Firm introduces Micro:bit device to new generation of gifted Nigerian youths

A firm specialising in computer software applications – Almond Careers, has introduced a new computer device that will enhance the intellect and creativity of Nigerian youths as well as shift emphasis to technology creation instead of technology consumption.

Addressing journalists at St. Savior’s College, Ikoyi, Lagos, venue of the flag off of a training organised to familiarise teachers from different schools on how the device operates, Chief Executive Officer of Almond Careers,

Mr Henry Mbadiwe, said he specialises in building software applications in the UK and it is at the backdrop of this that he decided to come to Nigeria to train teachers on the software.

“British Broadcasting Corporation discovered that there were less technology minds in the UK and they wanted something that will make children more creative, fall in love with Information Technology and Coding,

not just on the screen of computers but giving instructions until it becomes real, not just about coding in theory but the practical application to life.

This has been done in the UK and all the children in seventh grade were given the device,” he said.

“I said to BBC and Microbit to come to Nigeria and train the teachers first and, through Almond Careers, we are bringing it to schools to train the teachers, there is no programming language like this in the world put together by companies like Samsung, Amazon, Microsoft and BBC.

We are bringing the technology to schools to help children write computer codes that will not just end on the screen but can be used in our everyday lives.”

Mbadiwe bemoaned the lack of proper investment in infrastructure which is hampering the growth of Nigeria’s technological development, giving the United Kingdom as an example where government is spending a lot on infrastructure to lay down cables on the ground to enable internet connections as well as build technology infrastructure that companies can latch on to.

“It is that futuristic thinking that enables the country to survive. It’s difficult to bring this on board if we don’t plan for the future because this is an application that will enable the children in the next 10 years to do amazing things with the computer,

all the applications like Amazon, Facebook were developed by young people, the children in year seven today in the next 10 years would have graduated and do a lot of world changing programming.”

Mbadiwe further said governments in Nigeria need to also invest in the young ones so that in the next 10 years they would have created something that will take the country to the next level.

“The major challenge is lack of infrastructure. For instance, we visited some schools in the rural areas and the children are brilliant enough to understand computer programming and compete with other children across the world but there is no electricity supply to power the computers, government should do more in the area of infrastructure”, he said.

The Daily Times gathered that the devise costs between N12,000 to N15,000, and the company is ready to support schools in the area of teachers’ training with a reasonable amount for logistics.

One of the trainees Mr Damian Oyibo from Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Youth Development Center informed that the Center is charged with inspiring the creative energy of youths who are highly in tune with Information and Communication Technology. He added that this new technology is mind blowing because it demystifies computer programming and coding, it is a short cut to endless possibilities to invention and creativity.

Adebayo Victoria from Faith Academy, Otta, in Ogun State, was delighted that “complex things are being broken down into easy parts, we can send the computer on errand with this device,

our youth today have enough energy running wild but with this device they can channel that energy to positive direction, they can create new games as some of them like playing games;

it is a privilege to be among the flagship schools pioneering this programme in the whole of the African Continent Mrs Folashade Savage from St Saviour School, Ikoyi, told our reporter that

“One of the reasons why children learn social vices on the computers is because they want to be engaged, and this device is all engaging and will properly engage them in the positive direction.”

She said the new technology tasks their brain and explores their creativity in the positive direction.

“It will also improve their intellect because it will help their thinking skills – especially when faced with real life challengers, they can easily proffer solutions to real life situautions.

Esther Taiwo