Miss Comfort Oja of Makun-Omi and Abdulazeez Oseni of Ilushin have emerged as the best learners at the just concluded Ogun Waterside Digital Boot Camp 3.0 held at the Wisdom College of Excellence (WICE), Iwopin.
The 8-day intensive programme, organized in partnership by the Ogun Waterside Patriotic Forum (OWPF) and Wisdom College of Excellence with support from Uthman Beeko Rufai Esq. and Hon Abiodun Abudu-Balogun (ACTION) brought together 45 students drawn from all secondary schools in Ogun Waterside LGA.
Participants were trained in Microsoft Office, Computer Based Test (CBT) techniques, Graphics Design, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and the use of digital devices including Drones and Virtual Reality.
At the terminal assessment and closing ceremony, Comfort Oja and Asez topped the class and carted away cash prizes and laptops for their outstanding performance.
Speaking at the event, the Ogun Waterside LGA Chairman and the Secretary to the Local Government commended the organizers and urged them to hold further discussions with the LGA for wider collaboration. They also encouraged parents to support their children with digital devices at home.
The OWPF Chairman charged the Government, schools, and parents to support OWPF activities, including the payment of annual dues, to sustain the impact of the initiative.
In his closing remarks, the Technical Monitor of WICE called on Ogun Waterside LGA to establish a Digital Hub to institutionalize technology learning for youths in the area.
The boot camp was described by organizers as the most successful edition yet, with students leaving equipped with practical digital skills for the future.
The best students described the boot camp as excellent
Abdulazeez Oseni of Ilushin, the camp turned his phone into a learning tool.
“We learnt how to use email properly, how to save files, and how to use the internet for research, not just TikTok. The ICT lab at WICE showed us that technology is a tool. Now when I go home, I will teach my younger siblings what I learnt.”
CBT practice gave him confidence and results:
“The CBT training changed me. They taught us shortcuts, how to flag questions, and how to stay calm. I scored the highest in our final CBT test. That gave me confidence that I can compete with anyone anywhere.”
His favorite session was on Artificial Intelligence:
“AI class was my favorite. We used AI to generate ideas for Graphics Design and to learn coding basics. I now understand that AI is the future, and Ogun Waterside students don’t have to be left behind. I want to learn more about AI and maybe build something for my community one day.”
He summed it up this way:
“This camp opened my eyes. Technology is not far from us. If government, parents and OWPF keep supporting this, Ogun Waterside children will lead in tech.”
For Comfort Oja of Makun-Omi, the boot camp broke a barrier.
“Before I came here, I was scared of Excel and CBT. I thought ICT was only for ‘computer people’. But in 8 days, I learnt how to use Word to type assignments, Excel to do tables, and PowerPoint to present. Now I can help my teacher prepare slides. The fear is gone.”
On CBT, she said the daily practice changed everything:
“CBT used to be my biggest fear. During mock SSS2 exam, I was thinking how I will JAMB through CBT. I didn’t know how to click ‘Next’ or ‘Submit’. At this boot camp, we did CBT every day. We learnt time management, how to navigate questions, and how to avoid mistakes. Now I am confident. I know I can sit for WAEC and JAMB without any panic.”
AI was a new world for her too:
“I had only heard ‘AI’ on radio. I didn’t know it could help me study. They taught us how to use AI to explain difficult topics, to practice English, and to get ideas for essays. But they also warned us not to copy. AI is a helper, not to do our work for us.”
She’s leaving with a new mindset:
“I came to WICE as a student. I am leaving as a digital learner. I will use my laptop to learn more skills and help others in Makin-Omi.”
