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Nigeria’s Independence, 9 important facts you should know!

September 28, 2024 in Business, motivational, Upskilling

As we commemorate Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration in the month of October 2024, we see it as a good opportunity to travel back in time to share notable activities relating to our independence as well as celebrate the bravery of the heroes that made it happen. So enjoy this quick read showing some key facts on Nigeria’s Independence.

9 important facts about Nigeria’s Independence:

  1. Nigeria was formed in 1914.
    The land area known today as Nigeria was formed in 1914 when British colonial authorities merged the Northern and Southern Protectorates of Nigeria, to form the amalgamated Protectorate and Colony of Nigeria.
  2.  Nigeria gained independence in 1960.
    Nigeria gained independence from the British empire in 1960, initially adopting a British style of government with Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as the first Nigerian head of government (prime minister)
  3. The National Anthem: Nigeria, We Hail Thee was first used upon independence in 1960, the lyrics were written by Lillian Jean Williams. It was replaced by “Arise, O Compatriots” in 1978.  “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” has officially been readopted on 29 May 2024. Click here to learn the lyrics.
  4. The Flag of Nigeria: Green White Green flag was officially hoisted on 1 October 1960, it was designed by Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi. The two green stripes represent natural wealth, and the white represents peace and unity.
  5. The Coat of Arms:  Created and adopted in May 1960. The Coat of Arms consists of Black shield and colorful wreath over the shield which stands for fertile soil of Nigeria; White horses mean dignity; Red Eagle is for the strength of the nation; White lines in the “Y” shape stand for two main rivers of Nigeria: Benue and Niger; Yellow Trumpet or Costus Spectabilis is the national flower of Nigeria. The flower is placed on the ground where the shield is standing. It represents the beauty of the country and its nation; “Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress” is the Nigerian national motto.
  6. Becoming a Republic: Although Nigeria gained independence from the United Kingdom on 1 October 1960, the nation retained the British monarch, Elizabeth II, as titular head of state until the adoption of a new constitution in 1963 declaring the nation a republic.
  7. Nigerian Currency: Nigeria introduced its own currency, the Nigerian pound, in 1958, replacing the British West African pound. The Nigerian pound was later replaced by the Naira in 1973.
  8. The Country’s Capital: Lagos was the national capital of Nigeria until the government’s December 1991 decision to move the capital to Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory, though Abuja was created by a decree in 1976.
  9. Heroes that championed the Independence:
  • Herbert Olayinka Macaulay: Often referred to as the “father of Nigerian nationalism,” Herbert Macaulay was a grandson of Ajayi Crowther, the first African Anglican Bishop of West Africa. He was one of the political leaders who strongly opposed colonial policies in Nigeria. In 1923, he founded Nigeria’s first political party, the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP), and in 1944, he co-founded the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) together with Nnamdi Azikiwe.
  •  Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe: He’s a prominent nationalist leader, was one of the driving forces behind Nigeria’s independence attainment in 1960. Azikiwe played a crucial role in inspiring nationalist sentiments through his writings and speeches. He used his chain of newspapers- the first of which was the West African Pilot – to promote nationalism and pro-African agenda. Azikiwe became Nigeria’s first President in 1960, he died in 1996 at 91 in Enugu.
  • Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo: He was a popular nationalist and statement, who contributed significantly to Nigeria’s independence struggle. As a member of the Nigerian Youth Movement, Awolowo represented Nigeria at the fifth Pan-African Congress in Manchester, a platform dedicated to advancing conversations on the decolonization of Africa. From 1952 to 1959, Awolowo served as the first Premier of the Western Region under Nigeria’s parliamentary system. He was the official Leader of the opposition in the federal parliament to the Balewa government from 1959 to 1963.
  •  Ahmadu Ibrahim Bello: Ahmadu Bello was a prominent leader from Northern Nigeria fondly referred to as the Sardauna of Sokoto. He was the leader of the Northern People’s Congress (NPC), a political party that represented the interests of the northern region. After his return from England, he was nominated to represent the province of Sokoto in the regional House of Assembly and subsequently became the first Premier of Northern Nigeria in 1954.
  • Anthony Eromosele Enahoro: Anthony Enahoro was a fearless anti-colonial and nationalist activist cum politician with a distinguished career in the press, politics and civil service. He moved the famous motion for Nigeria’s independence in 1953 at 30, followed it through by being a delegate to most of the constitutional conferences leading to Nigeria’s independence following sustained pressure from other activists and nationalists.
  • Ernest Ikoli: As the first editor of the Daily Times, Ernest Ikoli is remembered in Nigerian history as one of the pacesetters of Nigerian journalism and nationalism struggle. Ikoli co-founded the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) in 1934 to advocate for self-governance and independence from British colonial rule. Ikoli’s NYM promoted the welfare of Nigerians and advocated for self-rule. The political organization played a crucial role in the nationalist movement in Nigeria with its vigorous campaigns for the independence.

Despite challenges, Nigeria’s independence marked a significant turning point in its history, fostering a spirit of resilience and unity that continues to inspire generations.

Best Practices for Hiring Managers on Effective Recruitment

August 18, 2024 in Business, HR, Upskilling

Recruitment is a crucial aspect of building a strong and efficient team. As a hiring manager, your role in this process is pivotal. At Emerald Zone, we understand the challenges and intricacies involved in finding the right talent. To help you streamline your hiring process and achieve the best outcomes, we’ve compiled a set of best practices for effective recruitment.

  1. Clarify Roles Before Recruitment

Before you start the recruitment process, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of the role you are hiring for. This includes defining the responsibilities, required skills, and how the role fits within the organization. Clarity at this stage ensures that you attract candidates who are well-suited for the position and helps prevent misunderstandings later in the process.

Tip: Collaborate with team members and stakeholders to gain a comprehensive understanding of the role. Document the expectations and key performance indicators (KPIs) for the position.

  1. Always Provide a Detailed Job Description Alongside the Job Title

A well-crafted job description is a powerful tool in attracting the right candidates. It goes beyond just listing the job title and includes detailed information about the responsibilities, qualifications, and skills required for the role. A clear and concise job description helps potential candidates assess their suitability and interest in the position.

Tip: Highlight key aspects of the job, including daily tasks, long-term goals, and any unique opportunities the role offers. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon to ensure clarity.

  1. Give an Idea of the Ideal Candidate

While it’s important to describe the role, it’s equally crucial to provide an idea of the ideal candidate. This includes outlining the personal attributes, professional experiences, and specific skills that the ideal candidate should possess. By doing so, you set clear expectations and help candidates self-assess their fit for the position.

Tip: Include both essential and desirable attributes. For example, “The ideal candidate will have 5+ years of experience in project management and possess strong leadership skills. Experience in the tech industry is a plus.”

  1. Allocate Sufficient Time for the Hiring Process

Rushed hiring decisions often lead to poor outcomes. Allocate sufficient time to thoroughly review applications, conduct interviews, and assess candidates. A well-paced hiring process allows for careful consideration and ensures that you select the best possible candidate for the role.

Tip: Create a timeline for the hiring process that includes deadlines for each stage. Communicate this timeline to all stakeholders to ensure alignment and avoid unnecessary delays.

  1. Always Be on Time

Punctuality is a sign of respect and professionalism. As a hiring manager, being on time for interviews and meetings sets a positive tone for the recruitment process. It reflects well on your organization and shows candidates that you value their time and effort.

Tip: Schedule interviews and meetings with ample buffer time to account for any unexpected delays. Set reminders and alarms to ensure you stay on track.

For HR tips in video form visit our YouTube Channel, also check out our services on our website

Effective recruitment is a blend of strategic planning, clear communication, and respectful engagement. Emerald Zone, is dedicated to supporting hiring managers in implementing these best practices to attract and retain top talent. By following these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to building a high-performing and cohesive team.

Twitter vs Threads: Differences as of now

July 12, 2023 in Business, Professionalism, technology, Upskilling
The Competition between Twitter vs Threads has dominated the digital space in the last one week so much so that many are forced to learn more about it. Twitter the 16 year old micro blogging site got recently launched Thread as a threat to it. Created by Meta, the text-based conversation app lets people compose and share those messages in real-time. While it’s obvious that Threads is still a work in progress, there are several ways in which it adapts Twitter features for Instagram users. Here are some of its differences between Twitter vs Threads

Character Limit

Threads character limit is 500, while the Twitter character limit is just 280. This means you can share longer Threads than you can Tweets.

Account Opening

To open Twitter  account you sign up independently however for Threads you either scan the QR Code or Download the app and log in with your Instagram account details.

Account Deleting

You can delete your Twitter account any time without impacting any of your other social media account, however, you can only deactivate your Threads account  independently, to delete your Threads account means deleting your Instagram Account.

Availability 

Twitter has both mobile app and web versions while Threads as of now has only Mobile app version.

