As the nations of the world groan and grieve under the siege of Covid-19 pandemic, African scientists are being challenged to help Africa look inwards and create effective homegrown solutions in combating the pandemic.
In line with this challenge, the World Bank sponsored Africa Centre of Excellence, a technology innovation park of the Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria, is leading the way through the production of nose mask, a key Personal Protective Equipment as part of the concerted response against COVID-19.
Prof Adesola Aderounmu, Dean, Faculty of Technology, Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU in a statement on Wednesday revealed that the locally made nose mask code named ‘IfeMask’ was designed, developed and produced using locally sourced materials by OAU ICT-Driven Knowledge Park (OAK-Park).
According to him, “the mask is unique. It draws its uniqueness in its durability, reusability and comfortability.
“The reinforced rubber material and acrylic painted body makes it possible to be washed and decontaminate after each use.
“The mask does not change shape on reuse and is comfortable to wear. It also embeds an N95 compliant high-efficiency particulate air filter material which allow for breathing while trapping foreign objects.
“The filtering material can be changed after each use. The detachable mask is easy to assemble and dissemble within 2 minutes”.
Prof Aderounmu noted that the design, developing and production of IfeMask aligns with the vision of the World Bank, to create regionally-recognized and acknowledged Centres in Africa that is driven by high quality, commercialized research and technology; and in the case of OAK-Park, to also advance the growth of ICT industry.
“OAK-Park has been a trailblazer in this regard with other products such as drone and finger print scanner all locally produced in its line.
“Currently, the Park is engaging potential manufacturers for a large scale production of the Ife Mask in order to make it widely available, he added.