FIVE YEARS DIGITEST REPORT - WordPress.com

7, Usman Sarki Crescent (Foursquare House)

Opposite Golden Astoria Hotel,

By Arab Contractors,

Utako, Abuja, Nigeria

Phone no: +234-8077823307/8

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.digital peers.org

REPORT OF

DIGITEST NIGERIA

Stella Maris College Life-Camp, Abuja

August 16 – 19, 2009

and

4th DIGITEST ABROAD

August 12 – 22, 2009

Multimedia University Cyberjaya, Malaysia

THEME: RAISING IT CHAMPIONS FOR 2020

2 Digitest 2009: Raising IT Champions for 2020

CONTENT

Overview .............................................................................................................................................................................. 3

Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................................... 4

DIGITEST IN PERSPECTIVE.................................................................................................................................................. 5

Digitest Abroad .................................................................................................................................................................. 6

DIGITEST NIGERIA .............................................................................................................................................................. 7

Planning ................................................................................................................................................................................ 7

Camp Event .......................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Pre-event Meeting: ............................................................................................................................................................... 8

Movements and Mobilization: .............................................................................................................................................. 8

Registration and Setting In: ................................................................................................................................................... 8

Special Events: ....................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Facilitators Dinner ............................................................................................................................................................... 10

The Statistics ..................................................................................................................................................................... 12

Challenges & Observations of 2009 ............................................................................................................................... 14

Achievements .................................................................................................................................................................... 15

Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................................................... 16

Government Institutions ..................................................................................................................................................... 16

Private Sector ...................................................................................................................................................................... 16

Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................................................... 17


Overview

A report on the 10th DIGITEST program organized by Digital Peers International, from the

12th of August to the 29th of August 2009. DIGITEST celebrated her 10th Anniversary.

DIGITEST is divided into two editions:

DIGITEST ABROAD

DIGITEST NIGERIA

DIGITEST ABROAD was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia between the 12th and 23rd of August,

2009 while DIGITEST NIGERIA was held in Stella Maris College, Life Camp, Abuja between

the 17th to 29th of August, 2009, theme; RAISING IT CHAMPIONS FOR 2020.

This report gives an overview of the planning and event of 10th DIGITEST program. Also

highlights its challenges and makes recommendation to improve on preparation and

implementation for future DIGITEST programs.


Introduction

Digital Peers International (DPI) is an IT-based training non-governmental organization

commissioned to empower women and children in the acquisition of Information

Technology skills for the purpose of IT development for Nigeria’s future leaders.

The vision of DIGITEST camp is

To generate and develop ICT capacity in young people

To contribute to develop and to eradicate poverty through ICT

To promote knowledge based summer camps for youths

To re-focus youthful energy to gainful activities

Digitest began in 2000. It was born out of a commitment by the parent organization Digital

Peers International (DPI) to equip children between 8 and 18 with basic Information

Technology (IT) skills. Since inception in 2000, DIGITEST has continued to create avenue

for training young people basic IT skills, social values of integrity, respect for life, dignity

in labour, discipline and appreciation of the various Nigerian cultures.

From the first edition of DIGITEST which took place between August 18th and 24th, 2000 at

the Federal Government Academy, Suleja with just 70 participants from 18 secondary

schools across the federation DIGITEST has grown to an IT camp of over 500 participants

from across Nigeria.

Today, DIGITEST has facilitated a steady increase in the growth of IT capacity among

youths and children. Digitest expanded its IT training from basic computer appreciation to

web-designs and at this year’s 10th DIGITEST the participants got a feel of the animation

world.


DIGITEST IN PERSPECTIVE

Year Edition Theme Location Attendees

2000 1st SULEJA 70

2001 2nd PYAKASSA-ABUJA 41

2002 3rd ABUJA 142

2003 4th Nipping HIV/AIDS in the bud using IT

ABUJA 81

2004 5th NIGERIA FUTURE WITHOUT CORRUPTION:IT APPROACH

OGUN STATE-ABEOKUTA

247

2005 6th ACHIEVING FOOD SECURITY USING IT

JIGAWA STATE

286

2006 7th Perfecting ICT with ICT CALABA & OBUDU

344

2007 8th Excellence Governance Through E-Government

ABUJA 684

2008 e-BUSINESS NO BARRIERS NO Boundaries

LAGOS STATE

2009 RAISING IT CHAMPIONS FOR 2001

ABUJA 355

From Left to Right: Finalist in Digitest 2009 Competition, a Facilitator teaching 2 digitest participants and Stella Maris College the View for Digitest 2009


Digitest Abroad FACTS

DATE 12th - 23rd of August, 2009

LOCATION Malaysia Through Dubai

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS 11

HEAD OF GROUP Digitest National Coordinator: Mrs. Ibukun Odusote

Training Centre Multimedia University

Course 3D Max

Digitest Abroad group of 11 left Nigeria for Malaysia on the 12 of August. They were

led by Digitest National Co-ordinator.

The four days training with the Multimedia University (MMU) Cnergy focused on 3Ds

Max. 3ds Max is a 3D modeling, animation and rendering program from the Media and

Entertainment division of Autodesk, Inc. It is widely used in the areas of interactive games,

visual effects for movies and industrial design models. The software allows one create 2D

shapes that become the cross sections of the 3D models. Participants were taught to use

the software to develop animated videos. The

methodology applied by the resource persons includes a

combination of theoretical, practical and visual

methods. By the end of the four days, participants were

tasked with a project in which they were required to

develop an animated video. Certificates of participation

were issued at the end of the training.

Besides, Digitest Abroad participants also enjoyed

a relaxing and entertaining weekend at Genting

Highlands. Genting Highlands is located on one of the highest highlands in Malaysia. It an

entertainment facility built to accommodate over 6 000 people accessible by cable cars

which reminded most of the participants of Digitest experience at the Ogudu Cattle Ranch

in Cross River Sate, Nigeria during the 7th Digitest (2006). The group also visited Batu

Caves, where a prominent Indian temple is located, the Palace of the Emir, the Malaysian

war memorial and a Chocolate factory.

Shopping in Malaysia after 3D Max Classes was one of the highlights of the trip and the two

days shopping in Dubai.

Digitest Participants at the Cnergy Multimedia Centre

From Left to Right: Cable cars to the top of Genting Highlands, A Digitest Participants at Batu Caves making friends with the snakes, The Digitest Group at the Emir's Palace and Digitest Tour Guide at The War Memorial


DIGITEST NIGERIA FACTS

Date 16-19th August, 2009

Location Stella Maris College Life Camp, Abuja

Number of Participants 355

Camp Commandant Mr. Adenmosun

Planning

Planning for the 10th DIGITEST started on the 13th of June 2009. The venue was at DPI

office, 7 Usman Sarki, Crescent, Four square House Utako, Abuja.

This was followed by another one which a committee to inspected the venue at, Stella

Maris College, the venue of the event where final conclusions on the program were

reached.

Further, towards the preparation for DIGITEST 2009 staff of Digital Peers International and

a few ex-participants paid a courtesy visit to the Honorable Minister of Science and

Technology Dr. A.B Zaku, on the 22nd of July, 2009 and the Honorable Minister of

Information and Communication, Prof. Dora Akunyili on Tuesday 28th July, 2009 to inform

them about the upcoming DIGITEST 2009 & seek their support.

Again, the team paid a courtesy call to the Hon. Minister of State for Education, Hajia

Aishat Dukku on Tuesday 11th of August 2009 to brief her about the program and to invite

her to declare the event open

Finally, on the 13th August 2009, Galaxy backbone plc officially handed over 20 personal

computers and a VSAT-based internet connectivity to Digital Peers International for the

duration of the program as its contribution towards the program.


Camp Event

The camp activities for DIGITEST Nigeria are as followings:

1. Pre-event meeting

2. Movements and Passages:

3. Registration & Setting In

4. Team Work

5. Special Events -Dinner with Charms, Rebranding Roadshow, The Opening ceremony,

The Closing ceremony, The competition

6. Post-mortem dinner

Pre-event Meeting: A mandatory pre-event meeting was held on Friday 14th of August 2009 with the Executive

Secretary and all the actors in the program such as the facilitators, volunteers, Stella Maris

staff and DPI staff. It was essentially to discuss all the activities in preparation to the

event. About 80 participants were present.

Movements and Mobilization:

Buses were made available at the International Airport and Utako bus Terminus to receive

participants from all over Nigeria and took them to the camp venue, Stella Maris College in

Life camp for registration.

Registration and Settling In:

Registration for digitest was in two folds. The first was online which intending participants

registered through our website with payments to the bank. The second phase of

registration was at DIGITEST camp, where each participant on camp was expected to give

their detailed particulars. On registration participants were handed, t-shirts, writing

materials and bags. This process grouped participants into junior and senior teams, sports,

hostels, and competition teams.

Special Events:

1. Opening Ceremony: The opening ceremony commenced at 11.00 am on the 17th

August, 2009. Dr. Uwem Asomugha, the representative of the Honorable Minister of

State for Education Hajiya Asihat Dukku declared the ceremony opened. Other

dignitaries came from the Ministry of Education, FCT education Secretariat, officials

from Galaxy Backbone Plc, Federal Ministry of Information and Communications.


Parents and guardians also graced the occasion. A group photograph was thereafter

taken.

2. Dinner with Chams: Management team from Chams Plc led by Mr. Shola Bickersteth,

the General Manager Chams City and Mr. Olamide Kehinde, the Head of Chams City

Abuja had dinner with the participants on Tuesday the 18th of August 2009. The team

interacted with the participants and let them into the activities of Chams City. Four

digitest participants where there after recognized as innovators and pledged charm city

management’s support to achieve their ICT quest.

3. Rebranding Road Show: On Saturday the 22nd Of August digitest rebranding roadshow

took place. All Digitest participants took to the streets of Abuja city in fifteen buses.

Prof. Dora Akunyili, the Hon. Minister of Information and Communication flag-off the

road show and inaugurated the Digitest Rebranding Club through her representative

Lady Nancy Oghenekaro a director from her ministry. The show took excited

participants through Utako to the Central Mosque area, Yar’dua Center, a tour of Chams

City which exposed them to innovative technology solutions, through the Secretariat to

AIT and ASO Radio. The millennium park Arena was not left out of the roadshow as

participants shared fun and lunch before retiring to Stella Maris the take-off point.

4. The COMPETITION: Participants were divided into 52 senior and juniors groups of

four. Each group where given guidelines to developing a website with a touch of all

applications they were initially exposed to. The duration of the project completion was

three days commencing on Tuesday 25th of August

2009.

The first stage of the competition took

approximately a day to complete and at the end

10 finalist were picked from the junior and senior

teams.

The finalist were allowed time to fine-tune their

website project presentation before the final

stage of the competition where they re-

presented the website to the panel of Judges.

The panel then picked the top 4 from the junior

and senior teams and 3 from the teachers’ team.

Winners will therefore emerge as follows;

Digitest Participants presenting their projects during the Competiton


Position Prizes

Senior Junior Teachers

First Place Laptop Desktop Desktop

Second Place Desktop Digital camera DVD player

Third Place Digital camera Computer game Digital camera

Fourth Place Computer game Flash drive

The Closing Ceremony: Midnight crew and the finals of Mr. & Miss DIGITEST marked the

closing ceremony night. It was a wonderful praise and cultural night which was witnessed

by the following dignitaries amongst others guests: Mrs. Rose Usman Director of Policy and

implementation of FCT. Mr. Ibezim CE; Deputy Director Engr. Hamzat; Management Team

from Chams Plc; Regional Manager of Omatek Computers, MRS. Ibukun Spiff; Executive

Director of Galaxy Backbone Mr. Yusuff Kazuare; External Relations Manager Galaxy

Backbone PLC, Mr. Franklin Ginger Eka; Officials from Ministry of Information and

Communication; Officials from the Federal Ministry of Education; Officials from FCT

Secondary Education Board; Representatives of Stella

Maris Propertress, Princess Ugwu; Principal of

Federal government girls College Abaji

The National Coordinator gave an emotional closing

speech on the survival of Digitest and likelihood of

Digitest 2010 being very slim. She stated that

without more financial support Digitest 2010 will not

be a reality.

Facilitators Dinner

On Saturday 29th of August, the program was

wrapped up with a dinner organized by the National

Coordinator for the facilitators and volunteers of

Digitest 2009. The purpose was to review the

program.

The gathering resolved that the challenges

identified, chief of which was the support / funding

will not defer the organizers and with determined

efforts and early preparation next DIGITEST will be more exciting.

A Fulani girl displaying our rich cultural heritage during the Cultural Night


Facilitators and participants at the closing ceremony of Digitest 2009

Digitest National Coordinator, surrounded by other dignitaries cutting the cake to mark the 10

th Digitest during the D2009 closing

ceremonies.

Digitest Kids at Stella Maris lifting the World


The Statistics

Gender Distribution

Number of people by department

Welfare/Participants Ratio

State Distribution

School Distribution

Computer-to-Participants Ratio

Gender Distribution: The gender distribution table shows the no of participants,

volunteers, teachers and support staff that where male and female and the total

number of male and female present on the camp.

Participants Volunteers Teachers Support Staff Total

Male 150 42 15 12 219

Female 189 8 5 6 208

339 50 20 18 427

Volunteers per Department: The table below shows the number of volunteers per

department.

Department No. of Volunteers

Administration 10

Logistics 3

Programs 5

Technical 17

Welfare 16

TOTAL 51


State Distribution Table: The state distribution table shows the number of

participants from each state of the federation.

State No. participants

Ebonyi 5

Edo 5

Ekiti 12

Enugu 3

F.C.T (Abuja) 6

Gombe 1

Imo 13

Jigawa 3

Kaduna 6

Kano 8

Katsina 9

Kebbi 2

Kogi 13

Kwara 6

Lagos 7

Nassarawa 10

Niger 26

Ogun 23

Ondo 12

Osun 9

Oyo 11

Plateau 14

Rivers 7

Taraba 3

Zamfara 1

The states not list above where not represented on camp.

Computer–to-participants Ratio: 1:4


Challenges

Inadequate funds and sponsorship was a major challenge which confronted the

management of DPI in organizing DIGITEST 2009.

The above reason may probably be responsible for the Digitest National

Coordinator’s full assertion during the closing ceremonies that D2009 may be the

last Digitest. Inspite of this however, it is expected that with early planning, and the

examination of other funding options will sustain the vision of the founding fathers

of DIGITEST and attain what it was set to achieve.


Achievements

It is worthy of note that inspite of the serious challenges which confronted us during this

year’s event, in terms of adequate funding and logistics support the planning committee

was able to forge ahead and organize the two editions of Malaysia/Dubai (Abroad) and

Digitest Nigeria.

A lot of funds were expended on planning for the Abroad version. For example China was

the initial target for the trip. It was a herculean task to procure its visa. The last minute

switch to Malaysia based on our commitment to our participants caused a lot of stress for

the organizers. As if that was not enough, Sokoto delegate who had been booked for the

journey with their accommodation and tickets purchased, failed to join the team. This had

an untold financial implication on us. Here a lesson has been learnt.

Finally, no thanks to the downturn in the global economy which has spillover effects on our

sponsors both from the private and public sector.

The implication of this is that the DPI management has to begin to map out alternative

strategies to launch out for funds to achieve its mission of provision of sustained ICT

development, amongst our youth and children.

Despite, this challenges our efforts were reciprocated by the Federal ministry of

Information and Communication as a Rebranding ambassador. This we have been able to

demonstrate through our activities such as the Roadshow in support of Rebranding and the

launching of Rebranding Club amongst our participants who come from all over the

country.


Acknowledgements

DIGITEST 2009 could not have been such a resounding success if distinguished Nigerians in

charge of public organizations, the organized private sector and certain highly committed

individuals were not readily available to give full support to the programme.

The individuals include the very committed young men and women who serve

as selfless volunteers and facilitators as well as organizations and individuals

that contributed financially.

Worthy of note are the following:

Government Institutions

Federal Ministry of Information and Communication

Ministry of State for Education

Nigerian Television Authority

Nigeria Communications Commission

National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)

Galaxy Backbone PIC

Private Sector

Zenith Bank PLC

African Independent Television (AIT)

Omatek Computers

Charms

DEE-IY Limited


Conclusion

DIGITEST 2009 has come to an end, despite the challenges the program was a

success. The 10th Digitest was once again able to bare the enormous responsibility for

being IT training ground to Nigerian youths for national development.

