Diamond Bank, code camp Africa to train 500,000 coders

Riding on the success of the first edition of a training programme on computer programming, Diamond Bank Plc has revealed plans to train teens and other children in coding and technology development.

This is in partnership with Code Camp Africa, organisers of the boot camp where participants seven to 15 years learnt computer coding over five weeks.Managing Director of Diamond Bank, Uzoma Dozie, said the bank is focused on developing homegrown talent across all fields as in its recent hashtag Homegrown.

Dozie affirmed: “The future of almost everything nowadays is technology and will depend on the ability to use technology. The Western world is outsourcing jobs to India because of this ability to write code. It is paramount that we develop in this area of development.”

According to him, Diamond Bank collaborated with Code Camp Africa and programming firm, Andela Limited, to deliver the five-week programme that equipped about 25 youngsters with knowledge and skills in various computer languages. Participants showcased at the event the websites and applications they had learnt to develop following their tutelage.

Dozie added, “In 10 years’ time, these kids can work in Nigeria and across the world. It is critical that we equip these children with the ability to code and understand the language of technology.”

Code Camp Africa Promoter, Edwin Momife, said the vision of the organisation is to train at least 500, 000 youngsters in coding.“If you learn how to code, you become a global citizen,” Momife stated, “We need Nigerians to get to code and use technology to solve problems.”

Participants at Code Camp Africa ranged from seven years to 14 years. They spoke of their thrilling experiences in learning various computer-programming languages, from JavaScript through Python and Scratch, among others. Daniel Abass, a participant, attested that he can now make his websites while Judex Umorgu and others displayed various websites and applications.

One of the apps uses geo-location to enable parents to track the movement of their children or staff, while others showed apps for games, cars and other hobbies of the participants.