Varsity students win prizes for flood, waste management solutions

Nine students of the University of Ibadan have been awarded cash prizes for advancing innovative flood and management solutions in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The students from the undergraduate and post-graduate levels emerged at the finals of the Geo-hackathon, Season II competition held at the University of Ibadan.

The Season II Geo-Hackathon, University of Ibadan Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Development programme was held in conjunction with the World Bank Assisted Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project, the Oyo State Government and the GIS Konsult Limited.

A 200-level student of Computer Science, Osalor Wonderful, and Waris Sanusi, a 500-level student of Industrial Production Engineering alongside Ajulo Samuel won the grand prize of N500, 000 for developing a web-based application for automated flood-risk assessment and waste management.

Two undergraduate students of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering of the university, Sonny-Egbeahie Akhere, Akinlade Joseph emerged first runner up, winning N300, 000, for evolving flood early warning system using water level sensors.

Also, Ayanda Joy, an undergraduate student of the department of Geography emerged winner in the Innovative Solution/Research category for promoting a Flood Health Risk Mapper concept and got the sum of N300, 000, among others.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships (RISP), University of Ibadan, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, said the university was in partnership with Geo-hackathon to promote research, innovation, develop environmental and industry viable solutions for sustainable development.

The Coordinator, Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project (IUFMP), Mr. Dayo Ayorinde noted that such initiatives like geo-hackathon will help to proffer practicable solutions to lingering flooding problem in Ibadan.