Electronic refuse dumps in the Nairobi, the capital of Kenya was a stepping stone for Cyrus Kabiru as he gave dumped materials new life.
His creative pathways embody soul playfulness and inspire the Nairobi youth and creatives alike.
C. Kabiru
He steps in various aspects of art, between sculpture, performance, and fashion.
His gallery has sculptures, glasses and humorous canvassed painting portrayals of contemporary life in Kenya. Bottle caps are sewn together depicting African nature.
Artwork beyond the regular , his life journey is embodied in the prosthetic knowledge gallery.
His obsession with eyewear all started when his father refused to get him ordinary spectacles, so he created his own special twist in eyewear. He turns spectacles into various forms that enter a new realm of creativity into the beyond
My spectacles draw curiosity and attention . It therapeutical in a sense!
#CreatepreneurAfrica Spectacular Inventor Cyrus Kabiru
Tell us what drives you? What is your true passion in life?
My passion….. My passion is my creation. My passion is my art.
How did you find your passion and how old were you?
A young age, I forget how young I was. I just know my dad inspired me. He did not like the ordinary in anything! even refused to get me glasses I desired, so I created them!
What about your passion appeals to you the most?
Art defines me. If there was no art there would me know me.I would feel like I live a soulless life.
What drove you to make money from your passions?
What drove me? It kind of came naturally. People started to buy my art. They started requesting my art and wanting to pay for it.
When was the first time you were paid for your passion?
In 2005. My uncle bought from me for $9.
After that, he felt guilty for paying such a low amount and always dashed off when he saw me!
What kept you going when you thought about giving up?
I used to give up on a lot of other things in life. Not my art. My work. It’s about treating it as a calling and one can never actually give up what is a natural calling. A life purpose
What motivates you every day to be even more successful?
Every day, Every morning when I wake up, I fell like I must achieve something. I want to raise my art to new heights. I want to soar my art internationally. More so.I do believe it is already there.
What do you have to say to all of the people who doubted you?
Doubt me if you need to…..thats your choice ……but not my work. It has been a long journey for me to reach where I am
What advice do you give to aspiring creative is who look up to you?
Just believe in what you are doing, be the best and if you want to move be your unique self. Be what you want to be
Ukachukwu Okechukwu has a passion for fashion. His ultimate desire is in creating designs for the ultimate image.
New styles erupt on the Nigerian fashion market each year. The trends are never disappointing whether you are a fashion geek or looking for inspiration.
Africans are identifiable in native wear. Today there are changing trends in society yet Ukachukwu boasts proudly preserving culture in unique print styles.
s style kingdom is set up to showcase Africa’s style on an international level, he has established Dee Ok’s wear. Follow the latest fashion trends and combining them native motives is Dee Dee Ok’s wear fashion flair.
Young people in Nigeria need to rise again. Fashion is a tool of social change, it defines who we are and who we can be!
Welcome to Ukachukwu gallery of designs
Meet #CreatePreneurAfrica Ukachukwu Okechukwu
Tell us what drives you? What is your true passion in life?
I have a zeal for fashion and designing of clothes and to engage in the wise and prudent work of sewing of clothes with different styles, which has a universal relevance in our world today.
How did you find your passion and how old were you?
I got the passion when I was watching various programs that have to do with cultural wears and modern, and it has been the childhood desire when I was at the age of 10years
“”The time has arrived for Africa to take on World Stage!”
KihakaGND
His is onboard a team and will feature a lead character in “Shujaa, Kiroho Mtoto”- A feature film in development set tp make the mark of the millineum!
Lupyana S Kihaka's acting career initiated when he was cast in a stage play, his very first acting role.
This was a calling to take center stage in his country Tanzania, the beginning of creation.
He recently joined Waka Agency, the first pan African talent agency founded by #CreatePreneurAfrica , Rosie Motene from South Africa.