Verification (Colored checkmark by account ID)

Threads already have verified accounts (blue Checkmark), yes! that is because it is a carry over from Instagram all verified accounts on Instagram are verified on Threads. For Twitter Blue verification badge is paid for, while Government accounts and established organizations get grey and gold checks respectively, note these are unpaid.

Viewing & Engaging

Twitter’s homepage allows users to view what’s trending and other topics they may be interested in. For now, the only way to explore what’s on Threads is by scrolling through the home feed. Also on Threads, for now a user has to hit enter three times to start a thread however on Twitter it’s just a click of the plus button. 

The Activity tab of the Threads app lets you see who followed you, liked your posts, your replies and your tags. You can also view your replies directly on your profile page, though you can’t see a running log of posts you liked. Twitter has a similar notifications tab, plus you can see all your past likes through the dedicated Likes tab on your profile page. This is useful for, say, saving an article you want to read at a later time.

Messaging 

The difference in messaging features  Twitter vs Threads is simple: Twitter has in-app messaging, while Threads does not. Twitter’s messaging platform lets you communicate with mutual (or any user, depending on their privacy settings) in a few ways. You can send texts, images and GIFs, and even voice messages. Messages is a simple way to share a tweet with another user, too. While you can share a Thread with someone via text, there’s currently no in-app option besides tagging them in the comment section of the post. If you want to reach out a Threads user, your best bet is to try their Instagram DMs.

We are keenly watching the space for more updates as the rivalry of Twitter vs Threads is clearly delivering more value for users, meanwhile you can read other articles here 

Effective strategies for HR Marketing

May 17, 2023 in Business, HR, Marketing, Professionalism, Upskilling
What is Human Resources (HR)  Marketing?

HR Marketing is an important aspect of Human Resource Management, that entails marketing the company as a desirable place to work, attracting the best candidates, and increasing employee engagement.

HR Marketing may be used to acquire new customers, increase customer loyalty, and create the ideal mental picture of the firm in the minds of customers. At the same time, it may be used to recruit new human resources, increase employee loyalty, retain top talent, and create the necessary mental image of the organization in the minds of the talents.

HR Marketing is based on seeing human resources as a target market that requires attention to understanding their demands in order to serve them. and put tactics in place to increase their loyalty. HR Marketing is concerned with economic considerations as well as a person’s psychological state therefore it is correct to also define HR marketing as the use of marketing to manage human resources inside a business.

Here are some of the HR marketing strategies and approaches that businesses can employ:

  • Creating a strong employer brand: Businesses can highlight their company culture, values, and mission to create a positive image that attracts top talent. Participating in career fairs, promoting employee testimonials, and displaying workplace awards and recognition are all ways to build strong employer brand.
  • Using social media platforms: Social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter provide companies with access to a large pool of talent. Companies can use these platforms to promote employee testimonials, post job openings, and showcase their work culture. Social media also enables direct interaction with potential candidates and can help to build a positive brand image.
  • Employee referrals: Employee referrals are a powerful tool for attracting top talent. Employees are frequently the best advocates for their companies, and referrals from them are more likely to result in successful hires. Companies can encourage employees to refer others by rewarding or recognizing successful hires.
  • Providing an exceptional candidate experience: Throughout the recruitment process, companies must provide a positive candidate experience. This includes providing timely feedback, communicating clearly, and providing a positive candidate experience. A positive candidate experience can aid in the development of a positive employer brand and the attraction of more talent.
  • Increasing employee engagement: Employees who are engaged are more productive, motivated, and committed to their jobs. Companies can encourage employee engagement by creating a positive work environment, providing opportunities for professional development, and recognizing employee accomplishments. Employee engagement makes them more likely to be brand ambassadors for the company, which aids in attracting new talent.
  • Offering competitive compensation and benefits: Companies can attract and retain the best talent by offering competitive compensation and benefits. This consists of not only salary and bonuses, but also perks like time off flexibility, wellness programs, and opportunities for career advancement.

Finally, HR marketing is an important aspect of Human Resource Management. To attract and retain the best talent, businesses must develop a strong employer brand, use social media platforms, incentivize employee referrals, provide a positive candidate experience, foster employee engagement, and offer competitive compensation and benefits. Companies can create a positive brand image, attract the best talent, and retain their employees by implementing effective HR marketing strategies.