Digitest has contributed its quarter this year towards Raising IT Champions for 2020.

Although this is a continuous activity that the Digitest Team is always honored to perform,

the need for continuous development in the area of IT capacity building is constantly being

threatened by limited financial resources. With the economic crisis, sponsors cautious

spending has taken its toll on Digitest activities. IT capacity building in Nigeria is a far cry

from where it should be, reduced investments in Nigeria’s IT investment in form of

capacity building will in the long run yield a drastic effect on Nigeria as a whole.

If Nigerians truly want to be one of the world’s desirable nations by 2020 there is

need for a greater investment and sacrifice in the area of IT development in form of

capacity building. The economic crisis is not a time to cut down in areas of ICT but a time

to increase momentum in terms of the support given to organizations doing whatever is

humanly possible to ensure Nigeria becomes one of the world’s most desirable nations by

2020 through IT capacity building.

It is against this background that we make a clarion call for the Nigerian Government,

individuals, parents and indeed all the stakeholders in Nigeria project, that we cannot

afford to sleep bye and watch, let us vise up and save Nigeria through our support of

organizations such as ours to take Nigeria to its goal of ambition.

Thank you.

REPORT

of

DIGITEST Nigeria 2010

and

5th DIGITEST Abroad

Multimedia University Cyberjaya, Malaysia

August 12 – 22, 2009

Stella Maris College Life-Camp, Abuja

August 16 – 29, 2009

2 | Digitest 2009: Raising IT Champions for 2020

Contents

S/N Title Page No.

Overview 1

Introduction 4

2.1 Digitest in Perspective 5

Digitest 2009 Abroad 6

Digitest 2009 Nigeria 7

Planning 7

Pre-event Meeting: 8

Movement and Mobilization: 8

Registration and Settling In: 8

Special Events: 8

Challenges 14

Achievements 15

Acknowledgements 16

Government Institutions 16

Private Sector & Civil Society 16

Conclusion 17


1.0 Overview

A report of the 10th Digitest program organized by Digital Peers International, from the 12th of

August to the 29th of August 2009.

Digitest 2009 was divided into two editions:

DIGITEST Abroad

DIGITEST Nigeria

Digitest Abroad was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia between the 12th and 23rd of August, 2009,

while Digitest Nigeria took place in Stella Maris College, Life Camp, Abuja between the 17th to

29th of August, 2009, with the theme: Raising IT Champions For 2020

This report gives an overview of the planning and events during the 10th Digitest program. It

also highlights its challenges and makes recommendations to improve on preparation and

implementation for future Digitest programs.


2.0 Introduction

Digital Peers International (DPI) is an Information Technology (IT) based Non-Governmental

Organization commissioned to empower women and children in the acquisition of IT skills for

the purpose of IT development for National development.

The vision of Digitest camp is to:

Generate and develop ICT capacity in young people

Contribute to development and eradicate poverty through IT

Promote knowledge based summer camps for youths

Re-focus youthful energy to gainful activities

Digitest began in 2000. It was born out of a commitment by the parent organization Digital

Peers International (DPI), to equip children between ages 8 and 18 with basic Information

Technology (IT) skills. Since inception in 2000, Digitest has continued to create an avenue to

train young people in the basic IT skills, social values of integrity, respect for life, dignity in

labour, discipline and appreciation of the various Nigerian cultures.

From the first edition of Digitest which took place between August 18th and 24th 2000, at the

Federal Government Academy, Suleja, with just 70 participants from 18 secondary schools

across the federation, Digitest has grown to an IT camp of over 500 participants from across

Nigeria.

Today, Digitest has facilitated a steady increase in the growth of IT capacity among youths

and children. Digitest expanded its IT training from basic computer appreciation to web-

designs and at this year’s 10th Digitest, the participants got a feel of the animation world.


2.1 Digitest in Perspective

Year Edition Date Theme Location Attendees

2000 1st Suleja, Niger state

70

2001 2nd Pyakassa-Abuja

41

2002 3rd Team Building F Abuja 142

2003 4th Nipping HIV/AIDS in the bud using IT

Abuja 81

2004 5th Nigeria’s future without corruption: IT approach

Ogun State-Abeokuta

247

2005 6th Achieving food security Using IT Jigawa State

286

2006 7th Perfecting ICT with ICT Calaba & Obudu

344

2007 8th Excellence Governance Through E-Government

Abuja 684

2008 9th E-Business: No barriers, No Boundaries

Lagos State 415

2009 10th Raising IT champions for 2020 Abuja 355

From Left to Right: Finalists in Digitest 2009 Competition, a Facilitator with 2 participants and Stella Maris College Hall


2.2 Digitest 2009 Abroad

FACTS

DATE 12th - 23rd of August, 2009

LOCATION Malaysia Through Dubai

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS 11

HEAD OF GROUP Digitest National Coordinator: Mrs. Ibukun Odusote

Training Centre Multimedia University

Course 3D Max

Digitest Abroad group of 11 left Nigeria for Malaysia on the 12th of August, 2009

The four days’ training with the Multimedia University (MMU) Cnergy, focused on 3Ds Max. 3Ds

Max is a 3 dimensional modeling, animation and rendering program from the Media and

Entertainment division of Autodesk, Inc. It is widely used in the areas of interactive games,

visual effects for movies and industrial design models. Participants were taught to use the

software to develop animated videos. The methodology applied by the resource persons

included a combination of theoretical, practical and visual

methods. By the end of the four days, participants were tasked

with a project requiring them to develop an animated video.

Certificates of participation were issued at the end of the

training.

Besides, Digitest Abroad participants also enjoyed a relaxing and

entertaining weekend at Genting Highlands. Genting Highlands is located on one of the highest

highlands in Malaysia. It is an entertainment facility built to accommodate over 6 000 people

accessible by cable cars which reminded most of the participants of Digitest experience at the

Ogudu Cattle Ranch in Cross River Sate, Nigeria during the 7th Digitest (2006). The group also

visited Batu Caves, where a prominent Indian temple is located, the Palace of the Emir, the

Malaysian war memorial and a Chocolate factory.

Shopping in Malaysia after 3D Max Classes was one of the highlights of the trip and the two

days’ shopping in Dubai.

Digitest Participants at the Cnergy Multimedia Centre

From Left to Right: Cable cars to the top of Genting Highlands, Participants at Batu Caves making friends with the

snakes, Digitest Group at the Emir's Palace and a Tour Guide at The War Memorial

Site


2.3 Digitest 2009 Nigeria

FACTS

Date 16th -19th August, 2009

Location Stella Maris College Life Camp, Abuja

Number of Participants 355

Camp Commandant Mr. Adenmosun

Planning

Planning for the 10th Digitest started with a meeting held on the 13th of June 2009, at DPI

office: No. 7 Usman Sarki, Crescent, Four square House, Utako, Abuja.

This was followed by another meeting during which the proposed venue for the event, Stella

Maris College, Life Camp, Abuja, was inspected. Also at this meeting, final conclusions on the

program were reached.

Further towards the preparation for Digitest 2009, the staff of Digital Peers International (DPI)

led by its Executive Secretary Mr. Olubodun F. O. and a few ex-participants paid a courtesy

visit to the Honorable Minister of Science and Technology Dr. A.B Zaku, on the 22nd of July,

2009 and the Honorable Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili on

Tuesday 28th July, 2009, to inform them about the upcoming Digitest 2009 and seek their

support.

Again, the team paid a courtesy call to the Hon. Minister of State for Education, Hajia Aishat

Dukku on Tuesday 11th of August, 2009, to give her a briefing about the program and to invite

her to open the event.

Finally, on the 13th August 2009, Galaxy backbone plc officially handed over 20 personal

computers and a VSAT-based internet connection to Digital Peers International (DPI) for the

duration of the program as its contribution towards the project.


Camp Event

The camp activities for Digitest Nigeria were as follows:

1. Pre-event meeting

2. Movements and Passages:

3. Registration & Setting In

4. Team Work

5. Special Events - Dinner with Charms, Rebranding Road Show, The Opening ceremony,

The Closing ceremony, The competition

6. Facilitators dinner

Pre-event Meeting:

A mandatory pre-event meeting was held on Friday 14th of August, 2009 with the Executive

Secretary and all the actors in the program such as the facilitators, volunteers, Stella Maris

staff and DPI staff. It was essentially to discuss all the activities in preparation for the event.

About eighty participants were present including the Principal of Stella Maris College Lady

Uche Anyaene.

Movement and Mobilization:

Buses were made available at the International Airport and Utako bus Terminus to receive

participants from all over Nigeria and took them to the camp venue, Stella Maris College in

Life camp Abuja for registration.

Registration and Settling In:

Registration for digitest was in two folds. The first was online where participants registered

through our website with payments to the bank. The second phase of registration was at

Digitest camp, where each participant on camp was expected to give their detailed

particulars. On registration, participants were handed, t-shirts, writing materials and bags.

This process grouped participants into junior and senior teams, sports, hostels, and

competition teams.

Special Events:

1. Opening Ceremony: The opening ceremony commenced at 11.00 am on the 17th August,

2009. Dr. Uwem Asomugha, the representative of the Honorable Minister of State for

Education Hajiya Asihat Dukku declared the ceremony opened. Other dignitaries came

from the Ministry of Education, FCT Education Secretariat, Galaxy Backbone Plc, and the

Federal Ministry of Information and Communications. Parents and guardians also graced the

occasion. A group photograph was thereafter taken with the Minister’s Representative.


2. Dinner with Chams Plc: The Management team from Chams Plc. led by Mr. Shola

Bickersteth, the General Manager Chams City and Mr. Olamide Kehinde, the Head of Chams

City Abuja had dinner with the participants on Tuesday the 18th of August 2009. The team

interacted with the participants and let them into the activities of Chams City. Four

digitest participants were thereafter recognized as innovators and pledged Charm City

Management’s support to achieve their ICT quest.

3. Rebranding Road Show: On Saturday the 22nd Of August digitest rebranding road show

took place. All Digitest participants took to the streets of Abuja city in fifteen buses. Prof.

Dora Akunyili, the Hon. Minister of Information and Communication flagged-off the road

show and inaugurated the Digitest Rebranding Club through her Representative, Lady

Nancy Oghenekaro a Director from her Ministry. The show took excited participants

through Utako to the Central Mosque area, Yar’dua Center, a tour of Chams City which

exposed them to innovative technology solutions, through the Secretariat to Aso Radio.

The millennium park Arena was not left out of the road show as participants shared fun

and lunch before retiring to Stella Maris the take-off point.

4. The COMPETITION: Participants were divided into fifty two senior and thirty three juniors

groups of four members each. Each group were handed guidelines to develop a website

with a touch of all the applications they had been exposed to. The duration of the project

completion was three days commencing on Tuesday 25th of August 2009.

TEAMS Senior Junior Teachers

POSITION PRIZES WINNER PRIZES WINNER PRIZES

WINNER

1st Laptop Team16 Desktop Team11 Laptop

2nd Desktop Team15 Digital camera Team 2 Desktop

3rd Digital camera Team41 Computer game Team 8

Digital camera

4th Computer

game Team42 Flash drive Team19

5th Team43 Team16


The first stage took approximately a day to

complete. At the end, ten finalists were picked

from the junior and senior teams.

The finalists were allowed time to fine-tune their

project before the final presentation to the panel

of Judges who then picked the top four from the

junior and senior teams, and three from the

teachers’ team. Winners therefore emerged as

follows:

5. The Closing Ceremony: Performance by

Midnight Crew and the finals of Mr. & Miss

Digitest competition marked the fun filled

closing ceremony night. It was a wonderful

praise and cultural night which was witnessed

by the following dignitaries amongst others:

Mrs. Rose Umana, Director of Policy and

implementation of FCT Education Secretariat

represented by Mr. Ibezim C .E ; Director, FCT

Agency for Science and Technology

Represented by Engr. Hamzat; Management

Team from Chams Plc; Regional Manager of

Omatek Computers, Mrs. Ibukun Spiff;

Executive Director of Galaxy Backbone Plc, Mr.

Yusuff Kazuare; External Relations Manager of

Galaxy Backbone PLC, Mr. Franklin Ginger

Ekeh; Officials from Ministry of Information and Communications; the Federal Ministry of

Education; FCT Secondary Education Board; Representative of Stella Maris College

Proprietress; and Principal of Federal government girls College Abaji.

Giving her emotion laden closing remarks, the National Coordinator was of the opinion that

DIGITEST 2009 may be the last, given the financial challenges faced by the organizers

which almost paralyzed the program.

Digitest Participants presenting their projects during the Competiton

A Fulani girl displaying our rich cultural heritage during the Cultural Night


6. The Facilitators Dinner: On Saturday 29th of August 2009, the program was wrapped up

with a dinner organized by the National Coordinator for the facilitators and volunteers of

Digitest 2009 as a post mortem one. The purpose was to review the program and proffer

solutions.

The gathering resolved that the challenges identified, chief of which was the

support/funding, will not deter the organizers but with determined efforts and early

preparation, next Digitest will be more exciting and successful.

The Statistics

Gender Distribution

Number of people by department

State Distribution

Gender Distribution: The gender distribution table shows the number of participants,

volunteers, teachers and support staff present in the camp divided as male and female.

Participants Volunteers Teachers Support Staff Total

Male 150 42 15 12 219

Female 189 8 5 6 208

Total 339 50 20 18 427

Facilitators and participants at the closing ceremony of Digitest 2009


Volunteers per Department: The table below shows the number of volunteers per

department.


Administration 10

Logistics 3

Programs 5

Technical 17

Welfare 16

TOTAL 51


State Distribution Table: The state distribution table shows the number of participants from

each state of the federation.

State No. of participants

Ebonyi 9

Edo 9

Ekiti 23

Enugu 4

F.C.T (Abuja) 7

Gombe 9

Imo 24

Jigawa 4

Kaduna 7

Kano 10

Katsina 18

Kebbi 9

Kogi 24

Kwara 7

Lagos 8

Nassarawa 19

Niger 37

Ogun 26

Ondo 14

Osun 13

Oyo 21

Plateau 18

Rivers 8

Taraba 6

Zamfara 5

TOTAL 339


Challenges

Inadequate funds and sponsorship was a major challenge which confronted the management of

DPI in organizing DIGITEST 2009.

The above reason may be responsible for the Digitest National Coordinator’s assertion during

the closing ceremonies that Digitest 2009 may be the last Digitest. In spite of this however, it

is expected that with early planning and examination of other funding options the vision of

the founding fathers of DIGITEST will be sustained.


Achievements

It is worthy of note that inspite of the serious challenges which confronted us during this

year’s event, in terms of inadequate funding and logistics support, the planning committee

was able to forge ahead and organize the two editions of Digitest 2009.

A lot of funds were expended on planning the abroad version. For example, China was the

initial target for the trip. It was a herculean task procuring its entry visas. The last minute

switch to Malaysia based on our commitment to our participants caused a lot of stress for the

organizers. As if that was not enough, Sokoto delegate who had been booked for the journey

with their accommodation and tickets purchased with DPI funds, failed to join the team. This

had untold financial implications on the group. Here a lesson has been learnt.

Finally, no thanks to the downturn of the global economy which had a spillover effect on our

sponsors both from the private and public sectors.

The implication of this is that the DPI management has to begin to map out alternative

strategies to launch out for funds to achieve its mission of provision of sustained ICT

development, amongst the youth and children of Nigeria both here and in Diaspora.

Despite these challenges, our efforts were reciprocated by the Federal Ministry of Information

and Communications as a Rebranding ambassador via a letter dated 29th May 2009, signed by

the Hon. Minister of Information and Communications, Professor Dora Akunyili formally

endorsing Digitest as a CELEBRATED NIGERIAN BRAND. This we have been able to demonstrate

through our activities such as the Road show in support of Rebranding Nigeria Campaign and

the launching of Rebranding Clubs amongst our participants who come from all over the

country. Our products i.e. the youths and children are all over the country in the last ten

years in different endeavors of life making positive impact. This is our consolation and we are

not tired to strive to do more.


Acknowledgements

No words can be enough to express our profound acknowledgement firstly, to God Almighty

Father who has made it possible for us to witness yet another Digitest year inspite of all its

challenges. Besides, mention must also be made on the unflinching support of eminent

Nigerians from private and public institutions who have demonstrated their generosity morally

and financially.

Finally, this acknowledgement will be void without acknowledging our greater tomorrow

Champions i.e. facilitators, volunteers and the participants who have released themselves to

this national assignment. We thank you all.

Worthy of note are the following:


Federal Ministry of Information and Communications

Federal Ministry of Education

Nigerian Television Authority (NTA)

Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC)

National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)

Galaxy Backbone PLC

National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)

Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN)

Private Sector & Civil Society

Zenith Bank PLC

Omatek Computers

African Independent Television (AIT)

Chams PLC

DEE-IY Limited

Teledom

Interra Networks

Nigeria Computer Society


Conclusion

All said and done, Digitest 2009 has been concluded. Inspite of its challenges, the program

was a success. The 10th Digitest again was able to bare the enormous responsibility for being

an IT training ground to Nigerian youths for national development.

Digitest has contributed its quota this year as always towards Raising IT Champions for 2020.

This is a continuous activity that the team is always honored to perform. The need for

continuous development in the area of IT capacity building can not be over emphasized, but

this is constantly being threatened by limited financial resources. With the economic crisis,

sponsors’ cautious spending has taken its toll on Digitest activities. IT capacity building in

Nigeria is a far cry from what it should be. Reduced investments in Nigeria’s IT development

in form of capacity building will in no distant time portend an untoward effect on Nigeria’s

entity as a whole.

If Nigeria truly wants to be one of the world’s desirable nations by 2020, there is a dire need

for a greater investment and sacrifice in the area of IT development in form of capacity

building. The economic crisis is not a time to cut down in areas of ICT but a time to increase

momentum in terms of the support given to organizations doing whatever is humanly possible,

to ensure Nigeria becomes one of the world’s most desirable nations by 2020 through IT

capacity building.

It is against this background that we make a clarion call to the Nigerian Government,

individuals, parents and indeed all the stakeholders in the Nigeria project, that, we cannot

afford to sleep bye and watch.

Let us rise up and save Nigeria through our support of organizations such as ours to take her

to its goal of ambition, so that the ‘labours of our Heroes past will not be in vain’.

Thank you.

Page | 1

DIGITEST 2011

REPORT Draft one

Page | 2

Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................. 3

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 4

PLANNING AND PRE-EVENT MEETINGS ........................................................................................................ 5

PUBLICITY ...................................................................................................................................................... 6

ONLINE AND ONSITE REGISTRATION ............................................................................................................ 7

OPENING CEREMONY ................................................................................................................................... 8

IT CONTENT ................................................................................................................................................... 9

COMPETITION ............................................................................................................................................... 9

NON IT CONTENT ........................................................................................................................................ 11

CLOSING CEREMONY .................................................................................................................................. 13

SIGHT-SEEING VISIT TO IDANRE HILLS ........................................................................................................ 14

VOLUNTEERS ............................................................................................................................................... 15

Post Volunteer Dinner ......................................................................................................................... 15

CHALLENGES ............................................................................................................................................... 16

RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................................................. 17

NEXT STEPS ................................................................................................................................................. 17

ACKNOWLEDGMENT ................................................................................................................................... 18

Page | 3

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Shortly after DIGITEST 2010 ended, stakeholders of Digital Peers International met to consider the

theme and venue for DIGITEST 2011. A number of factors affected the decision on host city for DIGITEST

2011. This included the Nigerian 2011 elections. Consideration was given for states that would not hold

Gubernatorial elections in 2011 because of the potential stability in such states, a number of states fell

into these category, Edo, Ondo, Osun and Anambra states amongst others. However, when the theme

for DIGITEST 2011 was agreed upon, Ondo State stood out as a state that was already involved in using

renewable energy for development. Therefore, it was concluded that DIGITEST 2011 with the theme

“Renewing Energy, Improving Power” will take place in Akure, the capital city of Ondo State.

Building on the success of the 2010 camp, the 12th edition of DIGITEST which held in Akure from August

20 – 30, 2011 attracted ….. participants from ------ states of the federation.

As usual, DIGITEST 2011 benefitted immensely from its traditional sponsors which included: Galaxy

Backbone Plc, Ecological Fund Office, AIT, Zenith Bank Plc and the National Information Technology

Development Agency (NITDA). Other sponsors also came on board, top amongst them is the Ondo State

Government through the Ministry of Education and the State Information Technology Agency (SITA).

Others included JK Consults, the National Energy Regulatory Commission (NERC) amongst others.

DIGITEST 2011, in a clear departure from the past deployed 80 laptop computers to train all the

participants and teachers on camp as against the traditional desktop computers that were used in

previous editions. Also 2 manuals (Cinema 4D and 3Dmax) were produced and given to all participants

to aid their post-camp self-learning and practice on the softwares learnt. A DIGITEST 2011 Magazine was

also produced on camp and launched.

The following report gives a detailed analysis of the entire camp including preparations for camp,

logistics, activities on camp and post camp activities. The report also makes succinct recommendations

to ensure that DIGITEST 2012 improves upon the new standards set at the DIGITEST 2011 camp.

Page | 4

INTRODUCTION

DIGITEST which started solely as an IT camp in 2000 with 70 participants now averages 400 participants

on an annual basis including teachers and volunteers. The camp has become a life-laboratory where

children not only learn about IT they are also exposed to applying their new knowledge to proffer

solutions to some of Nigeria’s biggest challenges. At the DIGITEST 2011 camp, participants

concerntrated on developing solutions to Nigeria’s power problems with a focus on renewable energy.

Furthermore, DIGITEST has become a platform for children to learn about careers through the career

classes, network with other children from diverse background, take part in various activities including

sports, debates, quizzes, and also contribute to the development of the camp magazine and newsletter.

DIGITEST has now become the largest IT based creative camp and competition for children and young

people and teachers in Africa, creating an enabling environment for children to learn IT and apply their

new found knowledge to tackle National and International Development priorities.

The objectives of DIGITEST are as follows:

To generate and develop ICT capabilities in young people

To contribute to development and poverty alleviation through ICT

To promote knowledge based summer camping for children and youth

To refocus youthful energies to gainful activities

DIGITEST has been organized in Nigeria since 2000 and internationally since 2006.

Page | 5

PLANNING AND PRE-EVENT MEETINGS

Planning for DIGITEST 2011 started immediately at the end of DIGITEST 2010. The DPI office

management in a meeting with the DIGITEST National Coordinator approved DIGITEST 2011 theme and

camp location. The meeting also looked at recommendations from the DIGITEST2010 report, including

key recommendations from the evaluation forms from DIGITEST2010 participants and also from the Post

DIGITEST Volunteers Meeting. The recommendations were incorporated into plans for DIGITEST2011.

Preparations continued with planning the DIGITEST2011 brochure and fliers, designing the brochures

and fliers and also redesigning the Digital Peers International website to include relevant information for

registration by intending participants.

By end of February 2011, the DIGITEST2011 brochures and fliers were ready and letters were dispatched

to all schools in the DIGITEST schools database.

In March 2011, a meeting of the Board of Trustees of Digital Peers International was held and among

several other things, the DPI Executive Director made a presentation to the board on preparations for

DIGITEST2011. The Board after the presentation decided to set up a committee to develop a Financial

strategy for DPI as part of efforts to shore up financing for DIGITEST and other DPI projects.

In June 2011, as a result of disruptions to the school calendar necessciated by 2011 General elections,

the date for DIGITEST2011 camp was shifted from August 7 – 19, 2011 to August 20 – 31, 2011.

As a result of the change in dates, a new brochure was developed and fresh letters sent to all schools to

inform them of the change in dates.

In July 2011, the management of Digital Peers International led by the

Digitest National Cordinator, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency, Dr. Olusegun

Mimiko, the Governor of Ondo State to present DIGITEST2011 and request for collaboration with the

state Government. Prior to the visit, a partnership proposal sent to the Ondo state Government through

the Governor’s office, the Ministry of Education and the state Information Technology Agency (SITA). At

the meeting, the Governor pledged that the Ondo state Government will be fully involved in supporting

DIGITEST2011 camp.

Page | 6

PUBLICITY

Publicity for DIGITEST 2011 was based on the following;

a. Letter to Schools: Letters were written to more than 700 schools on the DIGITEST Schools

database. The first set of letters were dispatched via post in March 2011, another set in June

2011 and a last set of letters in July 2011 following the change of dates for DIGITEST2011

b. TV Jingle: Building on the partnership with the African Independent Television (AIT) Network in

previous years, Digital Peers International renewed the partnership with AIT for DIGITEST2011

which ensured that the adverts were run on AIT between April and August 2011. Also, following

the Board of Trustees Meeting in March 2011, Channels through its Chairman re-stated its

commitment to supporting DIGITEST through airing of its jingle. The jingle was dispatched to

Channels and it was aired from April – August 2011. Furthermore, Biscom International also ran

the DIGITEST2011 at no-cost on its Bisi Olatilo show on Hitv between July and August 2011.

Despite several attempts, DPI was unable to secure the partnership of NTA to run its jingle on its

network. Furthermore, in the week of August 15 – 20, 2011, the Ondo State Government

through the Ministry of Education placed several Radio and Television adverts on the Ondo

State Broadcasting Corporation (OSRC)

c. Radio Adverts: for DIGITEST 2011, a couple of radio adverts were placed in 3 selected radio

stations across the Country. These included Radio Kano in Kano state, the Osun State

Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) radio in Osogbo, Osun State and the Grace FM in Lokoja, Kogi

state. The adverts were particularly targeted at neighbouring states to Ondo states to increase

awareness of the DIGITEST camp.

d. SMS: Bulk text messages were also sent to all DIGITEST phone contacts. These included phone

contacts of parents, participants, volunteers and other stakeholders that have been part of

DIGITEST over the last 11 years.

e. Participation at the Redemption Schools Exhibition: DPI participated in an exhibition organised

by the Redeem Christian Church of God. The exhibition brought together schools owned and

managed by the Redeemed Church across Nigeria. The exhibition afforded DPI the opportunity

to market DIGITEST to redeem schools nationwide.

f. Press Conference: The DIGITEST2011 press Conference was organised on Wednesday August 17,

2011. The press conference was an opportunity for Digital Peers International to present

DIGITEST2011 to the members of the press and the general public. Following, the press

conference was repeatedly aired on several stations including AIT and NTA. While some print

media featured the DIGITEST press release. This included Daily Trust amongst others.

Page | 7

ONLINE AND ONSITE REGISTRATION

Registration for DIGITEST2011 camp was done majorly online. It was observed that teachers and schools

greatly assisted to mobilise their students to participate in DIGITEST and therefore several schools made

bulk payments into DPI account and registered their students afterwards.

A couple of schools and same individuals however paid to the bank without registering online. DPI office

had to follow up with them via phone-calls and emails to capture accurate data of the registered

children to ensure that registration on camp was hassle free.

DIGITEST 2011 onsite camp registration commenced on Saturday August 20, 2011 at around 11.00am. A

couple of participants who arrived the previous day were among the first set to be registered.

Registration included verifying payments, allocation to rooms, camp houses and issuing of camp

materials (bags and t-shirts).

Page | 8

OPENING CEREMONY

The DIGITEST2010 opening ceremony was held at the main hall of St. Peters Unity secondary School. The

opening ceremony kicked off with the Nigerian National Anthem followed by the DIGITEST anthem. The

opening ceremony had as special guest representatives of the Ondo state Government through the

Ministry of Education led by Mrs. Kolawole the Permanent Secretary and several Directors of the

Ministry of Education.

In her remarks at the opening ceremony, Mrs. Nike Orederu, DIGITEST2011 Camp commandant

welcomed all guests, participants and volunteers to the DIGITEST camp. For those who had been part of

DIGITEST in the past, she reminded them that DIGITEST is a camp that is focused on developing not only

the IT skills of children but also their morals and attitudes. She enjoined new participants to learn IT and

also feel free to ask any questions if there were areas they did not understand in any of the lectures. She

also mentioned that the reasons why volunteers were on camp was to make their camping experience a

memorable one and so they can approach any of the volunteers including herself in case they faced any

difficulty or challenge.

In her welcome Address, the DIGITEST National Coordinator, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote who was represented

at the occasion by Miss Motilola Orederu welcomed all participants to the largest gathering of IT savvy

children and young people on the African continent. She went down the memory lane to 2000 when

DIGITEST started with 70 participants and have now grown to average 400 participants annually. She

thanked the Ondo state Government for their support in co-hosting the camp with Digital Peers

International and finally reminded the participants of their primary responsibility on camp; learning new

IT skills.

While declaring the camp open, Mrs. Kolawole, the Permanent Secretary, Ondo state Ministry of

education enjoined the participants to take advantage of the unique opportunity the camp presents to

them. ‘Several children crave for this kind of opportunity, but never get them, this therefore makes you

a set of privileged children in the Nigerian society’ she remarked. She promised that the Ondo state

Government will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the DIGITEST2011 camp experience is long

remembered even after the camp ends. She announced that the Ondo state Government amongst other

things, has committed to sponsoring the First prize position in all categories (i-pad tablets).

The opening ceremony ended at 2.30pm with light refreshments.

Page | 9

IT CONTENT

Building on progress made from last year at the DIGITEST2010 camp, cinema4D and 3DMax software

were re-introduced to the participants as follows:

1 Senior Teams 3DMax

2 Junior Teams Cinema4D

3 Teachers Cinema4D

Damilola Ade, the DPI programs Executive led the development of 2 manuals, one each for Cinema4D

and 3Dmax respectively. However, due to logistic challenges, the manuals arrived late to camp and

instead of being used for the lectures, they were distributed to all participants as reference materials to

guide them in their self-learning and post-camp practice.

COMPETITION

All participants on camp were divided into teams of 4 each for the competitions. The teams sat together

during the training and used one computer system each for both their training and their project work. In

all, there were 16 competing junior teams, 33 senior teams and 9 Teacher teams.

The participants were taught by seasoned volunteers and the children had hands-on practise as the

lectures were delivered. At the end of the lectures, participants were provided with tips and given

guidelines on how the competition would be graded.

The DIGITEST2011 competition started on Wednesday August 24, 2011 and lasted till Friday August 26,

2011. A few teams who had issues with their computer systems were given a bit more time on Saturday

August 27, 2011 to complete their work. Presentation and first round evaluation started on Saturday

August 27, 2011 at lunch time. The presentations were done with the aid of a projector to ensure that

the animation done was projected for all to see. At the end of the first round of evaluation, the top

teams in all categories emerged. These included 10 teams in senior category, 10 teams in junior

category and 5 teams in teacher category.

The top teams made a fresh presentation on Sunday August 28, 2011 and tried to convince the panel of

judges on why their work should be adjudged one of the top three to win the coveted prizes. The first,

second and third place winners in all categories were announced at the closing ceremony. A breakdown

of the winning teams and prizes won are shown below.

Page | 10

Winners in all Categories

Position Senior Team Junior Team Teacher Team Prize

1st Team 17 Team 10 Team 6 i-pad

Akinmoyade Ayomide David Aniefiok Nwanko Emeka

Ndubisi Christopher Adedeji kayoed

Johnson Esther Bala Aisha farouk Mordi Charles

Oginni Folafoluwa Ayodele Ayomikun

2nd Team 10 Team 6 Team 8 Laptop Computers

Ezeh Benedict Enang Mfreke Kalu Mercy

Yaknse Nse Ayuba Daniel

Fatunmise Ifeoluwapo Ibrahim Ibrahim Alfa Mohammed Yakubu Alenoghena Antonia Orederu Tinuoluwa

3rd Team 24 Team 12 Team 7 Desktop Computers

Osemeke Fortune Ebi Victoria Afolabi Sola

Olawale Adebayo George Funke

Iroegbu Ezinwanne Yawe Elizabeth Famuwagun Ayoola Olatunji Olakunle Ata Oluwaseun

Page | 11

NON IT CONTENT

The non–IT content on camp were deliberately designed to ensure maximum participation by all

categories of participants on camp including (junior, senior and teacher teams).

Following the new tradition introduced last year, all participants and volunteers were broken down into

four main houses. The houses were chosen from a list of DIGITEST2011 strategic partners. The

DIGITEST2011 houses are as follows:

Ondo House

EFO House

Zenith House

Omatek House

Each of the houses selected their house captains and assistants. One of the major camp highlights was

the daily camp news. Each house was assigned days where they were expected to compile, edit and

prepare news for presentation at night. Each house then selected 2 or more of its members to present

the news at night. Other non-IT content that the houses competed on included debate, quiz, spelling

bee and sports.

Theme Lecture

The DIGITEST2011 theme lecture which centred on “Renewing Energy, Improving Power” was delivered

by Professor Olurinde Lafe. The lecture increased the knowledge of the participants on renewable

energy options to improving power. Such options included solar energy, wind-mills amongst other

options that have not yet been fully exploited in Nigeria’s quest to solve its crippling power problem. At

the end of the lecture, a number of participants fielded questions which were treated by the guest

Speaker. Almost all the participants took noted during the lectures as their knowledge of the theme will

be put to test during the competition phase of the camp.

Page | 12

Career Classes

In order to equip the children with relevant information on various careers, seasoned experts and

professionals in different fields were invited to speak to the children on various aspects. The lectures

tagged career classes were short presentations laced with question and answer sessions that allowed

participants to have an in-depth knowledge of the courses covered. 4 career classes were featured in

DIGITEST2011. These are:

Academic (How to be a Professor) Professor Albert Ilemobade, Former Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State

Creative Arts (theatre and Drama) Professor Ahmed Yerima (Former Director General, Nigerian National Troupe)

IT (Mobile Applications) Mr. Zubair Abubakar (creator of the Nigerian Constitution Black Berry App)

Human Resources Miss Ife Abari

Public speaking Mr. Oladele Olunike

Literature (Creative Writing) Miss Tosin Otitoju, Author Comrade, a compilation of Poems

Morning Devotion

As part of the DIGITEST tradition, morning devotion was organised everyday for both Christian and

Muslim participants and volunteers. Morning devotion which is compulsory for everyone on camp starts

at 5.30am. For Muslims, DIGITEST2011 coincided with the Ramadan fast. As always, provisions were

made for Muslim participants to have their early morning breakfast at 4.30am to enable them meet

their religious obligations. An arrangement was made for the Muslims to attend service at the akure

Central Mosque on Friday August 26, 2011. Christian participants had a thanksgiving service organised

on Sunday August 28, 2011.

Sports and Morning Drills

Immediately after morning devotions, participants undergo early morning drills. The drills are light

exercises to keep them fit and agile for the day’s task. Due to time constraints, sport on DIGITEST2011

camp was limited compared to previous editions. Participants only had time to play a game of football.

Page | 13

CLOSING CEREMONY

The DIGITEST2011 closing ceremony was the climax of all activities on camp. The closing ceremony

earlier scheduled to hold at the Ondo State House was moved to the Adegbemile Cultural Centre, Akure

at the last minute due to challenges with logistics. The closing ceremony was sponsored and hosted by

the Ondo State Government.

Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, the Executive Governor of Ondo state led several state dignitaries including the

secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, the Special Adviser on ICT and

Chairman of SITA, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Environment respectively

amongst several others. Other dignitaries include, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, Permanent Secretary Ecological

Fund Office and DIGITEST National Coordinator, Mr. Bisi Olatilo, Veteran Broadcaster, representatives of

DIGITEST 2011 sponsors from Zenith Bank, Galaxy Backbone Plc, Ecological Fund Office amongst others.

In her opening remarks at the occasion, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote thanked the Ondo state Government for

its support to the successful hosting of DIGITEST2011 maintaining that the 2011 camp is one of the best

camps that has been organised since inception. She commended the giant strides of the Ondo state

Government especially in the area of education which has witnessed massive infrastructural

development in the last 2 years.

The evening came to a climax with the announcement of winners of the DIGITEST2011 competition in all

categories. There was jubilation amongst the winning teams who were presented their winning prizes by

Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, the Ondo State Governor.

Awards and prizes were also presented to Dr. Olusegun Mimiko for his contribution to youth

development in Nigeria, and also to Ecological Fund office, Zenith Bank and Galaxy Backbone for their

institutional support to Digital Peers International over the years.

Presenting the DIGITEST2011 Magazine to the members of the public, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote commended

the DIGITEST2011 media team for working round the clock to ensure that the magazine was published.

She mentioned that the magazine produced on camp included pictures and articles generated from the

camp. The magazine was launched by the Governor with a sum of 1million Naira.

In his vote of thanks, Engr. Adeolu Odusote, a board member of Digital Peers International thanked all

the DIGITEST stakeholders for working with Digital Peers International to ensure the success of the

yearly camp. He assured that DPI will continue to work harder and smarter to make DIGITEST camping

experience a unique one for all involved.

The closing ceremony came to an end with cultural display from the Fiwasaiye Girls Grammar school

cultural troupe and the Ondo State Cultural Troupe.

Page | 14

SIGHT-SEEING VISIT TO IDANRE HILLS

Participants ended the DIGITEST2011 camp experience with a trip to Idanre hills. The trip commenced in

a convoy of 11buses from Christ the Redeemers International Secondary School at around 9am. The trip

to Idanre town from Akure lasted for 1hour.

At idanre hills, the climb from the bottom, through 660 steps to the top of the hill wasn’t for the

fainthearted. However, almost all the participants made the trip including the DIGITEST National

coordinator and the Camp Commandant.

Sights on the hill included relics from an old primary school built in the 18th century and also the old

palace of the king of Idanre.

The visit lasted more than 5 hours as lunch was served when participants returned to the base of the

hill.

Page | 15

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are an integral part of the DIGITEST experience. For DIGITEST2011, a total of 156 volunteer

applications were received. At the end of the volunteer recruitment process, a total of 43 volunteers

were selected to man different positions in the 6 different departments on camp.

Overall, the volunteers on camp displayed high commitment and worked round the clock to ensure the

success of the camp.

Due to challenges with venue, the volunteers training which normally would hold 2/3 days before the

camp did not hold. This affected the work of some volunteers as they were not properly integrated into

the DIGITEST culture.

However, the identified gaps were resolved through the Volunteers Meeting which held every evening

at the end of the day’s activities.

Furthermore, the Head of Departments had early morning briefing with the Camp Commandant to set a

daily agenda for the camp.

Post Volunteer Dinner

At the end of the camp, a volunteer appreciation dinner was organised on Tuesday August 30, 2011. The

dinner was an opportunity to thank all volunteers for their hardwork and commitment to DIGITEST2011

and also to gather feedback from volunteers on ideas for improving the next camp experience.

Some of the ideas generated include:

1. The need to properly train volunteers in areas such as Leadership, Team-work, Organisational

skills and basic IT skills to ensure that they effectively deliver on their roles and responsibility

before and during camp.

2. Participants should be allowed to anchor/present almost all programs on the DIGITEST camp.

The roles of volunteers are to encourage and provide support.

3. Provision of a bouncing castle to allow the junior participants have more fun on camp

4. Observation of siesta for the participants to reduce their stress level.

At the end of camp, awards were given to the best volunteer and 2 runner-ups. Damilola Ade emerged

the overall best volunteer following three rounds of voting amongst volunteers. She was presented with

a Samsung Galaxy tablet. Damilola Apotieri Abdullahi and Bolaji Ojo emerged first and second runner-

ups respectively and were presented with phones.

Page | 16

CHALLENGES

DIGITEST 2011 had its fair share of challenges; some of these challenges are highlighted below:

Change in venue at the last minute: DIGITEST2011 was scheduled to hold at St. Peters Unity

secondary School. However, ongoing construction at the venue meant the venue wasn’t suitable

for children. A new venue was agreed upon a day to camp. This disrupted volunteer training and

training of volunteers to handle registration

Power Challenges: DIGITEST2011 relied on three small generators with combine capacity of less

than 26KVA. In the last three editions of DIGITEST, generators used had a minimum capacity of

200KVA. This caused some disruption to the time-table as volunteers worked hard to deploy a

suitable combination of generators to power the classes.

Shortened Number of days for DIGITEST: Due to the election cycle in the earlier part of the year

which disrupted school calendar and the Ramadan fast, the number of days for this year’s

DIGITEST was reduced from the usual 13days to 10days. These meant that all activities on camp

were compressed to fit into a shortened time. As a result, activities like siesta and games were

reduced to the barest minimum.

Capacity of Systems: The capacity of the systems deployed this year had a slight improvement

compared to last year; however, due to the heavy software deployed, the memory capacity of

the systems (supplied by JK consulting Limited as part of their support to DIGITEST camp) were

not adequate.

Sponsorship/Fundraising: Compared to last year, the fundraising effort for DIGITEST2011 has

improved. However, because the fundraising drive did not commence in good time, DIGITEST

missed the opportunity to raise funds especially from private sectors who plan their budgets a

year ahead.

Lack of Foreign delegates on camp: Discussions with other countries yielded no results this year.

The Egyptian government turned down invitation to participate in the camp as a result of the

ongoing transition in the country. The Government of Ghana who wrote to confirm attendance

were unable to make it to camp due to unexplained logistical reasons.

Page | 17

RECOMMENDATIONS

Decision on venue and signing of Memorandum of Understanding with host schools should be

done at least 6 months before DIGITEST camp to ensure adequate planning.

DIGITEST should make it a priority to work with host schools that have generators with capacity

above 100KVA for camp and also have smaller generators as back-up.

DIGITEST should plan ahead for election years and pay close attention to the selected dates

especially during election period to avoid unnecessary disruption to DIGITEST planning.

DPI should immediately begin planning, fundraising and development of promotional items for

DIGITEST2012 to give relevant stakeholder ample time to plan for the camp.

DPI should write to embassies and also try and work through the ECOWAS commission and the

African Union to increase foreign delegates at the camp.

NEXT STEPS

By popular demand, DIGITEST2012 has been scheduled to hold in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital and DIGITEST

Abroad in Pretoria, South Africa. The theme for the camp is “Using Information Technology to Solve

Youth Unemployment”. The DPI office is already working to ensure that promotional materials for

DIGITEST2012 camp are ready for distribution before the end of the year.

Page | 18

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Special thanks to Almighty God for ensuring that despite the challenges faced, DIGITEST2011 ended on a

very high note and also for His Divine protection in ensuring that all stakeholders who travelled to and

fro Akure, Ondo State for the camp arrived at their various homes safe and sound.

Immense appreciation also to the Board of Trustees of DPI for their invaluable support to the success of

the camp through providing advisory support, linkages to sponsors and other forms of in-kind support.

DPI has benefitted from their wealth of experience in planning and organising the DIGITEST2011 camp.

DIGITEST2011 will not be successful without the participation of participants from all over the country

including children and teachers, the support of volunteers who worked late nights to ensure that the

children learnt IT and were also comfortable during camp and the sponsors who ensured that DPI had

enough resources to run the camp. The contributions of all these stakeholders made DIGITEST2011 a

unique camping experience.

Finally, Digital Peers International received financial and in-kind support from the following institutions

and corporate bodies for DIGITEST2011:

GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS

Ecological Funds Office

National Information Technology Development Agency

Galaxy Backbone Plc

PRIVATE SECTOR

Zenith Bank Plc

JK consulting Limited

Joint Konsult Limited

African Independent Television

Channels Television

Biscom International Limited

DEE-IY Limited

DIGITEST 2012

REPORT

DATE: 4 -16 of August, 2012

DIGITAL SOLUTIONS TO YOUTH

UNEMPLOYMENT

2

S/N CONTENT PAGE

1. PREAMBLE ...........................................................3

2. INTRODUCTION......................................................4

3. DIGITEST THEMES IN PERSPECTIVE..............................5

4. DIGITEST NIGERIA...................................................7

4.1 PRE-CAMP PLANNING.....................................7

5. CAMP EVENTS........................................................8

5.1 PRE-CAMP MEETING.......................................8

5.2 MOVEMENT AND MOBILIZATION.........................8

5.3 REGISTRATION AND SETTLING IN .......................9

6. THE STATISTICS.......................................................10

6.1 GROUP DISTRIBUTION.....................................10

6.2 GENDER DISTRIBUTION...................................11

6.3 VOLUNTEERS PER DEPARTMENT........................11

6.4 STATE DISTRIBUTION......................................12

7. SPECIAL EVENTS......................................................14

8. DIGITEST SOUTH AFRICA............................................18

9. CHALLENGES...........................................................20

10. RECOMMENDATIONS.................................................20

11. FINANCIAL REPORT..................................................21

12. NEXT STEP............................................................22

13. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.................................................23

14. CONCLUSION...........................................................24

3

1. PREAMBLE

This report captures and narrates all the day to day activities of the 13th edition of

DIGITEST tagged DIGITEST 2012. The 2-edition programme themed “Digital Solutions to

Youth Unemployment” was organized by Digital Peers International with the aim of

empowering children and youth in our society and continent at large with IT-based solutions

to Youth Unemployment prevalent around the this part of the globe.

This report highlights DIGITEST 2012 planning, programmes, events and various challenges

of the edition programme held in Nigeria at Capital Science Academy, Kuje, Abuja from 5th

of August to the 16th of August 2012 and South Africa from 19th August to 30th August 2012

and also makes recommendation to improve on preparation and implementation for future

DIGITEST programmes.

The recommendations in this report cannot be exhaustive but rather serves as a tool to

improve upon in organizing future DIGITESTs.

4

2. INTRODUCTION

DIGITEST, an initiative of Digital Peers International (DPI), was concieved in the year 1999

as an IT-based training camp. It is an idea to empower women and children in the

acquisition of Information Technology (IT) skills for the purpose of building IT capabilities

among Nigeria’s future leaders towards personal and national development. The vision of

DIGITEST camp include among others:

To generate and develop ICT capacity in young people.

To contribute to national development and eradicate poverty through ICT.

To promote knowledge - based summer camps for youths.

To re-focus youthful energy to gainful activities.

To inculcate godly values into children towards national growth, patrotism and unity.

Since the maiden edition of this initiative that targets to equip children between the ages

of 8 and 18 with basic Information Technology (IT) skills in year 2000 with 70 participants in

attendance, DIGITEST has geometrically blossomed over the years to having an average of

400 participants from across the cardinal angles of Nigeria and even beyond the shores of

Nigeria.

Since inception in 2000, DIGITEST has continued to create avenues for training young people

basic IT skills, social values of integrity, respect for life, dignity in labour, discipline and

appreciation of the various Nigerian cultures.

DIGITEST programme has transversed all the geo-political zones of the country in a quest to

reach out to the grassroot towards creating equal learning opportunity to the teeming youth

of Africa, creating awareness on the right to information and promoting inter-cultural

tolerance and understanding. This feat had led to endorsement and hosting of DIGITEST by

various State governments and endorsement as their community development service by

members of the houses of assemblies.

Today, DIGITEST has remained a uniting force among the youth and citizens of the nation

even in the face of terrorism and ethno-religious issues that are threatening the unity of

Nigeria. It has also facilitated a steady increase in the growth of IT capacity among youths

and children. DIGITEST expanded its IT training from basic computer appreciation to web-

designs and at this year’s DIGITEST; the participants had a feel of the animation world.

5

3. DIGITEST IN PERSPECTIVE

Just like previous DIGITEST themes listed below in chronological order; which centers on

national issues, this year’s theme, tagged, “Digital Solutions to Youth Unemployment”

focused on the threat that unemployment is posing to the future of the African Youth.

This year’s DIGITEST like other DIGITESTs, had robust but educative sessions for both ICT

and Non-ICT contents. The ICT session focused more on bringing all the participants up to

the same page, by introducing elementary basics they need to know, to enable them

understand what they were to learn and do on camp. These include introduction to the

parts of a computer, basic functions of a computer and how to make use of these parts for

Year Edition Theme Location Attendees

2000 1st SULEJA 70

2001 2nd PYAKASSA-ABUJA 41

2002 3rd ABUJA 142

2003 4th NIPPING HIV/AIDS IN THE BUD

USING IT

ABUJA 81

2004 5th NIGERIA FUTURE WITHOUT

CORRUPTION:IT APPROACH

OGUN STATE-

ABEOKUTA

247

2005 6th ACHIEVING FOOD SECURITY USING

IT

JIGAWA STATE 286

2006 7th PERFECTING ICT WITH ICT CALABA & OBUDU 344

2007 8th EXCELLENCE GOVERNANCE

THROUGH E-GOVERNMENT

ABUJA 684

2008 9th E-BUSINESS NO BARRIERS NO

BOUNDARIES

LAGOS STATE 415

2009 10th RAISING IT CHAMPIONS FOR 2020 ABUJA 355

2010 11th GOING GREEN….DIGITALLY ABUJA 500

2011 12th RENEW ENERGY, IMPROVING POWER ONDO STAE 411

2012 13TH DIGITAL SOLUTIONS TO YOUTH

UNEMPLOYMENT

ABUJA 186

6

different functions. This was followed by the introduction to Cinema 4D, a 3-dimensional

graphic design software, Photoshop and After Effect software.

Considering the technicalities involved in using some of these software, participants in the

teachers and senior teams were trained on using the Cinema 4D, Photoshop and After

Affect software, while the junior teams were trained on Photoshop software only.

The training session, which was interjected with other programmes like career classes, talk

shows and other Non-IT programmes like dancing competition, debates, and beauty pageant

helped the participants to learn in a very relaxed atmosphere.

This year’s DIGITEST did not fall short of the unique and innovative programmes it witnesses

in every edition, as DIGI-STATION, an on-camp television and radio station was introduced.

Programmes like News broadcast in English and various Nigerian languages, Announcement,

Interviews and many other educating activities were aired live on camp by a set of

participants, under the supervision of volunteer media crew. Another of such programme

was Volunteers’ Sport that allowed volunteers to engage in sporting activities with invited

Corp members to the viewing pleasure of the participants.

This year’s DIGITEST was indeed a success story as every department of the programme

effectively and professionally delivered their duties. It is note-worthy that the media and

welfare teams were able to distinguish themselves as they meritoriously discharged their

duties.

7

4. DIGITEST NIGERIA

4.1 PRE CAMP PLANNING

The Planning and preparation for the 13th edition of DIGITEST started earlier in the

year with the adoption of the theme for DIGITEST 2012. Necessary material

procurement and publicity was embarked upon to reach out to the world. In the

course of this preparation, there were transitions in the office that actually slowed

down the planning and preparation.

Concerted efforts were then made after these transitions to consolidate on the

achievements of the past leadership by calling on a meeting of the Board of Trustees

of Digital Peers International, DPI, on Wednesday, 3rd of July, 2012 at No.7, Usman

Sarki crescent, Foursquare House, Utako, Abuja. The meeting was summoned to

appraise the level of preparation and relevance of programmes slated for DIGITEST

2012. Another area that was aggresively focused upon was the publicity which at the

time, was already behind schedule. DIGITEST 2012 jingle was aired eventually on AIT

on the 4th of July, 2012 and on Raypower radio station two weeks later. It is worth

mentioning that DAAR communications was the only media house that partnered

with DPI for DIGITEST 2012 as all our broadcast on their station was aired at no cost

to DPI.

This was closely followed by several visit of DPI staff led by the Programmes

Manager to the host school, Capital Science Academy, Kuje, towards finalising the

MOU between DPI and the school and inspection of the venue and infrastructure of

the school needed for the event. This effort yielded result on 6th July, 2012 as the

school sent a mail, expressing their willingness to host the 13th edition of DIGITEST.

As a rider to this achievement, 41 volunteers comprising 40% old timers and 60%

newcomers were selected and informed to have been selected from 122

applications recieved this year. This ratio became imperative as it remains a

medium to encourage volunteering among willing youths in Nigeria and guarantee

continuity of DIGITEST culture among the volunteers. This notification was followed

with terms of reference which would help them in understanding the roles they had

been chosen to perform.

8

5. CAMP EVENTS

On Saturday, 3rd August, 2012, preparation for DIGITEST 2012 got to its crescendo

as invited volunteers began to arrive in the early hours of the day to Capital Science

Academy. Without further delay, all working tools and personnel were assembled at

the school premises.

The camp activities for DIGITEST Nigeria were as follows:

Pre-event meeting

Movements and Passages:

Registration & Settling In

Special Events

Facilitators’ Dinner

5.1 PRE-EVENT MEETING:

Meeting of the major actors for DIGITEST 2012 and orientation classes for volunteers

were held on 3rd and 4th August, 2012. These meetings amongst other things

focused on:

Reviewing of terms of references of volunteers

Understanding of camp rules and regulations

Discussing the programme contents and expectations generally

The meeting that had all facilitators/volunteers, support staff from Capital Science

and DPI staff in attendance was the first ground breaking on DIGITEST 2012 camp as

it was the first forum for the new staff of DPI office to meet with DIGITEST veteran

facilitators as well as the new intake.

5.2 MOVEMENT AND MOBILIZATION:

In order to ease the stress of locating the venue of the events, buses as well as

personel were strategically positioned at the Abuja International Airport, Kuje

Junction and Utako Bus Terminus to receive participants from all over Nigeria and

take them to the camp venue, Capital Science Academy Abuja for registration and

participation.

9

5.3 REGISTRATION AND SETTLING IN:

Registration of participnts commenced in earnest at DIGITEST camp on 5th August,

2012. The exercise which was divided into two categories included pre-camp

registration and on-camp registration. The on-camp registration was further divided

into four categories which cater to the categories identified below:

1. Those that had completed both payment and online registration

2. Those who had paid but had not registered online

3. Those that had registered online but had not paid

4. Those that had neither registered nor paid.

Participants, upon scaling these processes

were grouped into junior, senior and

teachers’ teams as well as sports, hostels,

and competition groups respectively. They

were thereafter directed to the store with

their clearance note for the collection of their

camp kits i.e T-shirts, writing materials and

bags. This year, there was a sharp drop in the

number of participants as only 186

participants participated in DIGITEST compared to 410 in 2011. This was largely due

to the prevalent insecurity situation across the country precipitated the by BOKO

HARAM insurgency; as well as the transition process in the DPI office, which caused

a bit of setback in the level of publicity and awareness created before the

programme.

10

6. THE STATISTICS

DIGITEST 2012 Category Distribution

Gender Distribution

Volunteers Departmental Distribution

State Distribution

6.1 DIGITEST 2012 GROUP DISTRIBUTION:

DIGITEST 2012 CAMP STATISTICS

S/N Category No.

1 Senior Team 126

2 Junior Team 49

3 Teachers 11

4 Other support Staff 6

5 Volunteers 43

6 Cleaners 10

7 Guards 10

8 KITCHEN SUPPORT 2

TOTAL 257

Senior Team 49%

Junior Team 19% Teachers

4%

Other support Staff 2%

Volunteers 17%

Cleaners 4%

Guards 4%

KITCHEN SUPPORT

1%

DIGITEST 2012 CAMP CHART

11

6.2 GENDER DISTRIBUTION:

The gender distribution table shows the number of volunteer, participants, and

support staff by gender and the total number of male and female present in the

camp.

Gender Distribution Chart

6.3 VOLUNTEER PER DEPARTMENT:

The table below shows the number of volunteers per department.


Admin 11

Logistics 3

ICT (Facilitation/Backup) 10

Programs 6

Media 5

Welfare 8

Total 43

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

VOLUNTEER PARTICIPANT SUPPORT STAFF

MALE

FEMALE

GENDER VOLUNTEER PARTICIPANT SUPPORT STAFF TOTAL

MALE 27 118 15 160

FEMALE 16 68 13 97

TOTAL 43 186 28 257

12

Volunteer/Department chart

6.4 STATE DISTRIBUTION TABLE:

The state distribution table shows the number of participants from each state of the

federation.

STATES NO OF PARTICIPANTS

ADAMAWA 1

AKWA IBOM 12

ANAMBRA 12

BAYELSA 1

BENUE 3

CROSS RIVER 1

DELTA 3

EBONYI 1

EDO 1

EKITI 9

ENUGU 4

FCT 42

IMO 1

KADUNA 1

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

No. of Volunteers

Admin

Logistics

ICT (Facilitation/Backup)

Programs

Media

Welfare

13

KATSINA 1

Lagos 7

NASARAWA 5

NIGER 3

OGUN 1

ONDO 24

OSUN 4

PLATEAU 9

RIVERS 21

SOKOTO 19

TOTAL 186

State Distribution Chart

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

AD

AM

AW

A

AK

WA

IBO

M

AN

AM

BR

A

BA

YELS

A

BEN

UE

CR

OSS

RIV

ER

DEL

TA

EBO

NYI

EDO

EKIT

I

ENU

GU

FCT

IMO

KA

DU

NA

KA

TSIN

A

Lago

s

Nas

araw

a

NIG

ER

ogu

n s

tate

ON

DO

OSU

N

PLA

TEA

U

RIV

ERS

SOK

OTO

NO OF PARTICIPANTS

NO OF PARTICIPANTS

14

7. SPECIAL EVENTS

OPENING CEREMONY:

DIGITEST 2012 was declared open

on August 5, 2012. Engr. Adeolu

Odusote who acted in a double

capacity as a member of the

Board of Trustees of Digital Peers

International and representative

of the National coordinator of

DIGITEST, Mrs Ibukun Odusote,

declared the camp open amidst

pomp and pageantry, with words

of praises to the organisers of

DIGITEST and encouragement to the lucky participants as they settled in to learn. In

attendance at the ceremony were the representatives of the Honourable Minister for

Women Affairs, Managing Director of AIT, representative of the host school, Capital

Science Academy and a host of others. Several group photographs were taken and

interview session with media houses after the ceremony.

THEME LECTURE:

Two-seasoned guest speakers in the person of Gbenga Sesan, the foremost ICT

entrepreneur and Dr. Abdul Hussein of Action Aid were invited to do justice to this

year’s theme tagged “Digital Solutions to Youth Unemployment”. CAREEER CLASSES

and TALK SHOWS were also featured in this year’s DIGITEST. Aside the opportunities

presented to the participants to understand and learn new things about career,

there was also opportunity to meet with other dignitaries that had made resounding

landmark in the ICT in the country.

SESSION WITH MICROSOFT:

Mr. Ugochukwu of Microsoft Citizenship Inc. took time to educate junior and senior

participants on the importance and opportunities embedded in being IT literate. He

also opened the eyes of the teachers to some basic online self-assessment

programmes for Microsoft certification and useful tools for training classes. The

class became very alive when Mr. Ugochukwu began to display the generosity of

15

Microsoft Citizenship Inc by giving various consolation gifts like earphone, webcam

and mouses to the participants.

LUNCH WITH INDOMIE:

A team of staff of United Foods Company, the manufacturer of the popular

household noodle “Indomie”, led by the regional sales representative was received

on camp in the afternoon of August 8, 2012. The on-camp Indomie cooking

competition tagged “My Best Indomie Cooking” displayed participants’ cooking skills

as they were provided with different ingredients. The programme ended with the

feeding of all the participants by Indomie foods,

presentation of gifts to participants that answered

various questions asked by the representative of

Indomie as well as awarding of gift to the adjudged

best cook by the panel of judges.

CULTURAL NIGHT WITH CULTURE MINISTER:

The Honorable Minister for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation was the

special guest at the cultural night that highlighted the cultural richness of the

diverse cultural group represented in this year’s DIGITEST. Part of the programme

for the night was the interview session by DIGITV

media crew that enabled the Honorable Minister to

share his childhood experiences and as well advise

the youth on the way forward. The Honorable

Minister expressed his delight at what he saw at

the camp and charged the participants to remain

dedicated, focused and patriotic.

DINNER WITH THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF AIT:

Mr. Charles Ode, director and member of the Board of Trustees of DAAR

communications, represented The MD. He brought words of encouragement from the

MD and expressed DAAR communications’ happiness to associate with and the

willingness to answer to calls from DIGITEST at any time. The intention of the

organisers of DIGITEST to appear on KAAKAKI, a programme on AIT, was whispered

16

to his hearing at the venue and the dinner was rounded up with him giving the

younger generation a feel of “Azonto dancing step”. The following day, DIGITEST’s

silent prayer to appear on KAAKAKI was answered, as a text and phone call were

both received from AIT, giving details of scheduled arrangement for DIGITEST to

appear on the AIT morning show.

EXCURSION:

On Saturday August 11, 2012, the much-anticipated excursion by the participants

was embarked upon. The excursion took excited participants through the city of

Abuja to notable places like the Kpaduma hill in Asokoro, where AIT studio is

situated. From here, a perfect aerial view of Abuja city could be sighted. Art and

Culture Village, opposite Sheraton Hotels and Towers in

the heart of Abuja was also visited and lastly,

Wonderland Park on the outskirt of Abuja suburb where

participants shared fun and lunch before retiring to

Capital Science Academy in the evening.

THE COMPETITION:

Participants were divided into 3-different categories of 32-senior teams, 12-junior

teams of four participants per group and 5- teachers’ teams of 2 persons in a team

were given same project questions that related to Youth Unemployment and

charged to proffer solutions using graphics, Photoshop and After-effect software

applications they had been introduced to initially. After two days of hard work, all

categories presented their works and were scored by the panel of judges drawn

from IT background and wealth of experience. Unlike the previous systems of

selecting best project/presentation, there was modification to the process of

scoring and picking best presentation this year as all participants were given one

time opportunity to present their work. All presentations were adjudged and the

best three selected accordingly in order of performance. This process was near

perfect as it saves time and was devoid of manipulation of results. The results of the

presentations announced at the closing ceremony and the emerging winners in all

categories were presented with the following prizes:

17

POSITION JUNIOR TEAM SENIOR TEAM TEACHER’S TEAM

1st 4 Laptop

Computers

4 Laptop

Computers

2 I-pads

2nd 4 Laptop

Computers

4 Laptop

Computers

2 Laptop

Computers

3rd 4 Laptop

Computers

4 Laptop

Computers

2 Laptop

Computers

THE CLOSING CEREMONY:

The closing ceremony of DIGITEST 2012 took place at Ladi Kwali hall of Sheraton

Hotels and Towers. The highlights of the dinner programme, which started at

7:00pm Nigerian time on August 15, 2012, included cultural dance and step dance by

the media group, news casting from DIGITV - an on-camp television and radio

station. The programme also witnessed presentation of awards to various winners of

on-camp activities, which includes best three projects in the three categories,

winners of debate, quiz and Mr. and Mrs. DIGITEST. Giving her emotion-laden

closing remarks, the National Coordinator of DIGITEST, Mrs. Odusote, was full of

praise to the participants as the best-behaved DIGITEST camp ever hosted. She

encouraged every participant to keep the flag flying and build on what they learnt

while on camp. The occasion witnessed invited dignitaries from the public and

private sector, past participants, parents.

FACILITATORS DINNER

On Thursday 16th of August 2012, all DIGITEST 2012 activities ended with a dinner

organised by the National Coordinator of DIGITEST to host the volunteers of

DIGITEST 2012. The dinner brought together DIGITEST actors to review the

programme and proffer solution where necessary. Each departmental head gave an

account of how the programme went; challenges faced and suggested areas that

required improvement. The HODs’ on behalf of their teams thanked the organisers

for the opportunity to serve in their various capacities. The DIGITEST National

Coordinator, while appreciating the volunteers, commented on the need for timely

rendition of report and documentary for DIGITEST 2012 for proper documentation

and the need for revamping the organisation’s website.

18

8. DIGITEST SOUTH AFRICA

The journey to South Africa for DIGITEST 2012

abroad began at 1.30 pm. 15 out of the 38-

participants billed to travel for the educational tour

arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International

Airport Lagos from Abuja. The early arrival gave

DPI’s staff ample time to prepare ground for

receiving other participants that arrived from other

parts of the country. As the number of participants

increased to thirty (30), luggages were checked in and the participants were set to

board the Arik Air plane to South Africa for DIGITEST 2012. The remaining eight

participants from Sokoto State could not join the group immediately due to the

celebration of Id-El Fitri festival, which coincided with the date of departure.

DIGITEST 2012 delegates eventually departed Nigeria for South Africa at 11.50pm

Nigeria time due to other delay and arrived O.R Tambo International airport in

Johannesburg, South Africa at 6.45am South African time.

On settling in at Manhattan Hotel, a 3-star hotel in the heart of Pretoria, Engineer

Odusote welcomed all participants to

DIGITEST South Africa 2012. In his welcome

remark, he reiterated DPI’s resolution not to

only bridge the digital divide for the African

children but, also, to give them the necessary

exposure that he believes is an important part

of the learning experience needed to catch up

with their peers worldwide. He enjoined all

participants to open their mind to grabbing all the opportunities this trip would

present to them. He thereafter introduced AVM consults team to the participants as

the personnel that would be handling the IT training section of DIGITEST 2012 South

Africa.

The three days ICT training on “Microsoft Digital Literacy” took place in Chicago hall

situated within the hotel. The training, broken into three categories explored

various ICT literacy programmes that have been set up by Microsoft Inc.

As DIGITEST’s usual tradition of employing non-conventional learning technique,

participants toured round Pretoria in order to familiarize themselves to the new

environment. Places visited include; “Union Building” the parliament and executive

seat of the country’s government situated in the heart of Pretoria. Merlyn Complex,

the biggest shopping mall in the whole of Pretoria.

19

Pretoria from history is regarded as the administrative seat of the government of

the republic of South Africa from apartheid era until date and the architectural

structure of the over 90-year-old Union Building explained the unbelievable year of

modern age in South Africa.

The ICT training section for DIGITEST 2012 eventually ended on August 23, 2012 with

a comprehensive test on the courses taught and participants were presented with

Microsoft’s Digital Literacy certificate as well as AVM’s certificate of completion of

Microsoft’s Digital Literacy courses. Participants thereafter transited to

Johannesburg after rounding off with the ICT training. It was a moment that all

participants had been looking forward to, as they were excited with the various non-

IT activities lined up.

On arrival in Jo’burg, participants were checked into Randburg Inn, Hotel and

Towers as they looked forward to the array of activities that would last for six days.

Participants during their stay visited the following sites:

•The Apartheid museum: This is where all historical events that happened during

the apartheid regime in South Africa were archived. It showcased the struggles that

Mandela and other freedom fighters embarked upon towards the emancipation of

South Africans.

•Sci-bono discovery centre: This is where physical science apparatus and

demonstrations were displayed. This place was significant to the participants as a

number of them who are science students could easily connect what they saw to the

things they have learnt in the past and others developed interest in science.

•Mandela House in Soweto: This was where he lived before he was incarcerated,

and returned to after his release.

•Gold Reef Theme Park: I am sure the memory of Anaconda ride, Golden loop and

Miners revenge still lingers in the mind of participants.

•Hartbeespoort Park: A resort with lake for yachting sport and cruising for tourists

and a park packed with many large, dangerous and wild animals with species from

different continents and countries. These includes Lions, Tigers, Anaconder etc.

During the trip, delegates were treated to various Nigerian dishes blended with

continental dishes

In the evening of August 29, 2012 DIGITEST 2012 delegates were hosted to a farewell

dinner organised by House on the Rock Church at sport park arena in Randburg. The

evening events feature novelty match among participants, farewell speech by Pastor

Bent amongst others. The programme came to an end with vote of thanks and

prayer.

20

9. CHALLENGES:

A number of challenges were experienced during the planning and on camp. These

include:

Poor funding/response from sponsors

Low turnout of participants as a result of security challenge and poor

publicity

Inability to partner with media houses likes NTA and Channels TV for wider

publicity due to change in policy and inaccessibility of decision makers.

Non attendance of foreign delegates due to late/non notification.

Delay in getting acceptance from suitable host school for DIGITEST 2012.

Low specification and delayed supply of computer systems available for

camp.

Volunteers poor commitment to the spirit of DIGITEST.

10. RECOMMENDATIONS:

DPI should plan, strategize and develop promotional items for DIGITESs well

ahead of time to give relevant stakeholders ample time to plan for the camp

and fit into its budget.

DPI should commence exploring all Publicity opportunities in good time to

allow proper outreach to schools and parents. This include partnership and

signing memorandum of understanding with media houses.

Write to embassies and try to work through the ECOWAS commission and the

African Union to increase foreign delegates at the camp.

Decision on venue and signing of Memorandum of Understanding with host

schools should be done at least 6 months before DIGITEST camp to ensure

adequate planning.

Re-orientation and training for volunteers towards achieving the objectives

and rules and regulations of DIGITEST.

Targeting more than one partner/sponsor for computers needed for camp and

specifying required specifications to partners/sponsors

DIGITEST should be a full two weeks programme to enable proper impartation

on the participants and the programme as well.

21

11. DIGITEST 2012 FINANCIAL REPORT

DIGITEST 2012 ACCOUNTING REPORT

CAPITAL/INCOME 31 063 210.00

1 DONATIONS 10 700 000.00

NITDA 1 500 000.00

FED MINS OF ENVIRONMENT 5 000 000.00

ZENITH BANK PLC 4 000 000.00

GALAXY BACKBONE 200 000.00

2 REGISTRATION 18 956 000.00

DIGITEST NIGERIA 5 962 000.00

DIGITEST SOUTH AFRICA 12 994 000.00

3 PLEDGES 1 240 000.00

PLEDGES 1 240 000.00

4 OTHER INCOME 167 210.00

MEDIA 71 710.00

VENTURES 44 500.00

MAGAZINE LAUNCH 51 000.00

LESS EXPENDITURE 25 984 334.40

1 SOUTH AFRICA EXPENSES 15 244 977.60

2 PUBLICITY AND ADVERTS 989 416.80

3 PRE-CONFERENCE &

RELATED PROGRAMMES

2 160 000.00

22

4 LOGISTICS: PRE-

CONFERENCE & RELATED

PROGRAMMES

12 600.00

5 FOOD AND REFRESHMENT 2 347 450.00

6 CAMP LOGISTICS 129 240.00

7 PRIZES & CONSULTANCIES 4 356 000.00

8 CONTINGENCIES 744 650.00

GROSS BALANCE 5 078 875.60

12. NEXT STEPS:

By popular demand, DIGITEST 2013 has been scheduled to hold in Uyo, the Akwa-

Ibom state capital and DIGITEST Abroad in the Peoples Republic of China. The theme

for the camp is “Using ICT to Solve the Problem of Insecurity”. The DPI office is

already working to ensure that promotional materials for DIGITEST 2013 camp are

ready for distribution before the end of the year.

23

13. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

No words can be enough to express our profound gratitude firstly to God Almighty

who has made it possible for us to witness yet another DIGITEST camp in spite of all

the challenges that beclouded it. Besides, mention must also be made of the

unflinching support of eminent Nigerians from both private and public institutions

who have demonstrated their generosity morally and financially towards the success

of DIGITEST 2012.

Finally, worthy of note are the participants, facilitators and volunteers who have

made themselves available at this year’s DIGITEST. We thank you all

We also acknowledge the following:


• Federal Ministry of Environment

• National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)

• Galaxy Backbone PLC

• Ministry of Communications Technology

Private Sector & Civil Society

• JK Consulting

• Zenith Bank PLC

• Africa Independent Television (AIT)

• DEE-IY Limited

• Capital Science Academy

24

14. CONCLUSION

DIGITEST 2012 has ended. In spite of the numerous challenges, the programme was a

success. The 13th edition of DIGITEST was once again able to bare the enormous

responsibility for being IT training ground to Nigerian youths for national

development.

DIGITEST has contributed its quota this year as always towards proffering solutions

to Youth Unemployment. Although, this is a continuous activity that the DIGITEST

team is always honored to perform. The need for continuous development in the

area of IT capacity building cannot be over emphasized, but this is constantly being

threatened by limited financial resources. With the economic crisis, sponsors’

cautious spending has taken its toll on DIGITEST activities. IT capacity building in

Nigeria is very different from what it should be. Reduced investments in Nigeria’s IT

development in form of capacity building will in no distant time portend an

untoward effect on Nigeria’s entity as a whole.

If Nigeria truly wants to be one of the world’s desirable nations by 2020, there is a

dire need for a greater investment and sacrifice, in the area of IT development in

form of capacity building to engage its teeming youth that formed the greater

percentage of its labour force and its economy driver. The economic crisis is not a

time to cut down in areas of ICT but a time to increase momentum in terms of the

support given to organizations doing whatever is humanly possible, to ensure

Nigerian youth becomes more relevant in Nation building through gainful

employment using ICT.

It is against this backdrop that we are making this clarion call to the Nigerian

Government, individuals, parents and indeed all the stakeholders in Nigeria that we

cannot afford to sleep by and watch.

Let us rise up and save Nigeria through our support of organizations such as ours to

take her to its goal of ambition, so that the “Labours of our Heroes past shall never

be in vain”.

Thank you.

1 | P a g e

DIGITEST 2013 REPORT

ICT: A KEY TO TRANSFORMATION

AUGUST 4TH – 15TH, 2013

ROEMICHS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, ILORIN, KWARA STATE.

AUGUST 24 – SEPTEMBER 4, 2013

BEIJING, CHINA

2 | P a g e

CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................. 3

DIGITEST NIGERIA ......................................................................................................................................... 4

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................ 4

PRE-CAMP PLANNING .................................................................................................................................. 4

OPENING CERMEONY ................................................................................................................................... 5

CLOSING CEREMONY .................................................................................................................................... 6

CAMP EVENTS ............................................................................................................................................... 6

NON IT ACTIVITIES ........................................................................................................................................ 6

OTHER ACTIVITIES ................................................................................................................................ 7

IT CONTENT ................................................................................................................................................... 7

VOLUNTEERS’ DESIGNATIONS ..................................................................................................................... 7

DIGITEST CHINA 2013 REPORT ..................................................................................................................... 8

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................ 9

EXPECTATION ............................................................................................................................................... 9

GUANGZHOU CITY ........................................................................................................................................ 9

SHENZHEN CITY ............................................................................................................................................ 9

ZHENGZHOU CITY ....................................................................................................................................... 10

BEIJING ........................................................................................................................................................ 10

COMBINED CHALLENGES............................................................................................................................ 11

COMBINED RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................................. 11

AKNOWLEDGEMENT .................................................................................................................................. 12

3 | P a g e

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Having considered many areas of focus like Security i.e Cyber-security, it became evidently imperative with the prevailing societal incidence that “the need for a change” should be the center piece of orientation for the participants, come DIGITEST 2013. This was intended to help educate youths on the importance and need to embrace transformation as a panacea to the challenges that has bedeviled Nigeria for decades. Interestingly, this also became a national thinking and campaign focus of the Nigerian government at every level, which made it a veritable connecting point with many organizations’ agendas in the year 2013. In line with the theme for this year, Kwara State was considered a suitable destination for DIGITEST Nigeria, due to its passive record of attendance in the past DIGITEST programs and the drive to fulfill DIGITEST’s objective of reaching the grassroots via nationwide ICT awareness creation. China on the other hand was chosen to host DIGITEST Abroad, because of its reputation as the most developed nation in the 21st century and learning role model for other developing countries. At DIGITEST 2013, participants were introduced to, and trained on the concepts behind developing mobile applications using Adobe flash-builder software. This was a clear digression from the previous 3DMax and Cinema 4D applications that had been taught in the last three DIGITEST editions. This report is concise and straight forward to depict a compact statement on DIGITEST 2013, which took place in Reomichs International Schools, Ilorin, Kwara State and People’s Republic of China. The theme for the event was: - ‘ICT: A KEY TO TRANSFORMATION’. Challenges and recommendations have also been included to ensure that subsequent DIGITEST camp programs would be better.

4 | P a g e

DIGITEST NIGERIA

INTRODUCTION The proactive role of raising a twenty-first century generation of IT savvy manpower to develop and

sustain IT potentials in Nigeria and Africa was envisioned decades ago by the founders of Digital Peers

International, which led to the initiative tagged “DIGITEST” that has trained and empowered over 5000

participants, including teachers and volunteers, since inception.

The program, which comes in twosome, addresses the national component of the theme during 12 days of intense IT drillings hosted locally within Nigeria, followed by an abroad edition that gives participants a global view of the topical issues considered yearly as theme for the program. The program which started 14 years ago has become a veritable platform to train participants on IT, build moral virtues for leadership roles and exposure to global practices and ideology. The vision of the initiative is to build a virile capacity for the nation through the exposure of children and youths to IT, as a necessary ingredient for sustainable development at a very tender age. The camp has no doubt become a uniting platform for children to experience and appreciate different religious and cultural views thereby promoting peace and harmony amongst Nigerians and a platform to apply their new found knowledge to tackle debilitating National and International Development challenges.

PRE-CAMP PLANNING As its custom, preparation for DIGITEST 2013 (Nigeria & Abroad) began in the month of October 2012, after the filing of the happenings of DIGITEST 2012 had been concluded. A theme for DIGITEST 2013 event was decided upon, after consultations with stakeholders, volunteers and Board of Trustees members. A team of Digital Peers International, led by its Programs Manager, Mr. Ademola komolafe, immediately embarked on various follow ups with stakeholders to establish and ensure partnership, support and renewal of pledges towards the programme in different capabilities to source amongst many other things; funds, suitable venue for DIGITEST 2013, computers for training, Internet services, media outreach and a host of basic things for a successful camping. Efforts were made to ensure that Kwara State Government received the host right, through related ministries like the Kwara State Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth development and the Kwara State Ministry of Women Affairs, to avail this opportunity to their students. Likewise, promotional materials and letters of invitation were sent out to schools across the federation, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Women Affairs in the 36 states of the federation. Extensive awareness was created via airing of DIGITEST 2013 jingle on Africa Independent Television Station and many other radio stations. Bulk SMS were also sent intermittently to remind parents and participants.

5 | P a g e

Four months before camp, ICT facilitators and some officers at the Digital Peers International office agreed on exploring the chances of giving MOBILE APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT a visit, by considering it the next thing to teach DIGITEST participants. The probable challenges were acknowledged one of which was the ability to convincingly develop a mid-weight application especially for the prospective novices that would be taught on camp, coupled with the fact that writing lines of code was somewhat unavoidable. It was however decided that Mobile Application Development should be the focus, using Adobe flash-builder software, which would make the training to be as elementary as possible (since it was the first time to be attempted) and learn from it whatever lessons there were to be learnt. The Digital Peers International website was revamped to enable a seamless online registration of participants and volunteers that were shortlisted for the programme.

OPENING CERMEONY DIGITEST 2013 Camp officially began on Sunday, August 4, 2013. Participants were seen arriving as anticipated. According to the tradition, a number of volunteers had arrived the previous day for a volunteer’s orientation meeting. This is where the terms of reference and designations are read out to every volunteer, to aid in the operations on camp. The operations on camp were successful even up till its end on the 16th of August, 2013. DIGITEST 2013 Opening Ceremony was the first major event on camp. The events took place in the Roemichs Hall. All the volunteers functioned together to see to it that it went on without a hitch. In her welcome address, Mrs Ibukun Odusote, represented by the Programs Manager, Mr. Ademola Komolafe enunciated on the need for youths in the nation to immediately embrace transformation in their approach to work, study and the society, which will give them an edge over their peers in Nigeria and compete favorably with their counterparts abroad if adopted into their practices subsequently. The Executive Director of NCAM praised the lofty idea of the organizers and congratulated participants for the rare opportunity they enjoyed. He further charged them to take advantage of the opportunity to acquire and oil their IT skills. In the speech of Mr. Abioye Victor, the Director of Human Capital Development, who represented the Honorable Commissioner for Education while declaring the camp open, appraised Information and Communication Technology as the backbone of any country’s social and economic capability. He enjoined participants to seize this opportunity in their own best interest because they are the future decision makers of the country, and what defines the future is the level of ICT skills and understanding of global events. He encouraged participants to read vastly. The occasion was graced by invited guests and representatives of some of the Kwara State ministries. Executive Directors of National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), Agricultural and Rural Management Institute (ARMTI) and Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), Executive Director of, Roemichs International Schools amongst others.

6 | P a g e

CLOSING CEREMONY A grand Closing Ceremony was held in the Roemichs Hall, by 6:00pm on Thursday, August 15, 2013, to mark the closing of DIGITEST 2013, with the high and mighty of Kwara State in attendance and other invited guests from federal and state ministries and captains of private companies.