Meet #CreatepreneaurAfrica Kihaka GND
Lupyana S Kihaka. kihakagnd@gmail.com Facebook: Kihaka GND. Instagram: Kihaka
Tell us what drives you? What is your true passion in life?
I love being a Tanzanian Actor. My passion is about creating a global network in the era of Africa uprising. My ultimate mission is to connect with professional filmmakers, actors, performers, and creatives on film platforms worldwide.
How did you find your passion and how old were you?
I was 18 years in Secondary Boarding School. Cast for a role in a stage play as an actor.
What about your passion appeals to you the most?
The fact that even though there are daily battles and struggles daily, life goes on. I believe my acting career is my pathway to body mind and soul success. My purpose in this lifetime!
What drove you to make money from your passions?
Ultimately, time is a precious commodity, and you have to embrace every moment in this lifetime and not waste away hours making a living, doing something for money to fill your fridge. Why?
And you yourself barely get time to appreciate what you gathered. So getting paid to do something you love is far off from forced labor at the hands of masters. We are past that era
When was the first time you were paid for your passion?
It was 2011 when I got a role in a stage Play as Chief Makembo (a disable Chief) I was paid and awarded for a good performance… memories…..memories Haaaahaaa
What kept you going when you thought about giving up?
I never thought about giving up. Even though film industry got challenges, I will do my level best to show up a God-given talent
What motivates you every day to be even more successful?
I have connected with professional filmmakers worldwide and I am still connecting. Haaahaaa
What do you have to say to all of the people who doubted you?
Do not waste precious time, doubting undoubtedly.
Stay alert Lupyana S Kihaka is an upcoming international Actor!
What advice do you give to aspiring creatives who look up to you?
The film Industry has many challenges all over the world It needs discipline and commitment. Be strong, Be You.
His creative soul rose above daily calamities before him and several roles came roaring his way in succession.
2012: "SunShine", a film produced by Swahiliwood, in a Role Of GND.
2013-2014, International series (Siri Ya Mtungi) Season.
Produced by Swahiliwood.
Written by Andrew Whalley (From Isidingo SA).
Directed by Ron Garcia (from Hollywood USA)
2015 Dangerous SecreProduced by Cyber - Blitz, Lusaka, Zambia
2016 ‘Kiumeni Film
Featuring Ernest Napoleon & Idris Sultan (a BBA Maid 2014 Winner)
2017 'Chafu Tatu' produced by Bongo Hoods
He is inspired by all creatives from the motherland Africa.
“We are more than performers. We bring the real Africa to the world”
Never at a loss for words, renowned South African poet Mak Manaka tunes into soul rhyme in his rooted "arts for transformation" soul calling. Mak Manaka brings out the word,to the people....to the nation!
His full name , Maakomele, means to represent in Pedi, and so he does! The motivating “warrior of inspiration” voices out his poetically engaging word.
His late father was a poet, playwright as well as a painter. His mother an actress dancer and choreographer. He was born into a realm of ‘Art for social transformation.’
He has proudly represented South Africa in Jamaica, Spain, and Cuba, and performed for the prolific Nelson Mandela as well!
Moving around on crutches due to a historic misfortune does not dampen his spirit as he ”words on”……..
Meet CreatePreneurAfrica- Mak Manaka
Tell us what drives you?
It’s the knowledge that I’m alive and doing what makes me alive.
What is your true passion in life?
My true passion is the battle in articulating the conditions of truth. So the search for my true self is, in essence, my true passion.
How did you find your passion and how old were you?
Well, passion found me in my mother’s womb and ever since I’ve been trying to understand why this passion. Coming from a family of artists, my late father is a playwright, painter and poet, and my mother a dancer-choreographer and an actress. So from an early age passion has been life to me.
What about your passion appeals to you the most?
I’m yet to receive an answer from passion itself. One thing I know about passion is that it pays no bills but it does make rainy days seem like summer skies. I guess it’s the self-fulfillment of self-worth that appeals to me the most.
What drove you to make money from your passions?
