Iliyasu Aminu Alkassim is a resident of Gobirawa in Kurna area of Dala Local Government Area in Kano metropolis, who recently created a transmitter that is currently transmitting live. The radio station, which was created using a small circuit that can be carried along, is currently on air and transmitting on 87.5 frequency modulation band, known as FM.
The 15-year-old boy, who is currently in SS2 in a government school in Kano, said he started from repairing lamps, sockets, extension wire, radio, among other things. He later opened his own shop in the community where he was repairing these gadgets, and later thought of inventing something bigger.
Speaking to Daily Trust Saturday in an exclusive interview, Alkassim said the idea came to him while he was repairing some gadgets. “But that time, I was still in primary school and I didn’t have the money to buy some of the items to use.
“However, while I was working and schooling, I began to gather money from my work and then started buying some of the items. All my dreams then were to see the transmitter working just like other radio stations in Kano.”
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According to him, he started from designing the circuit on paper and then drawing it using a computer, adding that from there he moved to a workshop in CITAD where he was offered their lab and supported with other items that he could not afford.
How it works
The transmitter, which uses a rechargeable battery, can transmit sound wave for a long distance, but not as long as the normal transmitters due to the limitations of the gadgets used.
“It is a transmitter that works the same way other transmitters work but because the gadgets are not as big as the ones used by radio stations, sound transmission cannot go too far. There is an IC, diode, capacitor, resistor and so on.
“If you are on your FM radio, just tune to 87.5FM and you will listen to the station. It took a long time and I invested a lot of my experiences to develop it. I thank God it is now working,” the young boy said.
With interest to study mechatronics at the university, young Alkassim said he has a dream of inventing a bigger radio transmitter that will compete with the ones produced by developed countries.
He said the circuit designed on paper alone is the biggest work, adding that in developed countries, designing the circuit only can generate a lot of money for you.
My next projects and why army contacted me
Alkassim said apart from his dream of going deeper with his studies, he is desirous of delving into the world of technological innovations.
“I want to set up a television station and a big radio station. I also plan to work on a drone that has a scanner that can video things.”
He said as a result of a drone he invented, he got connected to the Nigerian Army who promised to offer him a contract to invent a drone for them.
“Because of a mini drone I invented, the army said I will do some for them (as a form of motivation). They said we will work together and they want me to do some equipment that involves security. I am doing a signal gamer that can interrupt the network of a particular place. I also created a machine that can improve the network. There is another one that can put off a radio station signal. Even though it is on, I can turn it off.
“So, they said I will work for them. There is also a plane that can detect or close networks. There is also another device that can hack Bluetooth to trace what some people are saying through it.”
He said because of these inventions, one of the leaders in the Nigerian Army came from Abuja and met with him at the Government House.
“We met and discussed. They asked me to list all I want, they will pay me and we will work together.”
Alkassim said he met the Kano State governor who promised him a lot that will improve his talent and make him more productive than he is now.
Challenges and advice to young ones
On whether he is facing challenges in what he is doing, the young tech guru said he faced challenges in the past when he was battling to get required attention from like minds and other stakeholders.
He said initially people were seeing him as someone who doesn’t know the realities of life, but later, “People noticed that I’m talented and started to recognize what I am doing.
“Then I was fabricating things that were not very useful, such as a plane that will just fly. But later, I invented a sumo pump that digs up water, and then the transmitter and signal gamer. From then, people noticed me. CITAD invited me to work in their lab and use their computer, radio stations also invited me for interviews and so on.”
While advising young boys who are willing to join the world of technology, Alkassim said despite the challenges, he didn’t give up but rather continued pursuing his passion until he delivered.
“If you listen to the challenges, you will not do anything. They will discourage you and your dream may likely diminish. So, I think anybody that is willing to join this sector has to get ready for challenges ahead. They have to make sure they overcome them and move on.
“They should also get ready to mix studies with other things they will do to pursue a living. I am currently studying and at the same time doing all these.”
He added that his biggest dream is to create jobs for people in the future.