Building a good Professional ‘Self’ Esteem and Confidence

May 17, 2023 in Business, Inspiring, motivational, Upskilling

Self esteem, which has been identified as a determining factor on employees’ behavior both inside and outside the workplace and affecting performance, satisfaction, commitment, turnover, work motivation, and even civic behavior of workers, has a significant impact on many crucial results of employees (Campbell, 1990; Pierce and Gardner, 2004).

What is self-esteem? Self-esteem is a measure of how much a person values, appreciate or likes himself. In psychology, self esteem is used to describe an individuals overall personal value or self-worth. Because it affects our personal and professional relationships, decision-making, motivation levels, and general wellbeing, self-esteem plays a significant role in our lives

Importance of healthy Professional esteem in the work place

  1. A healthy level of self-esteem enables an employee to trust his/her judgement and also likely make better decision. This in turn helps to create more effective interpersonal and work relationships and hence excellence becomes an attribute of such employee.
  2. Employees with a healthy self-esteem contributes to a positive work culture. They make better colleagues and are more enjoyable to be around. They are not jealous of others’ success, rather, they celebrate and champion their team. They support those around them and everybody is happy to work together for a common goal.
  3. Those with a healthy level of self-esteem make peace with failure. They don’t crumble when things don’t work out. Rather, they recognize that failure happens, learn the lesson they can from it, and think of the next way forward.
  4. As a leader, healthy level of self-esteem enables a person to focus more positively on other people and their development to build a comfortable work environment.

Effects of low self-esteem in the work place

  1. Poor self esteem often leads to a fear of the new and unfamiliar and it can lead to unproductive work behaviors such as defensiveness, being overly compliant or rebellious.
  2. Poor self esteem (lack of confidence) often gets in the way of a good idea and leads to inactivity in the business world.
  3. Low self esteem makes us doubt our abilities and judgement and prevents us from taking calculated risks, setting ambitious goals and also working on it. People who suffer this problem often exhibits subconscious behaviors that undermine their success making them less likely to ask for or get promotions, raises and even jobs.
  4. Low self esteem can hinder employees from sharing their ideas with the teams, causing their companies to miss out on potential innovations.

How to improve professional esteem in your work place.

  1. Practice how you present yourself. People say dress the way you want to be addressed. The way you dress goes a long way to boost your confidence. This is because most people feel their best when they look their best. Your posture and Tone can also show your confidence. Sometimes, we tend to fidget or shrink both physically and with our voice when we are nervous. This behavior shows lack of confidence while further killing your self-esteem. Try to maintain a healthy posture while sitting, and speak up while talking during a meeting.
  2. Cut out negative self-talk or languages. While it may seem innocent and healthy to laugh at yourself, it hurts your confidence. Instead of putting little importance or lessening your intelligence or contributions, present your ideas and actions without questioning your worth. Rather than saying something like, “I know this idea is not good enough but let me just say it”, present yourself how an admired co worker would, without any self-depreciating humor. Take what makes you unsure, and imagine it as an advantage instead of an obstacle. Self-depreciating talks hurt your confidence and can impact how others perceive you. Don’t dwell on your weakness and focus on your strength.
  3. Challenge yourself (leave your comfort zone). A healthy self-esteem is not something that just appears. It is a gradual process. You probably wont walk into work one day and feel all your self-doubt and anxiety disappear. Instead, challenge yourself by setting goals that can help you build your confidence. For example, if you are shy and quiet during meetings, a goal you can set could be to share an idea during the session. Also, building a rapport with the people you work with can also boost your confidence.
  4. Attend professional development trainings. When you develop the skills with trainings, you rely on for your job, you can improve the way you perform your role, and this can have a positive influence in increasing your self-confidence.
  5. Focus on your strength. Focusing on your strength can help you boost your confidence because for you to do that, you need to measure your success and abilities. If you are one to always focus on your weakness, try, making a list of your strengths and abilities and a second list of your achievements. If you choose, you could always make a daily habit of reading them every morning or any time you need a confidence boost.

Most commonly used HR assessment methods

May 11, 2023 in Business, HR, Professionalism, Upskilling

Human Resources has a great deal of responsibility in a company; hence HR assessment needs deliberate and thoughtful protocols. For a business to grow, it needs to analyze what is working well in the company, and which areas require improvement, HR as a major part of the organization is no exemption.

Here are top 5 HR assessment methods.

#1: 360-degree feedback

This method requires the HR manager and assessor to collect feedback on an employee’s performance from everyone affiliated with them. The employee’s peers, reports, direct managers, and managers from other departments that the employee conferred with on a project, are all asked for their feedback on the employee’s performance, their work ethic, their deliverables, general competence, and their behavior.

