance and Politics. Recently, he has devoted much time to Cryptocurrency and also welcomes the challenge of writing about any topic to which he believes he would always do justice based on his research capabilities.