Zinox teams with Freeplay for energy saving in Nigeria

The Digital Accessories Department (DAD) of Zinox Technologies, working with Freeplay Energy of the U.K., recently launched four energy-saving consumer products in Nigeria.

The Jonta flashlight, Kito and Indigo lanterns and EyeMax AM/FM radio all have been certified eco-friendly by the World Health Organization, according to Zinox Chairman Leo Stan Ekeh. Zinox is a leading IT firm in West Africa and has taken on the responsibility of rolling out technologies to improve the lives of people in that region, said Echika Ezuka, Zinox's head of corporate affairs.

Nigeria has suffered from incessant power outages, which have resulted in deaths from fires and toxic fumes emitted by alternative sources of electricity and candles, Ezuka said. There are an increased number of respiratory disease and visual disorders cases as a result of long exposure to these energy sources.

"They could be charged by simply cranking the lever attached to the device and after cranking for a few minutes it is charged and ready to work," he said.

The Jonta flashlight, for instance, can illuminate a surface area of over 50 meters and also has the signal visibility of up to 3 kilometers. The Kito lantern is lightweight and child friendly, with a rugged plastic casing that makes it water and oil resistant.

"It can accommodate sharp drops and is very easy to clean," he said. Ezuka added that the lantern features a cluster of ultra-bright LEDs (light emitting diodes) that provide 360 degrees illumination, and a second single, unidirectional LED. After being cranked for about 60 seconds, the lamp provides up to two hours of light on the lowest setting and up to three hours of continuous ultra-bright light when fully charged.

The EyeMax radio has an integrated LED flashlight for night vision. It can play for approximately one hour at normal volume per one-minute crank and for 25 hours on normal volume when fully charged.