The 400 Level student of Microbiology at the Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, is currently being applauded for inventing what he calls Ecogenic Multipurpose Solutions (eco-E product), an invention from a special recycling of fruits and kitchen wastes.
According to the young scientist, who is already, deservedly, a Nigerian Heritage Icons Ambassador of Youth, the ‘eco-E product’ is a multipurpose cleaner that has the ability of serving as pesticide, insecticide, detergent, fertilizer, water purifier, skin care agent, dishwasher, air freshener and purifier – and can be used as car, sink and toilet washer at different dilutions.
David is also a recipient of the Students Innovations Challenge 2018 (South-West Regional Judges’ Choice Award). The award was sponsored by Bank of Industry (BOI) and other government agencies and the Civic Foundation for Innovation.
But what inspired his landmark invention?
He explained: “Organic domestic wastes are produced wherever human habitation exists. They include household food waste, agricultural waste, human and animal waste.
“It’s been observed, over time, that the accumulation of these organic domestic wastes produced in both developing and developed countries have become increasingly and dramatically critical.
“According to Agronigeria.com, Nigeria’s food & fruit waste has hit $750 billion yearly, meaning that 80 per cent of foods/fruits in Nigeria are wasted causing tons and tons of household wastes. And for every ton of food/fruit waste generated, 1.9t CO2 eq/t is emitted.
“Household wastes that are composed usually of food, fruits and vegetable products are usually considered to be the most hazardous form of organic waste; and it is unfortunate that so much of this waste ends up going into landfill sites causing these waste components of landfill to be degraded by the actions of cellular and cellular microbial entities, thereby forming a liquid ‘leachate’ which contains bacteria, rotting matter and possibly chemical contaminants from the landfill.”
This leachate, according to him, could be hazardous to one’s health, adding that “it poses dangerous health-deteriorating conditions in individuals and worse pollution situations if it reaches the water course or enters the water table.
“Digesting organic matter in landfills also generates methane, which is a harmful greenhouse gas, in large quantity.”
Well, so much for technicalities. Mr Adeyemi told Saturday Tribune that after these findings, he saw the need to convert the wastes into products that would not only benefit the people but also the environment.
He felt the need to produce eco-friendly products that would be three times more effective, safer and natural than all chemically-induced domestic, agricultural or industrial products in the market.
At specified dilutions, a bottle of the product, according to him, has the ability of serving as pesticide, herbicide, insect repellent, liquid fertilizer, air freshener & purifier, sewage/water purifier and disinfectant.
“Mixing it with a product you react to, like shampoos and body wash, would reduce the rate at which you react to those products by 60 per cent.
“This also plays an important role in reducing the rate of overheating in cars after which a specified quantity is dispensed into the water tank,” he claims.
After production processes, he said the ancillary products can be dried and converted into organic exfoliating agents, pot scrubs and powdered fertilizers.
“I work with local fruit and vegetable vendors around my vicinity; and together, we have been able to utilise over 420 kilogrammes of fruit waste in barely three months.
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“This innovation has opened doors to other discoveries such as an eco-friendly method of degrading plastic bottles in six months and “an eco-friendly toilet fizzer which could reduce the rate of toilet infections among women when used by up to 75 per cent.”
David, fondly called ‘Innovative David’ among friends and colleagues says he is excited to be able to contribute his quota to the development of Nigeria with this innovation.
“I am a strong believer and advocate of greatness of the Nigerian youths. We are hardworking and creative. We can rub shoulders with our contemporaries all over the world,” he enthused.
He plans to make his eco-E Product a household brand, provided investors buy in and invest in the dream.
“I encourage sponsors to come in and partner with me in developing the eco-E product to go public. I hope to kick off production as soon as the necessary actions and registrations have been conducted.
“This will go along way in promoting sustainable and healthy living in the society by eliminating the dependence and usage of toxic and chemically based products for all forms of consumption and also promoting healthy living, curbing of food wastage and supporting a conducive garbage-free environment by converting the deadliest form of waste known as organic wastes (food, fruit and vegetable) into non-toxic, ecofriendly, and 100 per cent safe products for man and his environment.”
Mr Adeyemi’s eco-E Product was recently showcased at a Science Fair held at the Ajayi Crowther University and witnessed by several dignitaries who all agreed that, indeed, the product was a laudable innovation.
and then