Like I said, passion pays no bills. Self-determination pays the bills, not my passion. I think it’s important for us to unpack the meaning and function of the word passion to ourselves. How do you understand your passion and is it passion or self-determination that makes earns you a living within the construct of capitalism?
When was the first time you were paid for your passion?
To be honest with you, I’m still waiting for the day I get paid for my passion and I doubt that day will come coz my passion is nor for sale. On the other hand, I was about 21 when I got my first paycheck for a performance, poetry articulates condition, then it is my honor and privilege to have such a gift and be paid to share it.
What kept you going when you thought about giving up?
It is the thought itself that keeps me going. We don’t give up or give in at any point coz we are suns, who wear heat in our hearts. Giving up is not an option but to give and share the heat with others is our main purpose as Africans.
What motivates you every day to be even more successful?
The love for loving life…
What do you have to say to all of the people who doubted you?
Don’t doubt your self, rather support your self and buy my books.
What advice do you give to aspiring creative is who look up to you?
“Look not to the stars but to your self” coz “to thine self, be true”-Shakespeare said both those quotes a long time ago and before I can tell anyone anything I have to tell my self. So before you leave the house, look at yourself and smile and be in love with the mirror. In the mirror is the sun inside looking back at you, so look to self to be selfless.
Egyptian filmmaker Jihan El Tahri,rich in roots of diversity and a wealth of world experience,takes us on her soul rhythm journey, a mission to ignite the spirit of the Motherland Africa.
Tuning into insight and wisdom, she captures the heart of African roots beyond maintream media definitions and prescriptions related to what Africa was and wasn't, or what it is and should be.
Starting her career as a journalist, Africa’s legendary filmmaker, Jihan El Tahri. initially worked as a television researcher and news correspondent, covering the politics in the Middle East. This is when she realized the new dawn was on the power of the visual medium.
She then launched into independent filmmaking, producing and directing documentaries for French Tv, PBS, BBC and a range of other broadcasters internationally.
She has directed over a dozen films including award-winning:
The award-winning,”Behind the Rainbow” explores transition in South Africa.
It chronicles the liberation project of the African National Congress and compromises that eventually led to the historic 1994 elections, the eventual erosion of promises and dreams, raising questions about the present era.
She is also an avid visual artist with several exhibitions scheduled throughout the year.
Africa cinema is her passion, telling stories from Africa, for the people by the people.
Filmmaking comes with pain, heartaches and minimal returns…. but when a film is complete it allows a person to voice, to exist, and to be heard, and that makes it worth it when your film continues to make sense, even years later.
Meet # CreatepreneurAfrica: Let’s hear it from the legendary filmmaker Jihan El Thari
1. Tell us what drives you? What is your true passion in life?
To your first question, what drives you and what your true passion is in life?…..
It’s hard to say what my true passion is….because I guess they all intertwined but talking about film and documentary…
I think what really drives me is a real desire to understand and know and chronicle what happened in the whole post-independence periods. Why is it the promises and the vision of that moment of independence that was going to give the people of the continent and the colonized people everywhere….the quality freedom and dignity?Why did not happen, why is that we still there today, I guess that’s the driving question,
but passion if it’s just about what I really am passionate about
I’m passionate about music
I’m passionate about film
I’m passionate about art
So yeah…..I dabble in all three.
2. How did you find your passion and how old were you?
I guess my passion meaning documentary, well like in 1990, so I must have been…..I guess I was ..26 at that time… 1990.
It was during the Gulf war, as a journalist I was covering the Gulf war, and I immediately realized that the game had been overtaken by TVs and no matter how much we wrote, no matter how much we researched, one image was more powerful than anything one did.
But that was just about the image, the way of making films, I think it was a big revelation for me when I saw this film called “Death of Yugoslavia”, it was educational, it was interesting, it was funny and most of all it finally made sense of what was happening in Yugoslavia.
