On a regular afternoon in Lagos, while many children her age were busy with play, Precious Aroh sat quietly with a sketchpad. Her imagination took her somewhere different. She pictured a car, but not just any car—it was one that could breathe, heal, and protect. She called it the “Virus Vacuum.”
That simple drawing, created within the walls of Corona School, Gbagada, would soon travel far beyond her classroom. Entered into the 18th Toyota Dream Car Art Contest, her vision stood shoulder-to-shoulder with over 665,000 entries from children around the world. And when the results were announced, Precious had done something extraordinary: she was named a Best Finalist in the global competition, earning a $3,000 cash prize, a trophy, certificate, and commemorative shield.
Her dream car was no ordinary sketch. It was a futuristic vehicle designed with empathy.
“My dream car is called Virus Vacuum, the dream car of clean air,” Precious explained. “It has suction vents that pull viruses from the air. Inside the car, these viruses are destroyed, leaving behind fresh, safe air. It’s a car that not only transports people but also heals the world around us.”
In an age where the memory of a global pandemic is still fresh, her idea struck a chord.
The award ceremony, held in Lagos, was more than a formal presentation. Cameras flashed, her teachers beamed, and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Aroh, could not hide their pride. Kunle Ade-Ojo, Managing Director of Toyota Nigeria Limited, personally handed over her award and praised her creativity:
“Precious’s exceptional artistry and vision have once again placed Nigeria on the global stage. Her dream of a virus-eliminating car is not only imaginative but also deeply relevant in today’s world.”
This achievement also carried a sense of continuity. Just two years ago, another pupil of Corona School, Oluwademilade David Odumuboni, became the first Nigerian to win the Global Grand Prize in the same contest. Now, Precious has added her own chapter to that story, further establishing her school as a cradle of young visionaries.
For Precious, the journey is just beginning. She has already decided how to use her prize money - not on fleeting indulgences, but on books, art materials, and digital tools to sharpen her skills and expand her imagination.
Behind her success lies a network of encouragement-her parents, her teachers, and her school-all of whom played a part in shaping the confidence and curiosity that led her to this point.
The Toyota Dream Car Art Contest, now in its 18th year, is more than a global art competition. It is a stage where children are encouraged to imagine what the future of mobility should look like; sustainable, creative, and human-centered. For Precious, it became a chance to show the world that the dreams of a young Nigerian girl could carry both invention and compassion.
And so, with her “Virus Vacuum,” Precious has offered more than a vision of a car. She has offered a glimpse of a future where technology and kindness can travel side by side.
As she returns to her sketchpad in Lagos, she carries with her a reminder for the world: sometimes, the most powerful ideas about tomorrow come from the youngest voices today.
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