Sadiq Alhaji Mala, a 15-year-old schoolboy, is a multitalented inventor whose future looks not only bright but brilliant – his dream is to become an engineer.
Mala has already designed and made sophisticated technological toys, including military vehicles, motorbikes, helicopters, aeroplanes, as well a solar-powered tricycle – such as those popularly known as Keke Napep – and a mini gas cooker.
Life hasn’t been easy for this extraordinary youngster. He and his family lived in Yau village in the Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State before the insurgency began in 2009. Repeated attacks by members of the deadly Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād (JAS), better known as Boko Haram, forced the family to flee across the border into neighbouring Niger between 2012 and 2013.
“We stayed there until Borno State governor Babagana Umara Zulum repatriated us back to Maiduguri, where we lived at Mohammed Goni College of Islam (MOGOLIS) internally displaced persons’ camp. But when Zulum decided all state-run IDP camps were to be shut down last year we moved to the town on Auno in the Konduga Local Government Area. I think we left our ancestral home about nine years ago.”
Mala said his dad died when he was a little boy. Now he and his mother were living with his uncle, Ngubdo Gazzali, in Maiduguri, where he attends school.
“My dream is to become an engineer.”
Mala said he was seven or eight when he started building toys. “Initially, I started creating prototypes of vehicles, motorbikes, aeroplanes and helicopters, using clay. Then I started to think of how I could improve these creations. Using local materials, such as metal, plastic bottles, leather, super glue, ashes, damaged cable wire and batteries – among other things – I began making more sophisticated toys that could actually work. I started with an ordinary taxi car and moved on to solar-powered tricycles [Keke Napep], military vehicles, motorbikes, helicopters, aeroplanes and a mini gas cooker.
“I became interested in these electronic toys when I first saw them on television. I was so in awe of these machines that I decided to make my own.
“The reason I make military equipment is because I saw how hard our soldiers worked to protect us. They were always there to help us live in safety, peace and stability. So, I copied their military vehicles, motorbikes, helicopters and aeroplanes. I tried to make them as realistic as possible so they looked like the real thing. I even started creating a military fighter jet. Once it is finished, I will start thinking of what I can do to make it fly.”
Mala said his uncle was not rich so he hoped that the government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), international donors and philanthropists could help him to advance his knowledge and his inventions.
“With support I believe I would be able to manufacture or create a full-scale car, motorbike and tricycle that could be driven effectively. I believe the government needs to help children like me to harness our potential. If they did, it would be for the betterment of us all.”
Hajja Fanna Mustapha, one of Mala’s aunts, told RNI: “I was very surprised when I saw Sadiq creating prototypes of motor cars, motorbikes, helicopters and aeroplanes. They all work perfectly. He has amazing talent and a great imagination. I hope the talent Allah has bestowed on him will be harnessed properly. He is determined that when he finishes school he will go on to study engineering and he hopes to become a brilliant engineer. Now he’s still young and in school. But my prayer for him is that Allah will make his dream come true.”
SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO
