Coding, a tool for empowerment — Experts say

By Chinaza Osigwe and Chidimma Afah, Awka

Experts in the field of Software Development has stated that Coding is a tool for empowerment and community development.
This was stated in a tech summit held at ASUU/NAU Secretariat, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka with the the theme ” Innovate for impact, Unleashing coding talents for a sustainable future” on 2nd March,2024.

Speaking at the summit, Mr. Chukwuemeka Agbata, the CEO Anambra State ICT Agency, represented by Hon. Tochukwu stated that Coding is crucial in today’s digital age and plays a role in every aspect of ones life. He said that coding is a major tool for empowerment and community development whilst adding that Coding makes one digitally literate – not fall prey to scammers.

The keynote speaker, Barr. Sylvester Okonkwo, Special Adviser to the Senate President urged the participants to do all they do with excitement.
In his keynote address, he enumerated the advantages of coding in all spheres of life, agriculture, security, education, transportation etc. He noted that “by leveraging the data analytics and AI, we can streamline logistics . Also, through coding, we can cultivate a more inclusive society”.

Speaking on ” Building Eco-friendly software solution”, Mr. Akachukwu Ntutuokwu, a Software Architect at Flutterwave who joined through zoom urged the participants to have resource optimization when building coding softwares. He also urged everyone to follow green software development.

Furthermore, Dr. Obiora Anthony, a Remote Software Developer who spoke on “Role of Coding in combating climate and improving eco-friendly environment” made a Clarion call for home developers in the country.
He said” we need home developers in the country, if WhatsApp, Facebook or even Twitter should shut down , the suicide rate in Africa will increase. Africa has no home developers to build a similar software”.

Also, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), UNIZIK, spoke on ” Coding practices for wellness and health care accessibility role”. He lectured the students on how coding can be used to enhance health care delivery.
In the sane vein, Dr. Chisom Nri, a Pediatrician and a Software Developer stated that Nigeria is a resource limited country and so urged the students to make do with the little they see.
She foresaw the medical field going online with physical folders going into extinction and electrical data gathering folder taking over.

In a post interview with the participants, Miss Favour Okolo said the tech summit was an awesome experience. In her words ” I learnt that we shouldn’t rely on technology for everything. I was also motivated to ask questions around about my area of interest”.
Confidence Efe another participants described the summit as an amazing one whilst urging students to attend more of such summit. He urged the organizers to engage more in publicity and also hold workshops to teach students about Coding.

Jason Moboti and Frederick Chinze both described the summit as entertaining and educational and urged the organizers to work on planning more of such programmes.