The highlight of the day was the closing remark from the Senior Special Adviser to the Kwara State government, Mr. Usman Hamza, who stood in for the governor at the occasion. He extended His Excellency’s well wishes to all participants, guest and parents as well. This was followed by launching of the on-camp DIGITEST magazine and an art work painted on DIGITEST camp by the representative of the governor. Other events include presentation of Award and Prizes to individuals and groups that distinguished themselves in various activities while on camp.

The Kwara State Dance Troupe and DIGITEST 2013 dance group thrilled the audience with a wonderful performance.

It was a bittersweet moment, as participants said their goodbyes as the DIGITEST 2013 theme song was played.

CAMP EVENTS NON IT ACTIVITIES DIGITEST 2013 activities commenced on Saturday the 3rd of August, 2013 with the arrival of Volunteers to the camp grounds to consolidate the already laid out plans for the DIGITEST event and to prepare themselves for the task ahead. Below is a list of the Camp activities for DIGITEST 2013:

1) Volunteers’ Training: To ensure effective and fire up team spirit, Volunteers and Facilitators were given a two-day training workshop. This entailed: reviewing the Volunteers terms of reference, Understanding the outlined Camp rules and Regulations and General overview of the event’s programs. Meeting with the management of the host schools was arranged and areas of collaborations were discussed extensively with volunteers as well.

2) Registration: Registration of participants and everyone on camp began on the 4th of August

2013. To aid swift work, the process was divided into pre-camp and on-camp registration. The total number of participants recorded for DIGITEST 2013 was 186. This low participation could be traced to the clash of the Muslim celebrations and DIGITEST event. In as much as the DPI team, stakeholders and BOT wanted the inclusion of the Muslim participants there wasn’t much choice than to go ahead with the event as planned.

3) DIGITEST Theme: Hours after the opening ceremony, DIGITEST 2013 theme lecture was

delivered by Dr. Jimoh Omosebi of the department of Computer Science department, University of Ilorin, who represented the President of Nigeria Computer Society. His lecture helped participants to have a clear understanding of how ICT can be used to transform our society, sighting the banking operations experience of two decades ago and now as example. He stressed that ICT gives veritable platforms to showcase innate abilities, innovations and talents.

7 | P a g e

Other resource persons like Dr. Alex Akanmu of the department of Mathematics Education, University of Ilorin; Mr. Mohammed Baba of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and Mr. Martins Egbanubi of Micheal Imoudu Institute of Labour Studies counseled participants on various career issues.

4) Session with Access Bank: Access Bank Plc was also at hand to share with participants, the vivid

importance of transformation and its impact on our everyday activities. The representative of Access Bank dealt more extensively on the electronic products of the bank and its importance to the cashless economy system adopted by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

5) Educational Outing: On Saturday, the 10th of August, 2013, all participants were transported out

of the camp for an educational trip. They were opportune to visit the National museum Esie, Kwara State; National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM) and the University of Ilorin Zoological garden where participants met and interacted with the Vice chancellor of the University of Ilorin – Professor Ambali.

6) Heart-to-Heart talk: At this year’s DIGITEST, participants were divided along gender class to discuss and counsel participants on gender related issues. The session anchored by volunteers of respective genders was so revealing and educative. Participants expressed themselves without the fear of stigmatization by other gender group on personal issues, social issues and also suggested areas of improvement and addition to DIGITEST programme.

OTHER ACTIVITIES Social and sporting activities like Mr. & Miss. DIGITEST pageant show, Inter-house sport competitions, Quiz and Debate, Cultural night and Talent hunt were introduced in this year’s DIGITEST to balance academic and non-academic activities on camp. Other activities like morning devotion, Jumat prayer and morning drill were strictly observed. IT CONTENT The IT component of the camp started on Tuesday, 6th of August 2013. The initial challenges of software compatibility with the computer systems that was experienced at the beginning of the class was resolved immediately to enable participants settle for a seamless training session. Participants comprising 11 teachers and 175 participants were grouped into 5 Teacher Teams, 31 Senior Teams and 15 Junior Teams. They were all trained for thirty-five hours, spread over seven days. This was followed by another nine hours of project execution that was presented at the end of the exercise. Seasoned IT technocrats were invited as judges to assess and adjudge best projects and presentations. Winners in different categories were presented awards/prizes at the closing dinner which marked the end of DIGITEST 2013. VOLUNTEERS’ DESIGNATIONS The effects of operations were spare headed by the Heads of Department (HOD). The departments and HODs were as follows; Administration – Miss Alice Lawrence; Welfare – Mr Ayorinde; I.C.T. – Mr Jide; Programs – Miss Biola Olunubi; Media – Mr Gift Edah and Logistic departments – Mr Azeez respectively.

8 | P a g e

ADMINISTARTIVE DEPARTMENT: It was divided into 6 units – Store/Inventory Unit, Registration Unit, Accounts/ Funds Management Unit, Ventures Unit, and Customer Care Unit. WELFARE DEPARTMENT: It was divided into 3 units – Medical Unit, Welfare Unit, and Kitchen Department. ICT DEPARTMENT: It was divided into 4 units – System Support, Back up Manager, Facilitation Team and Project Assessment Manager. PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT: It was divided into Extra – Curricular activities Unit, Sports Unit, Time Keeper, Magazine and Newsletter Editor MEDIA DEPARTMENT: It was divided into 6 units – Multi-media, Sound & Dance Personnel, Animator & Supervising Editor, Editor, Photo and Video Managers, Social Media Manager LOGISTICS DEPARTMENT: It was divided into 3 units – Facility Manager, Transport Manager, and Security Manager. These were supervised by the Camp Commandant – Mr. Bassey Orok and the Programs Manager – Mr. Ademola Komolafe. A tremendous and amazing cooperation was recorded from the management of Roemichs International Schools. Even though they dint have a thorough understanding of the DIGITEST concept at the beginning.

THE STATISTICS

Gender Distribution

Departmental Distribution

State Distribution Gender Distribution: the gender distribution table shows the numbers of participants,

volunteers, teachers and support staff present in the camp divided as male and female.

9 | P a g e

DIGITEST CHINA 2013 REPORT INTRODUCTION DIGITEST Abroad 2013 came on the heels of DIGITEST Nigeria 2013 in Roemichs International School, Ilorin, Kwara State. The event earlier slated for August 20 – 31, 2013 was shifted to Aug 24 – Sept 4, 2013 due to visa logistics and other related issues.

On the set date for departure, Saturday, August 24, 2013, 38 participants registered to partake in the trip convened at the international wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos for take-off to China en-route Ethiopian and Emirate airlines respectively. DIGITEST TEAM was received on arrival by Mr. George Zhou and his colleague – Stacy and Christy.

EXPECTATION At a session with participants the next day after arrival in Guangzhou, Engr. Odusote, a Board of Trustee member of Digital Peers Int’l and also a part of the DIGITEST TEAM emphasized that DIGITEST China was one that the participants were to learn by observation. He said the future of Nigeria could only be brighter and better if her youth can learn Chinese and also learn by observation. That’s the way forward for Nigeria he stressed. Participants were therefore expected to observe real life applications to what they have been taught theoretically using animations, graphics, after effect to the latest one on mobile applications in local DIGITEST camps. The twelve days visitation took participants to four different provinces namely Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhengzhou Beijing before returning to Nigeria.

GUANGZHOU CITY In Guangzhou, the team visited the CANTON TOWER, a 600m-high, 350m width height, 108 floors multi-purpose Chinese observation tower. Its takes a maximum time of 90-seconds, to go from the base to the top of this Tower using an elevator. It is one of the world’s most spectacular new buildings and the world’s tallest TV Tower as well as the world’s top ten tallest buildings. Its symmetry is such a beauty to behold. It was such a fun climbing to that height, beholding the beauty of the city whose skyscrapers made it look like a little paradise.

A ride on the PEARL River later in the evening was like acting another TITANIC. Participants had their meal on the boat as they beheld the beautiful scenery of Guangzhou city at night from this place. It was indeed the TITANIC experience.

SHENZHEN CITY Participants arrived Shenzhen at midday of August 27, 2013 and visited Hassee Computer Company & Sungworld Electronics during the few stint in Shenzhen. It has been earlier stated that DIGITEST 2013 China was one the participants were expected to learn by observation so the visit to Hassee Computers and Sungworld Electronics was for the purpose.

10 | P a g e

HASSEE COMPUTER COMPANY & SUNGWORLD ELECTRONICS Participants were taken through a brief lecture centered on the company’s activities, conducted round the company’s showroom, main production room and assembly. The essence of this is to let participants’ see and know the processes products in the open market go-through before their eventual launch into the market. Sungworld Electronics unlike Hassee Computers manufactures tablet PCs and computer devices. Participants were conducted round the showroom of the company after a brief lecture session with the Chinese facilitator.

ZHENGZHOU CITY Zhengzhou, the center of Chinese culture and beginning of modern civilization in China, is the capital and largest city of Henan province in North-central China. It also serves as the major political, economic, technological and educational centre of the province as well as a major transportation hub for central China. It is relatively rural in comparison to Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Beijing that the TEAM visited. Places visited in this place are the Shaolin Temple, The Yellow River and the Agricultural development site in Zhengzhou and Henan Water &Power Engineering Consulting Co. Ltd. AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT SITE The next day after arriving in Zhengzhou, the entire team was led to an Agricultural Site in Zhengzhou organized through Mr. Zhang Wuchang, Mr. John Way, Mr. George Zhou and Mr. Mountain.

The DIGITEST TEAM alongside Staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development with the DIGITEST National Coordinator were conducted round the farm after a brief lecture at the farm Hall by Mr. John Wei. It is interesting to note that modern agricultural practices using mechanized tools were engaged for farming. Other attractions on the farm were the hybrid farming and irrigation system that sustains all year round crop production. The farm is also a testing ground for new breeds of seed such that where a certain seed yields well; it could be sold to the general public for mass farming the next planting season.

Other sites visited were SONG-SHAI MOUNTAIN, THE YELLOW RIVER believed to be the cradle of Chinese civilization and the spiritual home of the Chinese people and SHAOLIN TEMPLE, which showcase the religious belief the Chinese people and various martial art schools. BEIJING Participants upon arrival were lodged at China National Convention Center Grand Hotel – a four star hotel – located in the Chaoyang District of Beijing. Places visited in this city were the Tian’an Men Square, Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall. The first day after arrival from Zhengzhou, participants visited Tian’an Men square that holds the Historic resistance of citizens to the declaration of martial law in Beijing by the government and the eventual protest that led to the death of hundreds of thousands of civilians on this square.

Participants also visited the Forbidden City (The city is termed forbidden because no one could enter or leave the city without the Emperor’s permission), Trees older than 300 – 500 years were seen all over the place. The participants also had a feel of China commerce at Beijing City Electronics Mall and the Yao Shau Market for clothing and other related materials.

11 | P a g e

VISIT TO THE NIGERIAN EMBASSY Before departure on September 4, 2013, a visit was made to the Great Wall of China and the Nigerian Embassy in Beijing as it is a custom for immigrants entering a country to visit her home Embassy in that country. To this effect, DIGITEST team was hosted to a meeting at the conference room of the Embassy by the Staff of the Embassy including the Nigerian Ambassador to China. At the meeting, Engr. Adeolu O. Odusote who led the DIGITEST team briefly summarized what DIGITEST is all about, and its focus to help transform the lives of the average Nigerian child since inception in the year 2000, ICT wise. The Ambassador, while addressing the team congratulated the DNC and her husband for the lofty idea behind this type of outing and promised to support in any way he could when next the team visited China. Comments, observations, requests and inquiries were made from both sides and the meeting came to an end with a group photograph with the Ambassador and his retinue. In another meeting with participants to recap the experience and perception of DIGITEST Abroad program, participants expressed their observation of youth’s involvement in the developmental activities of China, Chinese individual religious tolerance and adherence, cultural and historical monuments preservation, and agricultural practices and development as lessons learnt. They encouraged the Nigerian government to emulate same in order to harness and engender full potentials of youth productivity in Nigeria.

Participants were welcomed by parents and friends on arrival to Nigeria on the afternoon of 5th September 2013. Major challenges faced were communication barrier and adjustment to Chinese cuisine. CHALLENGES DIGITEST 2013 was a great success by all standards. However, some challenges like declining number of participants, inadequate media equipment for media group to function optimally, compatibility of systems specification with the training software and the distance within the event halls were major challenges faced.

RECOMMENDATIONS DIGITEST has come to a point where skilled and experienced manpower is needed to run the camp. This will go a long way to directly or indirectly impact and motivate the training of interested volunteers that may possibly run the camp in the nearest future in the capacity of such designation and enhance effectiveness in implementations.

In place of some of the career talk sessions in the program, there is a need to include by choice, some skill acquisition programs to motivate and inspire the children to develop some interest in training themselves and granting them fortitude to face the challenges of unemployment.

DPI should take pre-training for key volunteers and heads of departments seriously

12 | P a g e

The operational values of the following departments; I.C.T., Media and Welfare departments should be considered important. They should be well equipped and mobilized with manpower and equipment’s where necessary.

Subsequently, computer systems to be used for competitions should be tested and have specs approved by the HOD ICT.

We should continue with the MOBILE APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT for subsequent DIGITEST.

Logistics and planning for annual educational trips should be pre-determined before choosing it as venue for subsequent DIGITEST camps.

Tradition of annual Volunteers awards and dinner night should not be stopped and outstanding and experienced volunteers should also be considered for foreign DIGITESTs.

There is need to develop a structure that would have all the camp would need for effective coverage and excellent productions.

Emphasis on morning devotions and care of all participants.

DIGITEST camps should have certified medical personnel as part of the team.

We had heart to heart talks with participants. It should happen more. AKNOWLEDGEMENT Worthy of note here is the spirited and consistent partnership and support we enjoyed in this year’s DIGITEST from the following organizations

AFRICA INDEPENDENT TELEVISION,

CHAMS,

JK CONSULTING LIMITED

ZENITH BANK PLC

ACCESS BANK PLC

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

KWARA STATE GOVERNMENT

ROEMICHS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

NATIONAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

NIGERIAN INTERNET REGISTRATION ASSOCIATION.

INDEPENDENT CORRUPT PRACTICICES AND OTHER OFFENCES COMMISSION

NIGERIAN COMPUTER SOCIETY

THE COMPUTER PROFESSIONALS (REGISTRATION COUNCIL) OF NIGERIA CONCLUSION The DIGITEST 2013 was a successful meeting. Plans are already underway to ensure a more prosperous DIGITEST 2014.

13 | P a g e

FINANCIAL REPORT ACCOUNT FOR DIGITEST NIGERIA 2013

INCOME

REGISTRATION

Number of participants 187

Registration fee (169) 5 915 000.00

Registration Fee Support Staff (4) 69 000.00

Registration Fee Teachers (2) 30 000.00

DIGITEST abroad participants 13 470 000.00

19 484 000.00

SPONSORSHIP

Access Bank 15 000 000.00

Zenith Bank 4 000 000.00

NITDA 500 000.00

NiRA 100 000.00

19 600 000.00

OTHERS

Launching of Magazine/ Art work 237 010.00

Transportation 343 500.00

DMEDIA 54 500.00

DVENTURES 49 820.00

TEACHERS SUMMIT 260 000.00

944 830.00

GRAND TOTAL 40 028 830.00

EXPENDITURE SUMMARY

DIGITEST Abroad 17 109 886.00

Publicity and Advert 1 923 000.00

Logistics: Pre-conference &Other related Expenses 871 230.00

Materials and souvenirs 2 095 920.00

Food and refreshments 2 516 410.00

Venue Related Expenses 2 600 000.00

Honorarium and Prize giving expenses 2 054 000.00

Office Related Expenses 7 179 815.00

GRAND TOTAL 36 350 261.00

BALANCE 3 678 569.00


AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION USING ICT

DIGITEST

2014

REPORT THEME: AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION USING ICT

DATE: 4TH – 15TH, 2014

VENUE: PREMIERE ACADEMY, LUGBE, ABUJA.



