Students of the Marist College, Yangoji Abaji have been gifted with the sum of five million naira by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation for inventing the Sensebox and Aquabot device,used for monitoring air and water pollution.
The presentation was made by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu in his office on Tuesday in Abuja.
A statement from the ministry indicates that the minister commended the feat achieved by the students staying Nigeria is well positioned to become a hub for creativity. He added that Nigeria will meet all her needs, rely less on import and create wealth for the nation once becoming a creativity hub.
On intellectual property protection, Onu said the Ministry will patent the key innovation through one of its agencies; The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP). He further said that the patenting will come at no cost to the school.
Dr. Onu appealed to parents to motivate their children, and make sure they inculcate values of hardwork, respect and commitment which is the foundation of every child.
He urged the students, to fly the Nigerian flag high at the upcoming virtual Students for Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) competition on the 13th of August 2021.
Earlier the President/CEO of the research team for Aquabot, Mabocha Sharon who is a SS3 student of Marist College said they are seeking the support of the Ministry to patent their innovation.
She also added that they need financial support to help develop their innovation, build science laboratory that could benefit other students.