The war had been on for a few years and the more it went on the more one realized well I don’t understand anything, so you just left it behind, zapped it …
Suddenly then there was this documentary, that put it together in a way where I could actually understand, and then you started making sense, and I could take a position. I could think for myself that was the key, thinking for myself.
I guess that’s when I really started making the kind of films that I make because I never give conclusions. Its really about trying to chronicle how things happen and how we got there, and once you understand that, from there a person can decide for themselves, where they stand in that particular event.
3. What about your passion appeals to you the most?
What is it that appeals to me most… RESEARCH. I think I’m really passionate about research mainly because what I really want to do is try and look at stories from a different perspective, because we’ve been told our stories the whole time through Western eyes, through Western stories.
And when I approach a topic what I really try to do most is see it from our own perspective from a southern perspective from the perspective of the people who actually lived it, rather than the colonial masters or the cold war protagonists.
So I try and get to that prism of the story, and so the research cannot just rely on the books and newspapers and the documents because they all written from a Western perspective , so one really has to get down to declassifying document,s get down to finding first-hand eyewitnesses finding stuff that was written in different languages.
I mean, I’m lucky because I can speak four or five languages, I can actually read in these languages what was written by the people themselves, whereas it’s not the case if you only speak English or French you only get that one perspective.
Yes, so that’s what appeals to me the most. And I also love putting together the film at the end…at the end of the day the film is made in the editing, you have a narrative you know where you going, but because of time constraints and how it’s going to broadcast.
The film itself is made in the editing and it’s not my favorite part when I have to cut things down, but that first moment of the editing when I lay down the whole story as it was told to me is quite a big moment for me.
4. What drove you to make money from your passions?
I’ll actually answer 4 and 5 together, what drove you to make money from your passion well I don’t actually make money from my passion unfortunately for me.
I guess I could make money if I did it more superficially, but it does take me four to five years to make a film, and because of that most of the time I don’t get paid anything reasonable even.
Just for an anecdote: When I finished “Behind the rainbow”, my accountant as we finalized the account, and as I was walking out, he stopped he said, you do realize that the cleaning lady earned more than you did on this film?”
And it’s because she obviously got paievery timeme she worked. I had a lumpsum, which is fine in one year but when stretching over four years, you barely make ends meet …which accounts for me doing other things on the side like teaching and so forth,, so that’s question 4…
5.When was the first time you were paid for your passion?
When was the first time I was paid for my passion? I’m going to stick to the documentary but I could also say photography, my very first job.
When I was 19 was as a photographer and I remember clearly, I was working for Reuters, and my first salary paid for taking pictures that I thought was the most amusing thing as I would have paid to go take these pictures, but now I was being paid to do that.That was when I first started working as a photographer at Reuters, that must have been in 1984 or something.
In documentary when I started documentary, I was already a professional in the sector, so obviously I got paid, meaning I had budgets in which I got paid if there was any leftover!
6. What kept you going when you thought about giving up?
I thought about giving up many times, especially in the middle of the film when things go completely out of sync.
“Behind the rainbow” was a good example, when for six months, absolutely everyone I had interviewed for research and was a 1oo percent onboard of the film suddenly when I came back with a camera, nobody wanted to talk.
It took about six months for me to get the first interview and my cameraman whose German had come to South Africa for the shoot and instead of 26 or 27 days he was paid for the shoot he stayed for six months. That was a very depressing moment.
And my co-producer, Steven Markovitch from Big world cinema, you know, as a producer, he realised that we couldn’t go on like this and everyone wanted to shut down the project but I’d went too far, I spent already three years, and there was no way I wasn’t going to make that film, especially because I thought it was an important film.
So the short answer to what motivates me to keep going when I think should give up, is because I don’t just make films , I really grapple with topics that I think are important for me and people like me, people who believe in Africa, people who want a better future, so I guess that’s what keeps me going.
7. What motivates you every day to be even more successful?
What motivates me every day to be even more successful?
