Meet Nigeria's Future Geeks.

Behold Davidson and Oluwaseun, Nigeria's computer whiz kids
By David Ibemere

THERE may be more young Nigerians eager to follow the footsteps of their 'uncle,' Philip Emeagwali, the internationally acclaimed computer expert.



 
 

Two kids, Davidson Oseremen, 12 years old and Oluwaseun Alade, 13, both Senior Secondary One Science students of Doregos Private Academy are now certified as Microsoft Professionals, making them the youngest ever in Africa.

They passed the requisite examinations conducted on-line in flying colours in February.

Speaking at the presentation of the whiz kids to the media on Wednesday at Babatola Drive, Ikeja, Lagos, Managing Director of New Horizon Computer Learning Centre, Tim Kayode Akano, who in partnership with Daregos Private Academy trained the two pupils, expressed the hope that when the children come of age, and with the additional training, they are likely to receive, this qualification would translate to real, marketable job skills, ready to be used immediately.

He further said that for Nigeria to be re-branded, emphasis should be placed on technology, which has the potential of generating national income to the tune of $50 billion just by selling information every year.

This, he said, would increase the country's foreign reserve and also reduce overdependence on oil exportation for foreign exchange.

He called on well-meaning Nigerians, government and corporate bodies to assist New Horizon in empowering youths as that is a sure way of alleviating poverty and also gainfully employing the youth as well as guarantee reduction in criminal activities.

The government, he said, should make computer training compulsory in all schools from primary level up to the university.

Development Platform Manager for Microsoft Anglophone West Africa, Ken Spann at the presentation revealed that the two kids have shown that Nigeria needs to be properly explored as huge intellectual potentials abound in the nation.

"Microsoft is giving out $7 million worth of software to private and public schools as a means of getting students acquainted to the working of computers.

Who knows if another Bill Gate could be discovered in Nigeria."?

Country Manager for Microsoft Nigeria, Emmanuel Onyeje said he believes that if given proper training and platform to express themselves, Davidson Oseremen and Alade Oluwaseun would definitely go places

The father of Oluwaseun Alade, Mr. Femi Alade, an engineer, thanked New Horizon and Microsoft for making the dream of his daughter become real.

According to Davidson's mother, Mrs. Theresa Oseremen "my child has always shown promise.

At nine, my son and his friend, 10-year-old Riliwan Shittu, assembled a Personal Computer System at Sheraton Hotel & Towels in 2006, to the amazement of everyone present.

The two, Davidson and Oluwaseun, could not hide their excitement, thanking God and New Horizon for helping them achieve such a feat.

According to them, it would have been impossible without Divine help and New Horizon.

http://odili.net/news/source/2009/mar/27/17.html

Nice article but learning microsoft gui does not make you a genius. Microsoft is meant to make you lazy - Geeks use Linux, that's a challenge.