Princewill Okon, a 40-year-old bachelor still searching, speaks on his journey since childhood days. In this interview, Okon says, “I see Nigeria breeding a genius through me in mathematical form, like scrabble and chess”, BINTA SHAMA reports
Where and how did you come up with this invention?
Mathematics has always been my thing, living a solitary life from my childhood till date; has made me come up with a lot of calculation. I love calculations, solving problems, creating utilities that can serve as short cuts to solving problems, so mathematics make it possible for me. The inspiration of mathsoccer came up when I was 7years old in primary two.
Then I used the mathematical table to create weekly examination report card. The idea was to help me fantasize on improving academically during my primary school days. I use to create daily score sessions. The first was in the morning then second in the afternoon then third in the evening. As a child I grew up with my dad being a single parent, he was very strict and over protective of me going out to mingle with others.
I was always told to stay indoors which made me come up with this creativity, then in 1992, when I attained the age of 15, missing the fun of scoring goals in mathematics made me come up with this daring creative idea. Within a week I came up with the idea to make it work.
Then it came about just like that, and over the years I brushed up to perfection. Why math soccer and not painting?
Soccer has to do with intelligence and quick calculations unlike other related fields which could be done incoherently. If I am given the opportunity to paint I will go in same line with painting soccer that would attract people to play and patronize.
I came up knowledgeably with this invention at the age of 15, as at that time materials like the flex, that is used for designing flex banners we have around here, were not available, the cost of printing was high and at that age I had no idea to depict because the popular games then were game boy, broker, super Mario etc either in form of arched, cd powered consoles etc.
Any educational qualification?
Not a singular educational background as at the time I came up with this invention, except the mathsoccer copyright certificate that identifies the product as my brain child and a symbol of my ingenuity. I furthered to equip myself a bit though.
At the Expo’ 17, what was your experience?
As soon as I was able to come up with this invention in March 2015, I started making my moves by reaching out to four categories of persons.
The youths on the streets, corporate organisations to see if they could partner with me, and schools to see if I could be allowed to lecture teachers on how it goes or some certain amount of students to teach the game and organize competitions. And finally the government to be establish. I started with the Ministry of Science and Technology, Akwa ibom , then to National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP).
Got an invite directly from NOTAP, from there I followed it up then the event went quite smoothly which I was presented with a certificate and today I am confident that I will go places with God’s intervention via the Expo.
On a scale of 100, what will be your observation?
I will say a 100% but if given opportunity I will say a 110 or even a 1000 because this invention will be forever, being constantly polished with other versions of the products that will give it more variety to suit certain purposes. And besides, who knows what the younger generation may come up with from this in the nearest future?
Observing chess or scrabbles, it is an indoor game, later became a competitive game and even played on the internet or social media. At a scale of 100, I hope mathsoccer will do same or even better.
Plans of reaching great heights….
I see myself on CNN talking about it to the entire world as the first to invent such and a Nigerian at that because to the best of my knowledge nothing of this nature has been invented to benefit kids from tender age and would also love to organize world championship on mathsoccer, then with the success and having its franchise all over the world I will love to go ahead and launch other inventions I have in place waiting for the right moment to do so.
Since I am financially handicapped it will not be easy for me to expose what I have already created. With the availability of money, there will be no hindrances to achieving these heights.
What do you want to air out?
Well, I will start by thanking God Almighty for giving my dad the knowledge to guide me on this path for not all succeed on such lane of idleness. The DG of NOTAP, Dr Danazimi Ibrahim that God used as stepping stone to bring me out to limelight. And I would love to tell everyone both young and old not to give up on whatever talents they have because at the appointed time they will also be announced. God bless Nigeria and all Nigerians.