I don’t actually think of myself as successful. I just feel I’m lucky to do what I do. and I put my whole heart in it. I’m not sure what successful means because depending on the criteria I m actually not successful at all.
I don’t earn enough money to keep me going’, so I’m lucky that I have multiple things that I do because it keeps me floating but I engage with what I believe in and what I love and do it to the fullest.
For the past year, for example I’ve been doing visual arts. I started about five years ago, but over the past year I’ve basically only been doing exhibitions and visual art projects, and I’ve done at least four exhibitions that year and I have four or five to come this year, and I love each and everyone, they’re different topics.
And I guess it’s being able to use different formats in order to deal with all the questions you have personally and try to find a way to express them.
So as much as my documentaries are extremely talkative, my visual arts work or my contemporary arts work there isn’t a single words its just visual, I think having an alternative format to grapple with more or less same issues is wonderful, so I put my whole heart into it and try to do it as best as I can
8.What do you have to say to all of the people who doubted you?
The people who doubted me…… well I guess there’s people who still doubt me. People will always doubt others, but what will I tell them?……. I’ll tell them good luck, go find your own passion and go do something beautiful and that you believe in.
I don’t really pay attention to people who doubt me or don’t doubt me because I don’t particular…I guess…care..
I don’t care. what I’m seen as, as long as I’m doing what I think is the right thing and as long as I don’t overstep boundaries, not politically speaking of course, but overstep boundaries like don’t forecast in terms of cultural and other things.
I most of the time work with stories that I believe in and care about but I’m not part of the community I’m talking about, like for example my film about Zambia or my film about South Africa.
I lived there I cared about it but I’m a not Zambian and I’m not South African, so I do care about not overstepping cultural borders, that in order for my work to remain relevant, in order for the people from that place identify with it too. but obviously you never win everybody and if you do win everybody over….then you’ve done something wrong, as there is always one side of the story that wants negate the other,
9.What advice do you give to aspiring creative is who look up to you?
I must say I get very touched and almost embarrassed now that my age is advancing, young people come up to me and tell me that you know that look up to me or that I inspire them, it’s very touching because I guess one never thinks that work one does will resound on a much larger scale
What do I have as advice….. I basically will repeat what I have said over and over hold on to the stories you care about and go out and find out about them,
Don’t let people tell you what they about, go find your own angle go expose find discover engage with what matters to you, and I think even when people tell you oh you not the right person to do so,,oh you this oh you not allowed that, forget about all this something that you feel matters to you.
Go out and get it, and give it time and give it love, AND I UNDERLINE, GIVE IT TIME…because in our day and age its much more time than money makes a difference.
Money is obviously important but money is the way lots of people sell there soul, so if you care about something go find money in a different sector, but with your passion, give it TIME, give it LOVE.
And if it doesn’t give you enough money, don’t sell your soul for money, get the money somewhere else we all have multiple skills, so find that skill, I’ve translated, I worked as a driver …..I’ve done everything under the sun when I needed money, there’s no shame in working, so follow your passion.
Rosie Motene, actor, radio and tv presenter has taken Africa to the world stage.
No jokes.... the accredited international laughter coach, has excelled the media world as a speaker, global emcee and author of note.
And she has summited Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa more than once! Rosie joined the Africa Unite Campaign to stop violence against women and girls in Africa. She summited Kilimanjaro in 2014 to raise awareness for the Tomorrow Trust
“We all have our own journeys and its important to create that but also at your own pace””
She runs a podcast series, Pan African Connect, engaging with
topics in line with her three passions in
life….. Women, Africa, and the arts.
Another achievement reaching heights is when she founded the first Pan African talent agency, Waka talent agency, representing the multitude of talent from the motherland of Africa, from television presenters, brand ambassadors, digital influencers emcees, and speakers.
Rosie Motene
Top 5 best dressed
women in South Africa.
N a l e d i T h e a t r e
Awards
Rosie Motene
Award for
role in The Vagina Monologues.
