|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Summary
Joy Mamkwe, a Michael Okpara University biochemist graduate, has innovated a locally made reusable sanitary pad using banana trucks.
Passionate about research, Joy Mamkwe, a Michael Okpara University biochemist graduate, has innovated a new locally made reusable sanitary pad using banana trucks.
Joy revealed that her love for research and renewable energy led to the innovation of the locally made sanitary pad. Moreover, banana trucks were in abundance in the southern part of Nigeria, particularly in Abia State. She also noted that the sanitary pads are safe as the raw materials have been sterilised before their final production.
“I was working on renewable energy, but along the way, I came across some waste materials in Nigeria that could be turned into something useful. And that’s banana trunks, which we have in abundance here in Abia State,” she said.
Nigeria is arguably the largest banana producer in West Africa. But the truck goes to waste, whereas it could be used to produce books and textile materials. As such, Joy describes her journey to innovation further.
“From my research, I discovered that banana trunks could be extracted and used to produce reusable sanitary pads. I was in my final year when I started the project in 2022. Since then, it has been research work and project development. I later graduated and went for the NYSC service, which I completed last year (2024). So, this year, I started production, though on a small scale,” she said.
Joy revealed that the innovation has yet to be certified by the National Agency for Drugs and Food Control due to financial constraints that could set up the production. However, Mr Mike Akpara, the commissioner for Small and Medium Enterprise, Abia state, has expressed interest in the development, urging Joy to write to the ministry for possible funding.Â