The 360-degree feedback method ensures that the assessment system takes into account multiple points of view for a holistic report from in-house and remote working staff. And it is an important way to understand how an employee works within a company with the virtue of excellence. By speaking to everyone involved with a single individual, You can get insights into how they handle goals, stress, project management, and whether the person deserves to be moved into a leadership position.

✅❌ Pros and cons

The 360-degree feedback method gives the assessor a wholesome view of an employee’s abilities, not only in the professional arena but also as a yardstick for understanding interpersonal interactions. However, it can take a great deal of time and money to conduct the method, particularly if the company has a very large staff. The feedback one receives for each team will also have to be personalized to some level – the amount of physical labor produced in one department may not be comparable to another. One also needs to prioritize the areas of focus in the assessment – is it more important for employees to strive to achieve company goals or to create a collaborative environment? Weighing the analytics achieved from this method can take some trial and error but one can reach a standardized system with careful planning.

#2: Assessment center

The Assessment Centre Method takes HR assessment outside the confines of the office, often to a central location where managers, assessors, and employees can gather. In the Assessment Centre Method, individuals are asked to perform a series of tasks or are grouped together to perform tasks. Interestingly, this method was first created in the 1930s by the German army and has since been adapted for modern employment. In this method, assessors can examine very particular work-related skills that employees and applicants will need in a company by giving them exercises, conducting workshops, role-playing games, and simulations.

While this method can give HR managers a wealth of knowledge about the social and interaction skills of individuals, it does not give you any specific role-related data. Additionally, because of the competitive nature of the exercises, one may end up breeding an overly competitive environment that will overlap into company culture after the tests are complete. As a system for checking on interpersonal skills, the Assessment Centre Method has its benefits, but it should be paired with another assessment for more comprehensive results.

 ✅❌ Pros and cons 

 The Assessment Centre Method has its advantages – by taking employees out of the confinement of the workplace, one can see how they organically react to situations. However, as noted above, the competitive nature of this method can bring to the fore unhealthy behaviors – while that may be telling in and of itself, the employees then need to return to the workplace where the actions performed during this assessment may lead to resentment. This method should be carefully monitored and administered only alongside another method for the best results

#3: HR Cost accounting

Employees are a resource for businesses, just as capital and machinery are. In that sense, there needs to be an account of how much cost is going into maintaining human resources, and what kind of labor output is being gained in return. In the Human-Resource Cost Accounting Method, the HR managers are asked to look into how much is being spent on individual employees’ training, compensation, and development. HR managers then have to balance those costs against the productivity of the employees and whether the training and development programs have resulted in higher yield for the company. 

Not everything can be decided according to a money in-productivity out system, however- some employees bring more value to the company than just their labor. For example, a few employees may boost morale, others may have invaluable external contacts, and another group may show their teams how to work smart. This is a very cold and calculated way of looking at human capital, and should not be the sole assessment criteria used to determine the future of employees in companies.

 ✅❌ Pros and cons 

There is value to using the Human-Resource (Cost) Accounting Method – it does show you the kinds of gains and losses your human capital is bringing in. However, this is another method that takes time and energy – one needs to collate costs from across the company and compare it to what is being earned or lost per employee. A single error could mean the end of someone’s employment so this is not a foolproof method to rely on.

 #4: Management by Objectives (MBO)

Management by Objectives (MBO) was coined by Peter Drucker, author of several management books and well-known guru, and is one of the most popular assessment types used by HR managers. In this method, employees and managers sit together at the start of every year, or quarter, and outline goals and the processes needed to reach those goals for the next financial period. This assessment type is ideal for a collaborative environment and makes the interpersonal relationships between managers and subordinates much stronger. Setting achievable goals will motivate employees and make their work more easily measurable – such as a 10% increase in social media followers, or 15% more unique website views – and help to create more manageable monthly reports.

However, it is important to ensure that there are enough goals for an employee to be engaged and motivated, but not too many, as that will put undue pressure on the employee. This method yields strong results but fails to take in interpersonal and communication skills, so it should be paired with another method like the 360-Degree Feedback assessment.

 ✅❌ Pros and cons 

Almost all companies use the Management by Objectives (MBO) assessment method – the results are measurable and it gives employees dedicated targets to strive towards. It takes up the least amount of time for managers and HR teams and has had great results over the years. The MBO method has its advantages but it has been used by managers to give employees unreasonably high goals – almost punishing them for high achievements in the past. This should be noted and avoided as much as possible – employees shouldn’t feel afraid of achievement because they will be overburdened, as a result, in the following year.