L e g e n d s A w a r d s Ceremony:
R o s i e Motene
L i f e – t i m e
Achievement Award.
The TAVA:
WAF 2013:
Best producer award and Best African film for
“ Man on Ground” featuring Hakkem Kae Kazim
Women’s advancement forum
Rosie Motene:
Award for her efforts
in fighting against women abuse at the
HOTEL RWANDA
Big screen debut ,
for the Oscar-nominated film,Hotel Rwanda,
THE OTHER WOMAN
Rosie played the lead in The Heartlands
film, directed by Cindy Lee and lensed
by Lance Gewer who lensed Tsotsi.
NOTHING BUT THE
TRUTH:
Lead actor alongside
Jon Kani in the filmic adaptation of his
theatrical piece.
GENERATIONS: South African Broadcasting Corporation ( SABC1)
BUBOM SANNA: A drama series themed on aspiring models
TV TOWN: A television drama for children
STRAY BULLET:
MNET New directions
Patrick Shai film
ZABALAZA: Mzansi magic
show.
Broadcasting Venture
NTV & Spark TV Uganda
Head of productions, programming and acquisitions.
Meet CreatepreneurAfrica- Rosie Motene- Shining Light on Africa
Tell us what drives you? What is your true passion in life?
Women, Africa, and the arts.
I love being a woman and I am incredibly proud of who I have become. As I
have moved into my 40’s I’ am loving and cherishing the inner strength and
power that I have.
I simply love our continent from his challenges, hidden treasure and power
that it holds.
How did you find your passion and how old were you?
I was a dancer as a child and completed my exams all the way to teachers
level.
After school, I was accepted into the BA dramatic arts and it was at the end of
my first year when a friend pushed me to audition for a play. On the curtain
call on the premiere night, being on that stage, I realized that that was where I
needed to be.
What about your passion appeals to you the most?
mmm…… the fact that I can live, eat and breathe it. I can incorporate it into my
everyday life.
What drove you to make money from your passions?
I strongly believe that if you are not passionate about your career and work, you will be unhappy and bored. So over the last decade, I only work on passion-driven projects
When was the first time you were paid for your passion?
I was in a beacon chocolate advert, whilst studying at Wits.
What kept you going when you thought about giving up?
I have never thought about giving up. I believe that talent is a gift and for me to
give up on that gift from God, would be an insult.
What motivates you every day to be even more successful?
I have inspired many women from all around the world. I am also aware that
my life can be taken away at any point and so every day I aim to live my best
life.
What do you have to say to all of the people who doubted you?
Hahahahaha it’s not about you but thanks for the push and drive.
What advice do you give to aspiring creative is who look up to you?
Take time to discover you, create a path that defines you and feeds your passion.
Build a thick skin and go out and be whomever you want to be.
A trillion words are not enough to spell out the boundless achievements by our Nigerian born Africa icon, lead actor and producer, Hakeem Kae Kazim.
@hakeemkaekazim - INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER
World-renowned actor, Hakeem Kae Kazim is best known for his work in the Black Sails series and Hotel Rwanda.
Growing up in London. his initial interest in acting was ignited in early years as his passion in school plays and the National Youth Theatre sparked off.
After graduating from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, he joined The Royal Shakespeare Company and continued classical training.
Hakeem successfully progressed with several appearances in British television, The Bill, Trial & Retribution and Grange Hill, a popular BBC series.
He relocated to South Africa, where he initially became known for the infamous Fresca commercial and several television and film roles. After his portrayal of Georges Rutaganda in Hotel Rwanda, an Oscar-nominated, critically acclaimed film, he rooted into international attention.
This is when Hakeem followed a range of opportunities streaming his way and relocated to Los Angeles.
He appeared in Slipstream along with Sean Astin, The Front Line and starred as Captain Jocard, in the huge success, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.
This followed X-Men Origins: Wolverine, another blockbuster.
Lost
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Criminal Minds.