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The introduction of Mobile application development training at DIGITEST 2013 was one

of various proactive and pragmatic moves by Digital Peers International to keep the

innovative tendencies of Nigerian youths in tune with the trends of global ICTs

development. It was targeted to broaden the youths‟ knowledge of the concept behind

various applications they use on their computer gadgets, build their capacity and

translate these ideas acquired to solving challenges peculiar to this part of the world

and also register Nigeria among the leagues of nations taking advantage of Information

Technology to solve problems.

In furtherance of these ICTs capacity building among the young people, which

undoubtedly is a key tool for integrating them into the loop of the transformational

agendas geared towards nation building, particularly in agriculture sector, Digital Peers

International engaged 189 young participants at the just concluded two weeks DIGITEST

ICT training and competition programme for young people, themed “Agricultural

Transformation Using ICT” to deepen their knowledge of Mobile Applications

development and its capacity to drive the agriculture sector of the economy,

referencing the impact of ICT on the integration of youth to assuming active roles in

agriculture by other countries that their agricultural programmes have received

accolade for the tremendous success for its impartation on the social and economic

lifestyle of youths in that society.

Though many schools and stakeholders across the nation withdrew their students and

wards from participating in the annual event due to the security challenge in the

northern part of the country and Ebola outbreak in the western countries of Africa at

that time, DIGITEST Nigeria 2014 was held in Abuja from 3rd to 15th August, 2014 in

fulfillment of DPI‟s commitment to driving ICT education values and capacity

development among our youth. On the other hand, DIGITEST Abroad 2014 to Songhai

Farm in the Republic of Benin was cancelled due to Ebola scare.

This report captures all the phases of preparations that built up to DIGITEST 2014 and

camp activities.



DIGITEST PROJECT

DIGITEST is a flagship programme of Digital Peers International, an IT based NGO

dedicated to building virile ICT capabilities among the teeming Nigeria workforce with

dispassionate interest for children, youth and women that are vulnerable in the society

through various initiatives.

DIGITEST, an annual creative camp and competition which started 15 years ago, has

become a life laboratory where young minds between the ages of eight and eighteen

are being equipped with the requisite Information and Communication skills to

becoming valuable human manpower and asset that will drive the social and economic

activities of the country.

Beyond ICT, DIGITEST has become a platform for impacting children with the culture of

Leadership, entrepreneurship, cognitive development. It is also to learn about careers

through the career classes, network with other children from diverse background.

DIGITEST has traversed various parts of the country and overseas with the intent of

bridging the „global digital divide‟ among youth, fostering unity amongst tribes and

regions and also, encouraging intellectual interaction with contemporaries from other

countries.

DIGITEST, with average participants of 300 annually has now become the largest IT

based creative camp and competition for children and young people and teachers in

Africa, creating an enabling environment for children to learn IT and apply their new

found knowledge to tackle National and International Development priorities.

The objectives of DIGITEST are as follows:

To generate and develop ICT capabilities in young people

To contribute to development and poverty alleviation through ICT

To promote knowledge based summer camping for children and youth

To refocus youthful energies to gainful activities

DIGITEST has been organized in Nigeria since 2000 and internationally since 2006.



Overview of DIGITEST over the years;

S/NO YEARS NO OF PARTICIPANTS

1 2000 70

2 2001 41

3 2002 142

4 2003 81

5 2004 247

6 2005 286

7 2006 344

8 2007 684

9 2008 415

10 2009 339

11 2010 285

12 2011 214

13 2012 186

14 2013 176

15 2014 128



The continuous downturn in the number of participants since 2008, as reflected on the

above chart, is attributable to financial constraint on the part of the participants and

the organizers to fund this programme adequately, and therefore deprives willing

participants to take advantage of this lofty programme that was endorsed as a veritable

platform for building future players in the ICT sector by the then Federal Ministry of

Information and Communication. Other reasons include low sponsorship and lack of

government support at all levels. We therefore plead with various stakeholders to

support the vision of Digital Peers International in providing adequate support to

DIGITEST in terms sponsorship of participants and financial support.

DIGITEST NIGERIA 2014

Preparatory activities for Digitest 2014 commenced immediately after the successful

hosting of DIGITEST 2103. As part of efforts to build on the success recorded at

DIGITEST 2013, a meeting of stakeholders including the Board of Trustee represented by

Engineer Odusote, staff of Digital Peers International Secretariat and Volunteers were

summoned on 12th December, 2013. At the meeting, the consideration for venue and

focus for DIGITEST theme for the year was concluded. Respective planning committee

groups scheduled weekly meetings for updates and needed reach out to various

stakeholders.

HOST SCHOOL

The choice of Premiere Academy, Lugbe was predicated on its state-of the-art school

facility, its strategic location that guaranteed safety and the willingness of the school

management for collaboration. It was not a problem reaching an agreement with the

school management considering an existing relationship between the school and

DIGITEST which dated back to year 2010 when the program was hosted there.

VOLUNTEERS

Preparatory to DIGITEST 2014, Digital Peers International called for volunteers through

its website platform for individuals that are willing to impact the young ones and also

learn something new on camp. At the end of this exercise, 33 volunteers were

shortlisted, this include 65% returnee and 35% new volunteers in a bid to engender

continuity in the DIGITEST culture and values.



REGISTRATION & SETTING IN

The seamless registration process began on the afternoon of August 3, 2014.

Participants and accompanying teachers and support staff that had registered on

DIGITEST registration portal were immediately validated and cleared, assigned kits,

house names and hostel numbers. While those that had not registered before camp

were made to pass through the registration routing.

At the end of the exercise a total number of 129 participants were registered for

DIGITEST 2014.

DIGITEST 2014 OVERALL DISTRIBUTION.

S/N CATEGORY MALE FEMALE TOTAL

1 Participants 74 46 120

2 Teacher team 6 3 9

3 Volunteers/Facilitators 22 9 31

4 Support Staff 10 10 20

5 Kitchen Crew 3 3 6

TOTAL 115 71 186



DIGITEST 2014 GENDER DISTRIBUTION TABLE

S/N CATEGORY JUNIOR SENIOR TEACHERS TOTAL

1 MALE 21 52 6 79

2 FEMALE 19 28 3 50

TOTAL 40 80 9 129

PARTICIPANTS‟ GENDER DISTRIBUTION CHARTS

MALE61%

FEMALE39%

DIGITEST 2014 PARTICIPANTS' GENDER

RATIO

DIGITEST 2014 SCHOOLS/STATE DISTRIBUTION

S/N STATES NO OF SCHOOLS PRIVATE PUBLIC O'LEVELS NO OF STUDENTS

1 NIGER 1 1 4

2 KWARA 13 9 4 18

3 PLATEAU 5 4 1 20

4 ABIA 1 0 1 9

5 ANAMBRA 1 0 1 20

6 FCT 13 10 3 25

7 KADUNA 1 1 0 1

8 RIVERS 1 1 0 1

9 OSUN 2 1 1 2

10 NASARAWA 3 2 0 1 10

11 KOGI 2 2 0 0 2

12 LAGOS 2 1 1 0 3

13 OGUN 1 1 2

14 IMO 1 1 0 1

15 KATSINA 1 1 0 1

16 USA 1 1 0 0 1



SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS PER STATE REPRESENTATION CHART

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

NO OF SCHOOLS

NO OF STUDENTS

PUBLIC/PRIVATE SCHOOLS DISTRIBUTION RATIO.

The security situation in the nation accounted for the drastic low participation at

DIGITEST 2014 in comparison to previous DIGITEST events. Many schools and

stakeholders from states like Rivers, Ondo, Akwa-Ibom and Sokoto where DIGITEST has

established patronage withdrew their participation on the ground of the nation‟s

insecurity.



OPENING CERMEONY

DIGITEST 2014 was officially declared

open in a grand style by Mr. John

Ogungbenro, the head of Learning at

the host school, Premiere Academy

Lugbe, Abuja and Mrs Areola Foluke

of Federal Department of Fishery,

Federal Ministry of Agriculture and

Rural Development. The opening

programme that started at 10.00am

of August 4, 2014 in the main hall of

the host school saw invited

dignitaries and representatives of

organizations that have sponsored the

camp event. Participants were assisted to settle down quickly and actively integrated

into the laid down activities. The programme which came to an end amidst funfair and

expectation featured Welcome address of DIGITEST National Coordinator, Mrs. Ibukun

Odusote, read by Bimuret Damak, a participant, introduction of camp officials,

DIGITEST Anthem rendition and familiarization with camp rules and regulation.

CAMP EVENTS

DIGITEST 2014 THEME

The guest speakers for the day, Mrs. Areola Foluke of Federal Department of Fishery,

Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development passionately shared with the

participants various initiatives under the Agricultural

Transformation Agenda of the ministry of agriculture which are

in consonance with the theme for DIGITEST 2014 “Agricultural

Transformation Using ICT”, and challenged participants to be

adequately equipped with requisite ICT skills because

agriculture has gone beyond hoes and cutlasses. The class was

interactive, and there was a question and answer session.

IT TRAINING AND COMPETITION

In the usual practice of DIGITEST, participants were grouped into Junior Team (8 –

12yrs), Senior Team (13-18yrs) and Teacher‟s Team, for a comprehensive training on

mobile apps development for 10 days. The Senior and Teacher‟s teams were trained

using Adobe flash builder while the junior teams were trained using apps inventor, an



online based software that is less difficult and highly interactive. This was followed by

project planning and development and a presentation that enabled the panel of judges

to evaluate their works. The result of the exercise produced the following teams as

having the best projects in all categories.

WINNERS SENIOR TEAM JUNIOR TEAM TEACHERS PRIZE

1ST

TEAM 4 TEAM 7 TEAM 2

LENOVO TABLET

CHIGOZIRIM AGWAH OKE KEHINDE SOGBEY CALEB

APEH PRINCEWILL JULIUS TONGERT OKPALA UCHE

OKORIE CYNTHIA IHEANACHO SYLVIA NNUEKWE PETERKINS ISAAC

OMIWALE ESTHER OPEYEMI KING-BELLO OJUOLUWA

2ND


LENOVO TABLET

OSUYI IZUCHUKWU BINGA BILSOYA SHABA OLUWATOYIN

GORDON DOGONYARO EDOISE SHEKINAH WAGWU ELIZABETH

DANIEL OSEMEKE NATHANIEL YEKINI

OBALOLUWA ADELEKE JOSHUA OSHAMO

3RD


LENOVO TABLET

UGOCHUKWU ANTHONY ABE BOLARINWA PEACE OLUWAFEMI AROWOLO

ENIOLA OKE ADEBISI KEHINDE OLALUSI TOLULOPE

OYENIYI LOIS BAKO-GAIYA KYELLANUM STANLEY RICHMAN

IBIKUNLE AYOMIDE EDOISE HERITAGE

NON-IT CONTENT

As part of DIGITEST 2014 programmes, participants were involved in Social and sporting

activities like Mr. & Miss. DIGITEST pageant show, Inter-house sport competitions, Quiz

and Debate, Cultural night and Talent hunt to balance academic and non-academic

activities on camp. Other activities like morning devotion, Jumat prayer and morning

drill were strictly observed.

a) DEBATE and QUIZ Competitions: The Participants to contest in these

competitions were picked based on nominations from their houses. At the end of

the contests, Zenith House emerged as the winner of both the quiz and debate

competitions.



b) SPORTS COMPETITION: There were inter-house sporting activities and

competition among the four houses participated actively. In football, AIT house

came out victorious with a score of 3-2 defeat of Agric house. While Agric house

emerged the winner in Volley ball after beating Galaxy house in three straight

set.

SPECIAL EVENTS

ORACLE DAY

The management team of Oracle Corporation

visited DIGITEST camp to have an overview of

DIGITEST camp and share with the participants

some of the tidbits that makes Oracle a

productive organization. They exposed the

participants to what Oracle comprises of, their

products and why it is one of the leading

software producing organizations in the world.

MOMENT WITH JAPHETH OMOJUWA

On Thursday, August 7th, the participants had a

productive moment with Japheth Omojuwa, a

young social media erudite that has carved a

niche for himself as a political commentator



through his blog page. Using himself as a reference point, he shared with the

participants on the appropriate use of internet and social media for personal

development.

INTERGENERATIONAL TALK

The youth arm of UNPFA, Young Men‟s Network (SGBV) and Nineteen‟s Initiative (a

social group) shared with the participants, insights into understanding the generational

difference, securing their future through discipline, obedience and hard work.

HEART-TO-HEART TALK

This initiative that started during DIGITEST 2013 continued to be very effective and

revealing. It was a session that helped many participants to clear their doubt and get

answers to challenging issues bothering on sexual/emotional abuse, teenage behaviors

etc.

CLOSING CEREMONY

DIGITEST 2014 rounded up on August 15, 2014 with dignitaries including the President of the Nigerian Internet Registration Association, Mrs Uduma Uma, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the DIGITEST National Coordinator, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, Engineer Adeolu Odusote, a member of the DPI Board of Trustees and Managing Director of DEE-IY Limited, Engineer Olufeko Femi of Fedreal Ministry of Communications Technology, parents of DIGITEST participants, Principal and staff of Premiere Academy Lugbe, and distinguished gentlemen of the Press. At the event, parents and distinguished guests were overwhelmed with surprise at the glimpse of some of the participants‟ projects presented for their viewing pleasure to enable them to see firsthand what participants did on camp. The impact of the programme on the participants was reflected at the final presentation of the winning teams where guests could not hide their surprises at the rich content of the mobile apps created by the children. Other entertaining events at the closing ceremony includes „The Farmers‟ Dance‟ i.e a cultural dance presentation by a team of selected participants that were trained by the FCT cultural troupe few days before the ceremony; „Cocoa Na Chocolate‟ agricultural dance drama by participants and Volunteers; Crowning of Mr. and Miss. DIGITEST 2014; to mention a few.



For the participants at DIGITEST 2014, the closing ceremony was a night full of fun, wining and dining. As usual, it was an emotion laden night as friends exchanged goodbyes and wistfully wished the period could be extended. CHALLENGES Despite the successful organization of DIGITEST 2014, the following were challenges encountered in the course of preparing for the program:

The insecurity challenge that forced the government of 6 states to withdraw from this year‟s DIGITEST and the cancellation of educational tour, which is a significant part of DIGITEST programme that participants look forward to.

Collaboration challenge with Federal Ministry of Education, depriving many federal government schools to take part in the camping

Low sponsorship drive/support. RECOMMENDATIONS

DIGITEST should improve on its fundraising strategy

DIGITEST should ensure collaboration with federal ministry of education AKNOWLEDGEMENT

Worthy of note here is the spirited and consistent partnership and support we enjoyed

in this year‟s DIGITEST from the following organizations;

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

ARMTI

NCAM

NSPRI

FADAMA III

AFRICA INDEPENDENT TELEVISION

CHAMS,

ZENITH BANK PLC

ACCESS BANK PLC

PREMIERE ACADEMY LUGBE, ABUJA

NATIONAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

NIGERIAN INTERNET REGISTRATION ASSOCIATION.

GALAXY BACKBONE LIMITED

DIADEM TRAVELS AND TOURS

CONCLUSION

The DIGITEST 2014 was a successful meeting. Plans are already underway to ensure a

more prosperous DIGITEST 2015.



FINANCIAL REPORT

FINANCIAL REPORT ACCOUNT FOR DIGITEST NIGERTIA 2014 INCOME REGISTRATION Number of Participants 128

Registration fee (119) 4,165,000.00

Registration fee (3) 90,000.00

4,255,000.00

SPONSORSHIP Zenith Bank 4,000,000.00

FMARD 4,045,000.00

FADAMA 560,000.00

NiRA 100,000.00

8,705,000.00

OTHERS DIGITEST Ventures 98,320.00

DIGITEST Media 38,000.00

Launching of Digi-mag 5,500.00

141,820.00

GRAND TOTAL 13,101,820.00

EXPENDITURE SUMMARY Publicity and Advert 2,356,845.00

Materials and Souvenirs 1,415,699.00

Logistics 4,860,225.00

Food and Refreshments 1,795,700.00

Venue Related Expenses 1,000,000.00

Prizes, Gifts Honorarium & Others 1,990,160.00

Miscellaneous 429,790.00

GRAND TOTAL 13,848,419.00

BALANCE (746,599.00)

Documents

FIVE YEARS DIGITEST REPORT - WordPress.com