Prosper Ukachi, a visionary from Abuja, Nigeria, is changing perceptions about water conservation with his groundbreaking app concept, BlueHub.
The app recently received recognition in the Xylem Ignite Global Student Innovation Challenge, marking a significant achievement for Prosper and his collaborator, Gabriel Portas from Spain.
BlueHub is a prototype phone app that encourages individuals to understand their water usage better and take active steps to conserve water. The app incorporates conversational information and a user-friendly water usage calculator. By answering a few basic questions, users can assess their average water consumption and access various tools to monitor and reduce their usage.
Moreover, BlueHub fosters water-saving communities by facilitating connections among like-minded individuals through forums and private messages. Utilizing gamification, the app rewards users for improving their water consumption habits and provides push notifications of their achievements that can be shared with others.
Prosper expressed his motivation behind creating BlueHub, stating, “The UK’s environmental agencies estimate that people there waste up to three billion liters each day! Much of that is lost through simple things like inefficient handwashing. We created this app to encourage individuals to conserve water by observing how their behaviors affect water and by providing them with actions to follow to enhance water conservation.”
The Xylem Ignite Global Student Innovation Challenge invites students worldwide to submit projects that contribute to water conservation. BlueHub emerged victorious in the Awareness to Action category for tertiary student projects. It is a remarkable accomplishment for Prosper, who faced personal challenges but persevered in acquiring knowledge and certifications in technology courses.
Originally studying civil engineering at a Nigerian private university, Prosper had to discontinue his studies due to a family tragedy. Nevertheless, his ambition and thirst for knowledge led him to collaborate with Gabriel, based in Spain, to create the winning app concept.
Prosper’s triumph exemplifies the power of determination and the belief that obstacles should not deter one from pursuing their goals. This sentiment also resonates with the critical issue of water conservation, as the world faces pressing challenges related to water scarcity and pollution.
The BlueHub app offers a beacon of hope, demonstrating how technology, ambition, and knowledge can be harnessed to address Africa’s most significant challenges. Prosper’s story serves as an inspiration to people across the continent, highlighting the potential for innovative solutions to emerge from Africa and make a global impact.
Chetan Mistry, Xylem Africa’s Strategy and Marketing Manager, commended Prosper and Gabriel’s work, stating, “We are very proud of the work done by Prosper and his teammate, Gabriel. It’s exciting that a solution that initially targets the UK was developed here in Africa. That shows that with the right mindset and resources, we can tackle problems as well as any other part of the world.”
The Xylem Ignite Global Student Innovation Challenge provides a platform for young minds aged 13 to 25 to develop projects addressing pressing environmental challenges, particularly water-related issues. Through the virtual #hackathon, participants gain access to informative webinars and mentoring by leading water experts, fostering the development of innovative solutions for a sustainable future.
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