Interesting, and they are obviously (I say that cos it is blatant) using joomla. It looks like it was done by a Youth Corper which means it wa probably done for free.  I wish other state governments see the need for this and moreover, *pay well* for such so that we can start getting more jobs.  As I have always said (though without concrete proof), less than 50% of those who need websites in Nigeria, actually have one.  It's a virgin forest out there. Imagine doing such a site for just 1 secondary school per state at even 300K - 500K (after kickbacks). You don make am be dat 

http://www.vanguardngr.com/content/view/30163/51/

A batchA 2008 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Mr. Oluwakorede Asuni   has successfully launched the first public high school web portal in Niger State _www.GovernmentSecondarySchoolMX.org.
The system, which was created for the Government Secondary School Minna Niger State, where Mr. Asuni is completing his primary community service assignment, will serve a number of purposes for not only the staff and students of the school, but also the general public and a broader worldwide audience.
These purposes include:

•    An online billboard – making the school accessible to a worldwide audience;
•    A means of internal communications (for staff and students) – allowing teachers to leave home work for their students, for example;

•    A central source of information for internal and external use _ divided into two major sections: public or general area and member area which requires registration;
•    And a custom email system.

At the launch event on Thursday 19th February 2009, the school management, led by the Rev. Fr. J. D. O’Connell (MFR) was positive about the project, which he described as something long in the making.

He thanked Mr. Asuni for taking time out to design, implement and train teachers and students to manage the system, which will be in place well after he has completed his one year community service _ as a part of the NYSC.

Jummai Umar_Ajijola, Citizenship Manager for Microsoft Nigeria who was represented at the event by Nana Mintah Adjooh, citizenship co_ordinator,  said that the strides that Mr. Asuni has taken  regarding the empowerment of the state’s  youth to participate in the emerging knowledge economy serves as an example of the positive change that locally_relevant and meaningful technology can bring about . 

“There is a clear need for multi_stakeholder partnerships to ensure the entrenchment and continued utilisation of technology in Nigeria’s Education system,” Hajia Umar_Ajijola said.

“Microsoft Nigeria has many partnerships with Government and other stakeholders involved with education – all of which aim to empower teachers and students in Nigeria to take advantage of the vast resource base that comprises Microsoft for Education.”
The school’s old boys association’s delegation _ some of whom had travelled down from their bases outside the country  have pledged to take over all financial responsibilities for the school’s web portal _ to cater for any upgrades that may have to be undertaken after the first two years that have been funded by Mr. Asuni.

Mr. Abubakar Salisu, director of the Department of ICT in the ministry of Science and Technology for Niger State, speaking on behalf of the ministry’s commissioner, has lauded the project, which he described as a positive pre_emption of the state government’s plan to create a central school web_portal for all schools in Niger State.

“The ministry pledges continued support from the government for such initiatives, which aim to improve the way that teachers and students interact with each other and the inter_connected world outside of the school’s boundaries.

“Mr. Asuni is very driven, energetic and a positive optimist who other young people should emulate for the general betterment of Nigeria as one of Africa’s most technologically_progressive countries,” he said.

The portal, which is built on Microsoft technology, can be supported from virtually anywhere in the world, which makes Mr. Asuni’s commitment to the school even greater.

As part of his commitment, Mr. Asuni, who is also an Anti_Cyber Crime ambassador for Microsoft, will also spend a few days annually in the school helping out with other engagements that can help the school develop its students’ technology capabilities and prepare them adequately for the challenges they may face in a world of evolving technology.

”I am beginning work to create similar systems for other educational institutions in Nigeria, utilising a social enterprise business model, which entails cost_effectively delivering important services not necessarily for financial returns,” Mr Asuni said.

”These efforts are in line with my commitments to engaging young people positively in the use of technology and creating alternative channels away from the menace of cyber_crime, which plagues our country’s youth and tarnishes the country’s image everywhere,” he added.

“It is critically important that in today’s modern society, we promote access to technology for Nigeria’s youth.  It is very necessary to help them prepare for a place of relevance in the emerging knowledge economy, and the earlier we do this in their education, the more experience they will gain when the time comes to enter the working world,” Mr. Asuni concluded.

I was involved in the planning stage of a project that was targeted to Nigerian universities. I left the project because of my school work and dont know the status of the project.

Based on the business plan of the project, if it could be implemented, it would definitely be of great benefit to Nigerian universities but difficult to get approved.

The Nigerian education system needs an overhaul. Nigeria needs an overhaul. It is quite difficult to be up to par with kids of the same age group worldwide. My roommate's child he still in kindergarten, at school they do their classwork on the computer. All assignments networked and a student can be easily tracked from kindergarten to graduating high school irrespective of which school he or she attends.

It is pretty amazing but for the Nigerian system, other things need to be functional before a solid system like this works fully. Except the government is looking to spend hundreds of millions of Naira or outsource data centers and adminitrative duties.

I would prefer the govt to setup all the infrastructure locally, definitely need to get the issue of energy supply fixed. At least with a local system, good, competent, professionals, who are currently seeking jobs in Nigeria would have the opportunity to work.

Using Joomla, Blackboard, Angel, other proprietary academic solutions or open source is a step forward. I just hope that they have a vision for 20years down the road. Migration would be a tough challenge if a good plan is not presently on the table.

he he cactus, I could have sworn there is a vision 20-20-20 

Seriously though, the whole country would have to be uprooted with a grader for things to work right.  Take what you just said, without steady electricity and a well-grounded networking backbone (as opposed to VSAT), all hope is lost.  I mean we are talking of a country where the Minister for Information says there is no need for www.nigeria.gov.ng for crying out loud. When the person at the top says that, that pretty much sums it all up IMHO

We are just managing (and don't get me wrong, I respect those of us who, despite the odds, are able to crank out various web projects back there) to say the least.

I was in a class last week. And a new girl came in and she was like where are you from? I said Nigeria, immediately the other American guys in the class started talking about 419 emails they get, the people that have fallen for the scam, and how predominant it is around the world.

I was like well yea we have our problems what about people like Maddoff and stanford that scammed over 50 billion dollars? I doubt if both of them will go to jail.

If in an office in USA, I embezzled, maybe 2000$ or less, I could lose my job and get prosecuted possibly end up serving time in jail. but these guys may get no time to serve.

It was disheartening. Terrible. imagine the first thing people use to associate with an entire country?

Nigeria needs big help.

I read a thread in the sports section about Michel Obi and others seeking English citizenship. I don't blame these people switching or adding nationalities.  what does one expect to happen?

Nice reading your thoughts here and I agree with you both that we have to start somewhere.
I did the wbsite using available tools with the sole aim of engaging the kids in that school and help them see the possibilities technology can bring about.
Most of the problems mitigating against progress in this country lies as much with the goverment as with the people themselves and until there is some sort of miracle to cause a nationwide rethink and resucitation of good old values the problems will persist and there will continue to be serious issues with every area of our national life.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Regards,
Oluwakorede Asuni

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