Weekend, I received an email from Mr. Charles Emembolu, requesting for my presence at the exhibition/official kickoff of TechQuest 2017 Summer Camp,
He is the Director of TechQuest, an information training organization situated at No 1a Olajide George Street, Off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1. TechQuest was incorporated in 2015, primarily focused on capacity building for children aged 6-16.
On arrival, I sighted Hon. Desmond Olusola Eliot, Nolly Wood veteran actor and APC lawmaker who represents Surulere constituency at the Lagos State House of Assembly, addressing attendees at the event.
I needed to register, before I had finished doing that, Desmond was done speaking and already taking photos with Mr. Charles. From his body language, it was evident, that Desmond needed to leave the venue immediately.
I had a swift workaround at the ultra modern 24 seater training laboratory where the 2017 TechQuest Summer Camp is expected to hold, July 17th – September 8th.
The team members were warmly receptive, and one of them, who introduced himself as Demola, devotes his time to explain some of the skills which the kids between the ages of 6 to 16 are expected to learn.
Demola tells me that, the kids will have the skills to build impressive animations, excellent games, engaging apps, and exciting science projects.
I pondered for few minutes, how a kid of 6 years would have a complete grasp of how to build games, applications and all that.
Little did I know that TechQuest kids will also learn the fundamentals of web development, animation and game design using tools and curriculum such as HTML, CS First, Scratch and Raspberry Pi.
“We have also introduced robotics and elements of digital electronics as part of our camps program,” Demola Adds.
In all of these conversations with Demola, I discovered that TechQuest from its end is entirely involved in delivering Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) experiential learning across Nigeria.
Thoughtfully, the demand for technology skills around the world is exponentially high, and developing countries like Nigeria must be prepared to develop strong skills set to contend with the on-going tech disruption.
Am sure the Nigerian government understands this, and that is why techie guys like Mr. Charles and his team members have been engaged over the years to help brigde the technology gap and nurture young minds.
Initially, I had a couple of questions in mind to ask Mr. Charles, who is behind the well thought-out initiative. And at the same time, I became curious about Desmond Elliot presence.
“I saw Desmond Elliot, am not sure he is a techie guy, am wondering why he was here,” I asked. Here is the response from Mr. Charles:
“In 2016, we collaborated with Honourable Desmond Elliot and the Surulere Local Government, to provide over 1000 Surulere kids the opportunity to learn Scratch and HTML for free. This was notably the only largest STEM training ever held in Nigeria.
Obviously, he still supports the initiative having collaborated with TechQuest in 2016, I thought.
We digressed a bit, and Mr. Charles revealed that ExxnonMobil had sponsored TechQuest to deliver STEM training using virtual laboratories.
“This CSR project earned ExxonMobil the SERAs Award for the best company in CSR/Sustainability West Africa for 2016.”
Meanwhile, it was quite encouraging to see parents troop in with their kids, to have a feel of what their kids could come up with, if they register them for the Summer Camp
Everybody saw and felt some of the applications built by the team member of TechQuest.
I wasn’t surprised to see the kids attracted to Robotics and Scratch, a visual drag and drop programming language developed by some smart folks at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
After having a feel of the lab for over one hour, a closer look at the doorway, I saw my boss, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, Founder of CFAtech.ng. The arrival of my boss alongside Ezekiel, his six-year-old son prolonged my departure.
I reignited conversations with Mr. Charles. I asked him how long he had been involved in this and how possible it has been for the team.
He tells me that TechQuest commenced experiential learning activities in 2015 with four summer camps across Lekki, Yaba, Victoria Island and Ikeja.
“By 2016 we extended our reach to an additional 3 Nigerian (Osun, Anambra, and Rivers) states with embedded programs in 12 schools. By December 2016, we had trained a little over 1500 Nigerian children.
Further, he says, between August 29th and 9th September 2016, TechQuest had delivered the single largest STEM training camp ever to hold in Nigeria.
“The program was co-sponsored and supported by 4 Nigeria based organizations BH Stripes, Ray Bros, SDEM Erectors and Crestsage Limited.” he concludes.
Conclusion
I think it’s important to start building up skills at very young age, by implication, Nigeria will not run out of the necessary skills to make the country technology viable.
My advice is for parents to enroll their kids on initiatives like this, however, if you are interested in registering your kids for the TechQuest 2017 Summer Camp, kindly visit their website.
