AMERICA’S Youngest Scientist, an 11-year-old Nigerian ENIOLA SHOKUNBI, Manufactures Corsi-Rosenthal Air Filter Machine that cures COVID-19, Cold
….’As an American with Nigerian descent, I believe Nigerians and Africans can benefit by being encouraged and motivated when they hear my story’
*’God forbids, if the pandemic ever happened again, we would be properly equipped to help save lives and keep America safe’
*Writes House of Assembly in Connecticut explaining that keeping the kids of America healthy is the same as keeping the future of America healthy
*Eniola was in a STEM extension class under the Talented And Gifted program, project started when she was in 5th grade in elementary school, Air Filter cost around $60-$65 dollars, no more than $70 per machine
*Announced the EPA testing results in a press conference, asked the Lieutenant governor to convey her message to the governor that she wanted the filters in every classroom in the state
*”Five months later, my mom got a call from Senator Matt Lesser, saying that I was needed at the state capitol to witness the bond commission signing of the over $11million funding. My message to young students across America, Africa and around the world is to always believe in themselves, don’t let anyone dim your light “
SHE IS A TRUE STORY OF SUCCESS, HARDWORK, DETERMINATION. At 11-year-old when most of her school mates still don’t know how to navigate their studies in classes, ENIOLA SHOKUNBI, a calm, intelligent American with a Nigerian heritage and out-of-the-box thinker has become the youngest scientist ever to create an air filter machine that solves COVID-19 and Cold infections. Despite her busy school activities, scientifically-inspiring talk-show engagements, this cool-headed middle schooler in the United States made out time for this refreshing interview with GEORGE ELIJAH OTUMU/AMERICA Senior Investigative Editor, NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER(Pictures-courtesy: Funmike Shokunbi). Enjoy the read below:
*NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER: What inspired you into building or creating an Air Filter Technology project for American schools which is first of its kind by any Black person here in the United States?
ENIOLA: What inspired me to get these Corsi-Rosenthal air filters into schools was seeing my friends getting sick with allergies, and struggling to catch up in class. Lots of my friends had lost family members to COVID-19. So, God forbids, if the pandemic ever happened again, we would be properly equipped to help save lives and keep America safe.
*NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER: Why were you able to create this noble project to reduce 99 percent COVID and Cold in the school classrooms?
ENIOLA: I was able to create this project because I asked for the blue prints from Marina Creed the Director of Indoor air Quality Initiative of Uconn health from the University of Connecticut after I saw an article from a classmate that talked about a group scientist taking the Corsi-Rosenthal air filter to the white house and I did my own research about it.
*NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER: When you conceived and started this project, how were you able to source for the materials in building this historic Air Filter?
ENIOLA: Well, after I had written a letter to Marina Creed to get the blueprints for the Corsi- Rosenthal air filters, she not only sent them, but also offered to bring a team of scientists to my school to help us make it ourselves.
So when they came to MacDonough, they brought materials with them to help us make some of the filters. which I’m very grateful for. So this funding will make it so that no one has to spend out of their own pocket to buy these materials for schools. The funding covers that.
*NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER: What are some of the challenges you encountered and overcame in being able to get this technology project started?
ENIOLA: Let me emphasize here that I am 11 years old and not yet 12 as reported by some media outlets. So, to your question, as an 11 years old, some challenges I encountered were how some people didn’t want the funding to be passed. I learned this after Marina Creed and Senator Lesser came to my house to tell me the House unanimously approved the funding for the air filters and we were waiting for the government to sign off on it.
But for a long time, nothing happened. So I decided to write to all of them explaining how keeping the kids of America healthy is the same as keeping the future of America healthy. I made it clear to them that I am a student in school and I know and see what goes on there which they don’t see and may never know. I let them know that this will be something made for the kids by the kids.
I believe they saw my reasoning, because almost five months later, my mom got a call from Sen. Matt Lesser, saying that I was needed at the state capitol to witness the bond commission signing of the funding.
*NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER: As a 12-year-old Genius in the Middle School, how were you able to raise funds on your own to build the maiden prototype of this your Air Filter Technology project?
ENIOLA: Well, as I said before I’m actually 11 years old and in 8th grade. Also, I didn’t need to buy any materials. They were all provided for by volunteers and Uconn Health at the University of Connecticut.
*NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER: It was reported that each cost of your Air Filter Technology project costs the sum of $60. Does this fee cover all the costs of the materials you put in to build each of this Air Filter?
ENIOLA: Yes, it does cover all the cost of materials needed to build each of the Corsi-Rosenthal air filters. Now as you may know, costs vary depending on where you buy the materials from. And most of the materials you’ll probably have at home, like the scissors or the duct tape. The other materials, depending on where you buy them from, should all together cost around $60-$65 dollars, no more than $70.
*NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER: How were you able to convince your Middle School teachers to believe in your discovery?
ENIOLA: Well, I didn’t need to convince my elementary school teachers, because I was in a STEM extension class under the Talented And Gifted (TAG) program. Remember this project started when I was in 5th grade in elementary school. My teachers believed in me straight away. And for that, I’m truly grateful.
*NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER: What were the responses from your fellow Middle School students on seeing your Air Filter Technology project?
ENIOLA: Some of my classmates were grateful that I was helping them and advocating for their health. Others don’t understand how important that was. But I didn’t let that stop me.
*NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER: How did the Connecticut State Government get involved in your Air Filter Technology project to have invested over $11million?
ENIOLA: They got involved at the press conference in Macdonough where I had the honor of announcing the EPA testing results. There I asked the Lieutenant governor to convey my message to the governor that I wanted these filters into every classroom in our state.
And there, I also met Senator Lesser, who also believed in my mission and supported me and Uconn health in getting the funding. So that was how the Connecticut state government got involved
*NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER: It was also reported in the news that you intend all schools in the United States will have your Air Filter Technology project. How do you intend to achieve this feat?
ENIOLA: Well, I’ve already been invited to schools across the state, and even some virtual meetings for schools in other states. I want to get these in every classroom in the country, but I want to focus first on my state, and then cross that bridge when I get there.
*NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER: As a Nigerian-American, how do you intend Nigerians and Africans back home in the Africa may benefit from your Air Filter Technology project?
ENIOLA: As an American with Nigerian descent, I believe Nigerians and Africans can benefit by being encouraged and motivated when they hear my story. Because, I intend to visit schools across this continent to share my knowledge and push for female children to get interested in STEAM programs.
Doing this, I believe it will strengthen more African children to believe in themselves because, not only does this device help people physically, it also helps mentally. Young girls like me will see themselves in science and STEAM. Young girls like me will see themselves making a difference in their community.
And young girls like me will see that being young and being a girl doesn’t mean that you don’t know anything. Being young gives you some insights that adults may never see.
*NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER: Finally, what is your message to young students across America, Africa and the world looking up to you as hero and their inspiration?
ENIOLA: Well, my message to young students across America, Africa and around the world is to always believe in themselves because, as a proud 11-year-old American of Nigerian descent, I faced a lot of discrimination against my idea, and I want to say to those people who look up to me, don’t let anyone dim your light.
Your age, your gender, your background, your race, should never be a barrier to making a difference in your community. And if it is, just believe in yourself. Believe in God. Stay determined. Stay focused and persevere, because that will get you places. And to the people listening to my story, I want them to learn to follow their dreams, follow their ideas. It doesn’t matter how far-fetched it is. Just believe in yourself and your abilities.
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