Why I invented IED, solid minerals detector – Kano teenager

In this interview with Weekend Trust, Khalifa Aminu, a 19-year-old Kano teenager, narrated how he invented a machine that is capable of detecting improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and solid minerals under the earth surface in just one second. He is also working on another one that could be used to counter banditry, plus other inventions […]

In this interview with Weekend Trust, Khalifa Aminu, a 19-year-old Kano teenager, narrated how he invented a machine that is capable of detecting improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and solid minerals under the earth surface in just one second. He is also working on another one that could be used to counter banditry, plus other inventions he hopes to bring out in the future.

 

Tell us about your family background. 

I was born at the Gobirawa Quarters of Dala Local Government Area of Kano State. I started inventing machines from my kindergarten age. I am popularly referred to as the inventor of blinds’ spectacles.

 

What are your educational qualifications so far?

I attended Abba Naliti Primary School and proceeded to Government Secondary School, Gwammaja I. I started senior secondary there but couldn’t complete it due to economic realities. Since then, I have been inventing a lot of things, including a radio transmitter.

At that time, the Kano State Government promised to pay my school fees so that I could complete secondary education. The Kano governor then even invited me and we spoke and he commended me for my creativity and made some promises to me, but they could not fulfill their promise as they were busy with tribunal cases. But later, a director in the Kano Government House registered me in one school along Airport Road in Kano, but I also couldn’t complete the programme due to daily expenses. I had to be assisted by another person to register for SSCE in another school to complete secondary education.

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At what age did you start these inventions?

I can’t actually specify the actual age at which I started these things; I just grew up seeing myself doing it.

People will be curious to know where you learnt these inventions, considering that you just completed secondary education.

To be honest, I started these things even before I started going to school. I commit most of my time researching new things. For anything I want to create, I usually dedicate a lot of my time to understanding how it is made until I can do it myself. I didn’t study anything in school; but now, I am trying to study it. Even when I invented glasses that could help blind people detect objects in front of them, I wasn’t studying anything in school, I only researched it myself.

 

 What do you use for the research?

Due to the current advancement in information technology, my research is mostly based in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and search engines like Google, YouTube and others.

 

Your name trended so much, especially on the social media when you invented the blind people’s glasses. Are they your first inventions?

No. Before them I had invented many things, such as a radio transmitter, machine for farmers, another one that measures temperature and the one that detects fire and smoke. And other small inventions like that. I started with them. It was after that that I invented something like the blind people’s glasses.

 

How do the glasses work?

It is eyeglasses that visually impaired people could put on their face. Its only difference from normal glasses is that it has some censors on it that help a blind person to detect objects in front of them by alerting them with some sounds until they stop. If the person doesn’t stop, the glasses will keep making the sound so that he or she will not go and hit the object.

 

Is there any other project you are currently working on?

There are many, but I will keep releasing them gradually. Even now, I have invented a machine that could detect improvised explosive device (IEDs) and solid minerals underground.

 

How does it work?

This is the first machine of its kind invented in Nigeria that people are talking about now. It is used to detect IEDs like bombs buried underground or solid minerals like gold, all in less than a second.

 

 What actually inspired you to invent this detecting machine?

My biggest inspiration is how we could help use technology to fight the insecurity bedeviling our country, especially presently, as well as the way solid mineral miners suffer in their business. The machine they can use to detect mining sites is usually imported; and it is very expensive, which makes it very difficult for them to buy. The average machine costs between N3 million and N5 million, but I can create an affordable one that can be used for the same purpose (detecting solid minerals) in just one second.

 

At what stage of completion is the project presently?

It has already been completed. I have even tasted it and it has given the desired result.

 

Apart from these, what more do you wish to invent in the future?

There are many of them, including radio transmitters and many other things that will help bring succour to peoples’ lives. My biggest motivation is to always invent things that will ease people’s lives. I am also researching and working on a technology that could help fight the insecurity we are battling with, especially banditry and kidnapping in such a way that it will be difficult for the terrorists to use devices to communicate among themselves or even abduct people without the way they currently do. Technology is one of the best tools to use to end insecurity.

 

How do you balance your time between these projects and domestic chores or errands?

I am lucky to have a supportive and understanding family; I was given time for my projects without interruptions, especially now that I am on this particular project. I was given a safe space that I used for my research and inventions. Sometimes I spend a whole night researching. You will always see me busy with a book and pen, opening that, closing this and cutting this and joining that.

 

So you have a place at home solely for your research?

Yes, but it is not in our house, someone donated an office to me that I use for all my activities, including keeping my equipment.

 

Do you have a team you work with or you work alone?

Since I started, I have been doing everything all alone. Even if I need counselling, I usually use the internet, especially search engines and AI; and they have been of great benefit to me.

 

Do you want to further your studies? And what course would you like to read?

Yes, of course. If I am able to go back to school, I want to read Mechatronic Engineering because it is directly related to what I am doing and what I am dreaming of doing later.

 

Do you have any challenge, whether at home or from the society?

Of course no undertaking could be devoid of challenges. My biggest challenge is obtaining the tools I need. If I have all the required tools I need, I will invent a lot. I hope to get the tools I need; and hopefully, my accomplishments will surpass this.

 

What about at home; don’t they see what you do as a waste of time?

I don’t have that challenge. In fact, on the contrary, they offer me all the support I need.

 

What achievements have you recorded so far?

To God be the glory, I have received awards and recognitions, especially from private companies; and I am proud of that. Even this week, I was in Abuja for mentorship and advice on ways to improve what I do and how I can mass-produce them for sale.

 

What message do you have for your fellow youths?

My best advice to fellow youths is that they should showcase their talents. They should not hide or neglect their talents.