Colonel Iké Dubaku in Fox television series 24 and the tie-in movie
Gotham and Dominion,
Starz series – Black Sails
The Fourth Kind
Roots: chronicles the life and times of an African slave sold To America
His latest role is in Dynasty, a critically acclaimed soapie that premiered in 1981, playing Cesil Colby in the show.
The calm before the storm. 🎬 Dynasty on The CW #hakeemkaekazim #cesilcolby #dynasty #naijameetsusa
He also starred as Ade in Man on Ground, an Akin Omotoso film. This was reuniting with Akin after initial collaboration with the feature film God is African that highlighted xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
He pledges his support for a brighter for the motherland of Africa
“It is time for African story to set stage from the African perspective on the world stage of cinema”
Tell us what drives you? What is your true passion in life?
My family and my work drive me
How did you find your passion and how old were you?
My passion is my work as an actor/ producer.
I found my passion or first hints of it when I did my first play at school when I was 11. And really truly knew it was my passion after my first year in the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain aged 15.
What about your passion appeals to you the most?
Everything about my passion appeals to me.
What drove you to make money from your passions?
Nothing, as I do my passion and am lucky enough to get paid for it.
When was the first time you were paid for your passion?
My first job after drama school at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford upon Avon in the U.K.
What kept you going when you thought about giving up?
Never thought about giving up
What motivates you every day to be even more successful?
I am motivated by the love of my work and the happiness of my family.
What motivates you every day to be even more successful?
Don’t really think about the people who doubted me as they never told me to my face so I don’t know who they are or would be and wouldn’t want to.
What advice do you give to aspiring creatives who look up to you?
To all those aspiring creatives I say live your passion, for then you will never work a day in your life!!!
All the way from Nigeria, known as 'Scientist Emma" he is ready with innovative thunder and lightning to spark off the generation of constant electricity and light up Africa!
Africa’s fastest rising scientist has his findings widely published in over one hundred and twenty countries, as well as the “Chicago Carbon Capture” report.Featured in leading Nigeria media platforms, he is the CEO of Spirate Engineering and the founder of Spirate Tech, ready to launch a new generation of aspiring youngsters into electrical dimensions for the future of Africa.
Tell us what drives you? What is your true passion in life?
What drove me into my inventing is passion and determination. I have the passion for inventing something new into the world. I am fulfilled when I solve people’s problem with my inventions. That is why all must follow passions in life.
How did you find your passion and how old were you?
I found my passion right from a tender age. That was when I was in primary school called DSC model nursery, and a primary school in Orhuwhorun, Warri Delta state.
I initially found myself producing dusters that my teacher used in cleaning the chalkboard that was used for many years… and a torchlight…. lol….memories of yesterday.
What about your passion appeals to you the most?
Well, the passion that appeals to me the most is the act of producing electrical and electronic gadgets. I have this love for electronics design as far back as when I was in secondary school, called Challenge Academy Secondary School , DSC, Ovwian Aladja.
I used to produce handset charger with torchlight, and I was into the production of producing inverters and battery chargers far back….That was SO many years ago.
What drove you to make money from your passions?
Actually what drove me in making money from my passion was that sometimes I went financially down and I noticed that it cost money to purchase materials. That made me start producing some product like the torchlight battery, lanterns and so on. I sold them and use the money I actualize to produce new products and also solve my financial problems.
When was the first time you were paid for your passion?
Smiles….That was so many years ago that was during my secondary school days then I improved on the version of torchlight I usually produced.
Then, in my primary school and sold it to one man known as Chika’s father. He bought it at N500 Naira ( Nigeria currency) so it motivated me to produce more and I continued selling them as demand increased.
What kept you going when you thought about giving up?
What kept me going when I thought of giving up was the encouragements so many people were giving to me. Some usually tell me that I have a brighter future and that I will go far in life if I don’t give up.
Sometimes when there is no money to buy materials to produce something, I will feel like giving up. Because of the passion for electronics design, I continue encouraging myself till I scale through it.
