From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
The Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria has once again demonstrated its glowing influence in sustainable development and innovation as it recorded an outstanding performance at the ‘Power the Community 2025’ International Design Competition.
This was contained in a statement from the Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor, of the University and made available to the media in Kaduna today, Monday.
The statement said that the university was represented by two teams – Terra Haven and Shika Oasis – at the online international contest organised by Energy Mentors, a non-profit organisation dedicated to fostering innovation and sustainable practices in the energy field.
The competition was the second annual event put together by Energy Mentors which provides a “unique opportunity” for students to showcase their creativity and skills in designing energy infrastructure for communities of their choice.
Energy Mentors is based in Sugar Land City, Fort Bend County, Texas, United States.
The competition was open to undergraduate, graduate, and even high school students worldwide to apply their knowledge and skills to solve a real-world challenge while competing for a share of the $31,000 prize pool, with the grand prize being $10,000.
The recently concluded global event featured entries from 18 countries, and two student’ teams from Ahmadu Bello University emerged among the top 10.
The entries of the winning teams – Terra Haven and Shika Oasis – embodied ABU’s strength in sustainable design, energy efficiency, and community-focused development.
Their performance has, indeed, positioned the university on the global map of sustainable energy research and development.
Dean, Faculty of Environmental Design, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Abdullahi Abubakar, announced the students’ feat when he briefed the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, on the outstanding performance of the teams at the online global contest.
Prof. Abubakar, who briefed the Vice-Chancellor along with the instructors and the winning students, explained that the teams had spent several months developing innovative solutions for sustainable energy infrastructure.
The Dean, who lauded the students’ dedication and innovation, said the teams were guided by a cross-disciplinary committee of instructors from the Faculty of Environmental Design and the Faculty of Engineering.
“They represented not only the university but also the entire country, Prof. Abubakar said.
Abubakar quoted a popular adage, ‘Start where you are, do what you can, use what you have’, which according to him, was an apt reflection of how the teams overcame limited funding to produce world-class designs.
Responding, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, commended the students for their “exceptional performance”, stressing that ABU could solve global problems.
“If this were a national competition, you would have taken first place”, the Vice-Chancellor told the winning teams.
Prof. Ahmed pledged the university’s full support towards further development and potential real-world implementation of their designs in nearby communities, with possibilities for federal adaptation.
He also highlighted the international value of the certifications awarded to students and described them as international brands.
The Vice-Chancellor further reaffirmed the university’s commitment to excellence as the university management was committed to ensuring “you win even more competitions”.
Members of Shika’s Oasis led by Morgan Ufuoma (Mechatronics Engineering) were Cuorge B. Emmanuel (Urban and Regional Planning), Umar Zainab (Glass and Silicate Technology), Okaekwu C. Nixon (Water Resources and Environmental Engineering), Effiong Bassey (Industrial Design), Ismaila Blessing Salamatu (Architecture), Usman Aisha Amani (Architecture), and Agada Williams (Water Resources and Environmental Engineering).
Terra Haven had Adule Yima (Industrial Design) as the team lead with Sani Samaila Dogo (Quantity Surveying), Augustine O. Joy (Architecture), and Bello Omeiza Awwal (Building) as members. Others were Yahaya Faiza Oiza (Water Resources and Environmental Engineering), Ojo David Oladimeje (Urban and Regional Planning), Owoeye Ayomide (Glass and Silicate Technology), and Adegoke Labeeb (Mechatronics Engineering).
Department of Building’s Prof. A.M. Stanley chaired the five-member committee that coordinated the sustainable energy infrastructure design competition at the university.
Other committee members included Prof. Shittu Abdulmajid, Department of Urban and Regional Planning; Dr. Y.Y. Badiru, Department of Architecture; Aminu Yusuf Zubairu, Department of Mechatronic Engineering; and Dr. Abdullahi Sule Argungu, Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering.
