Creative Industry

Battle Against COVID-19 Taken A Notch Higher As Corp Member Invents T-Smart Device

Published

6 years ago

August 23, 2020

Joel Ajayi

In response to the challenge thrown to their creative ingenuity by the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, arising from COVID-19 pandemic, Corps Members have taken up the gauntlet, and continued to amaze Nigerians with so many inventions, tailored towards stemming the spread of the virus in the country.

In the past few months, some Corps Members across the length and breath of the country have come up with a number of inventions in response to the challenge thrown by the NYSC helmsman — thus, underscoring the centrality of the Scheme as catalyst for unity and national development.

Devices such as disinfection chambers, pedal-operated water, soap and sanitiser dispensers have been invented and donated to the Federal and State Governments, as well as some communities, as part of efforts by the National Youth Service Corps to battle COVID-19, which regrettably remains a formidable enemy that must be defeated.

Thousands of facemasks, liquid soaps and hand sanitisers have equally been produced and donated towards the cause.

However, it is heartwarming to note that Corps Member Taiwo Durodola serving in Nasarawa State has taken the fight against the virus a notch higher through the invention of T-Smart, a body-temperature reading device which undoubtedly will give a big boost to the current efforts to contain the virus in the country.

Interestingly, T-Smart does not require human intervention while in operation, and can be monitored remotely. It is highly sensitive and accurate, with a resolution of 0.02 degree Celsius, which makes it possible to detect the smallest change in human body temperature.

In-built alarm system is another wonderful feature of the device which has been produced from locally sourced raw materials.

NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim commended the inventor for his uncommon initiative.

“There is no gainsaying the fact that this invention, among other Corps Members’ inventions have the capacity of earning foreign exchange for the country, if patented and mass-produced” General Ibrahim added.

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Creative Industry

CAFA Targets $500bn Fashion Economy At Canex Wknd 2026

Published

1 week ago

November 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Confederation of African Fashion (CAFA) will present its roadmap to grow Africa’s fashion economy from an estimated $30 billion to $500 billion at CANEX WKND 2026 in Lagos.

Marking its first anniversary on November 5, CAFA will unveil a joint stand with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, formerly the National Arts Theatre, on November 5, 2026.

CAFA President, Aare (Prof.) Lai Labode, said the institution works with African governments to align sourcing, production, trade and intellectual property policies, ensuring African creativity generates greater value for African businesses and communities.

Nigeria became the first country to sign the African Fashion Industry Growth Charter on November 5, 2025, when the Honourable Minister Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa signed on behalf of the Federal Government.

Speaking ahead of the unveiling, Minister Musawa said: “Afroliganza seeks to build a structured, values-driven fashion economy rooted in African heritage, led by African institutions, and positioned for global impact.”

On employment potential, the minister emphasized that Investment in fashion will create millions of jobs, particularly for women and youth.

Registered in Rwanda, with an office in Kigali and a desk at the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, CAFA is also working with Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs towards African Union adoption of the Charter. Rwanda is progressing towards becoming its second participating country and the first in East Africa.

Its first year saw fifty nations gather at the Egbaliganza-Lisabi Festival in Abeokuta and a signed MoU with Türkiye’s ASRIAD.

CAFA’s programmes promote processing African raw materials into finished apparel locally. ‘Own What We Create’ addresses intellectual property protection, while the CAFA Certified Seal and CAFA Heritage Mark support standards and authenticity. African Global Fashion Houses are currently being established across international markets.

The African Global Fashion Games will debut in Nigeria in 2028, bringing designers together under national colours. Held every three years, the Games will alternate between African and international hosts, combining competition with investor meetings, deal signings and policy discussions. Its Instant Craft event gives competing nations identical materials and a fixed clock, placing skill at the centre of the contest.

CAFA is inviting creatives, fashion designers, artisans, diplomats, economists, investors and policymakers to its CANEX stand. Visitors can explore the roadmap, ask questions and identify opportunities to contribute through design, manufacturing, investment, research, trade and international partnerships. The stand will be open daily from November 5 to 8.

CAFA calls on the African Union to adopt the Charter, and governments to sign the Games Register and form national teams.

“Fashion has always told the world who Africa is. Now Africa will decide what fashion pays,” Aare Prof. Lai Labode said.

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