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Oando Foundation, an independent non-profit organisation, has deployed a new Information Communication Technology (ICT) Centre the Archbishop Taylor Primary School, Victoria Island, Lagos, as it looks to unearth the next breed of software devlopers.
The company is partnered the U.S State Department’s Global Partnership Initiative, LIONS@FRICA, CoderDojo and the Hello World Foundation to deploy this centre, in an initiative, which seeks to introduce and teach software coding to Oando Adopted Schools. Industry watchers say software and mobile applications development had indeed become a focus area for the federal government. This is in view of the country’s earnest search for an alternative revenue source to oil and gas.
The new initiative dubbed ‘AfriCoderDojo’ will teach 21st century computer coding skills to students between 7-17 years old. The partnership is based on the global CoderDojo scheme, and relies on a volunteer network of implementers and mentors to teach youth the basics of coding anywhere there is a computer and Internet connection.
The mentors will tap into CoderDojo’s vast global experience in teaching coding skills, and supplement the core training curriculum. Students aged 7-12 years will be taught coding using Scratch (Scratch is a project of the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab), while students in the 12-17 age group will start off with HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) and transition to CSS and Javascript.
Speaking at the launch of the centre in Lagos, weekend, Tokunboh Durosaro, Director, Oando Foundation, reiterated the firm’s commitment towards improving Nigeria’s education system. “10.5 million children are out of school in the country. 6 million girls out of 36 million girls worldwide are out of school”, she further stated. According to her, the establishment of ICT centres and implementation of coding programmes is part of the Foundation’s far-ranging curricula in its 47 adopted schools across Nigeria.
In the same vein, Dehab Ghebreab – Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate-General, said Oando is making an immense contribution to youth empowerment. “Education gives opportunities to those who never dreamt of being somebody in life.
“Technology plays a central role in that process. I have visited many schools and the resources are out-dated.”
Access to technology, according to Ghebreab, could help students access the right kind of content. “IT is an essential skill for our youth.
They need to have the IT skills to compete in the 21st century”, said Odein Ajumogobia, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Oando Foundation. Participants will be introduced to modern computer technology, build fluency in coding and learn computer languages that are used to develop
websites, mobile phone applications, computer programs, and electronic games. In his remarks, Adeniyi Mabadeje, Commissioner for Science and Technology, Lagos State, said if the country does not do more to improve education, it would lack the requisite skills to drive the economy.
Ben Uzor Jr