What motivates you every day to be even more successful?
Actually what motivates me to be more successful is that whenever I produced something and it worked, it motivates me to do more. Nothing motivates a man other than whatsoever he produces works.
For instance, Deutsche Welle (DW) Germany via eco@Africa rated me the fourth position in the world amongst the top five solar energy inventions from Africa in 2017.
What do you have to say to all of the people who doubted you?
Well, what I have to say to all those who doubted me is that they should cultivate the habit of encouraging fellow inventors like me and stop doubting them!
A lot of people who doubted me now see that I’m one of the fastest rising scientists on our Motherland of Africa, and they wonder why my findings were widely published in journals of over 120 Countries through the carbon capture report Chicago, USA and in some Nigerian Newspapers such as:
African leadership magazine
IT- Tech Africa Magazine
The Ambassador Magazine
Model Path Magazine
Efric Entrepreneur magazine
Herald magazine
Voice of Nigeria Script
The Guardian Newspaper – April 1st, 2017
The Nation Newspaper – May 2nd, 2012
The Sun Newspaper – October 14th, 2015 and 26th January 2016
The Oracle Newspaper – November 29th, 2017
The Champion Newspaper – February 4th, 2012
The Pointer Newspaper – September 23rd, 2013
The Truth Newspaper – October 10th 2012 and November 28th, 2014
The Advocate Newspaper – September 10th 2013,
Vintage Newspaper – November 8th, 2014, among others.
BBC World Service – March21st2014
DwtvGermany – December16th2017
DwtvEspañol Spanish – December15th2017
DwtvAfrica – December15th2017
Channels Tv Uk In Eco @ Africa – December15th2017
NTA International Ntai (Weekend Deal) – March 2016
AIT International on Digivision – September 2017
AIT international on O&M TV Show, June 2016
Core TV International – September 2016
Rave Tv International – November 2017
Voice of Nigeria (VON) West Africa – December23rd201
Delta Rainbow Television Warri – September 2013
NTA Ado-Ekiti – November 2016
Dream FM 92.8 Enugu State Nigeria with Uncle Jude Thomas Dawam
Solid FM 100.6 Enugu State Nigeria WithDrChristian Enebe
Radio Delta with Greg Amona, Mudiaga Asaba
My International Television program
They also have seen that I have been featured in almost all the top leading National and International media such as:
BBC World Service – March 21st, 2014
DwtvGermany – December 16th, 2017
DwtvEspañol Spanish – December 15th, 2017
DwtvAfrica – December 15th, 2017
Channels Tv Uk In Eco @ Africa – December 15th, 2017
NTA International Ntai (Weekend Deal) – March 2016
AIT International on Digivision – September 2017
AIT international on O&M TV Show, June 2016
Core TV International – September 2016
Rave Tv International – November 2017
Voice of Nigeria (VON) West Africa – December 23rd, 2013
Delta Rainbow Television Warri – September 2013
NTA Ado-Ekiti – November 2016
Dream FM 92.8 Enugu State Nigeria with Uncle Jude Thomas Dawam
Solid FM 100.6 Enugu State Nigeria WithDrChristian Enebe
Radio Delta with Greg Amona, Mudiaga Asab
Currently, I’m the C.E.O of Spirate Engineering and also the founder of Spirate Tech Foundation committed to imparting teenagers with technical skills.
I have equally engaged in efforts geared towards empowering the youth to be self-reliant towards in the area of Technology
Holder of the prestigious award of model personality
Award of one of the 50 most influential young people in Enugu state
Afrihub Award on Ca-talk IMT Chapter Enugu state NigeriWestst Africa
Spe Oil & Gas section 103 Rivers state award.
What advice do you give to aspiring creative is who look up to you?
The only advise I have to give to aspiring creative minds that look up to me is:
No matter the challenges you are going through or facing at the moment please don’t ever give up. Remember: “Winners don’t quit and Quitters don’t win”
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