#5: Field review

One of the more traditional assessment types is the Field Review Method. In this method, a person from the HR department shadows and assesses an employee to evaluate their working styles, effectiveness, and output. This method can be labor-intensive, especially for HR as they will need to take a significant amount of time out of their schedules to study the employee. Additionally, the HR team may not have a thorough understanding of another department’s methods or their work – this will make assessment tricky.

However, if the HR team is concerned that employees would otherwise not be getting an unbiased review from their managers or peers, the Field Review Method can be effective. This method needs to be seriously considered before implementation so that the results are as accurate as necessary.

✅❌ Pros and cons 

The Field Review Assessment method is rarely used in the modern workplace setting- with larger corporations becoming the norm, it isn’t possible for HR teams to perform this process. However, this system could have merits in smaller, controlled environments – as long as it is paired with a more thorough and efficient, as outlined above.

EXCELLENCE IS A VIRTUE

April 22, 2023 in Business, Co-Working Space, Focus, motivational, Upskilling

All through the historical past, both individuals and communities have treasured excellence. It is a characteristic that implies extraordinary talent, skill, and efficiency in a specific area. Whether it be in sporting events, works of art, academics, or any other type of field, people strive for excellence.

Excellence is not a fixed characteristic that can be attained relatively quickly. Instead, it is a never-ending quest for advancement and development. It is a mode of thought that requires a blend of expertise, sheer determination, self-control, and persistence. It’s not something that can be given to someone; quite often, it has to be achieved via perseverance and commitment.

Pursuing excellence necessitates a considerable amount of effort and diligence. Becoming satisfactory at doing something is not sufficient; one should always make an effort to achieve excellence. It entails going above and beyond one’s limits and constantly striving to make improvements. Pursuing excellence necessitates embracing challenges, risk-taking, and gaining insight through errors.

3 Key components of Excellence:

  • Discipline is an integral part of excellence. To achieve the highest standards in any field, you must be disciplined enough to practice frequently, concentrate, and away from distractions. Discipline is not a human characteristic; it is acquired through deliberate awareness and reinforcement. It necessitates the ability to effectively prioritize and manage time, establish achievable objectives, as well as hold oneself fully responsible.
  • Doggedness would be another essential component of excellence. It’s also not sufficient to have the talent or skills to excel in a specific area. One must also be resilient in the face of adversity, setbacks, and failure. Persistence is the willingness to get back up after being knocked down, to persevere when things get tough, and to never give up on one’s goals and dreams.
  • Setting high standards for oneself is also part of being exceptional. It entails striving for excellence in all aspects of one’s life rather than settling for underachievement or average performance. Lofty ambitions necessitate a dedication to lifelong learning, staying up to date on the latest trends in one’s profession, and actively seeking constructive criticism as well as feedback.

At Emerald Zone, it is a virtue we hold dearly it is one of our Core Values, and it is at the core of the services we render from our Co-working spaces to Recruitment, Sales and Marketing services.

To sum it all up, excellence is a virtue that combines talent, sheer determination, self-control, and perseverance in the face. It necessitates a dedication to constant improvement as well as a capacity to embrace difficulties and conquer barriers. The dedication to the achievement of excellence necessitates high standards, perseverance, and a keen interest in contributing to society. Whether in sporting events, the arts, academics, or any other field, it is an objective that people work hard for, and it’s an intrinsic attribute that people and communities alike value and celebrate.

Code Zone 2022 ends with an ovation from Parents and Participants

September 14, 2022 in Business, Gallery, technology, Training, Upskilling

Code Zone 2022, the annual summer coding program for teens and pre-teens, with this being the fourth edition successfully came to an end on August 31, 2022 and it was amidst a standing ovation from parents and participants of the program.

Before the commencement of the program this year we had significant support from the media Business Day, The Nation Independent, Business Traffic, Trust Africa News, Business Watch

The one month long program that started on August 1st 2022 had  participants register for HTML, CSS & JavaScript classes. Most of the participants had no knowledge of what coding entails neither had they used a code editor before, however within the space of one month they were able to showcase their learnings by presenting website designs in their areas of interest. This year the areas of interest for our participants cut across, Games, Sports, Food, Books, Fashion, Skincare, Movies.

L-R Bolu Babatunde Instructor, Olufunke Akinloye Founder Code Zone for Teens & Pre Teens, Michael Umoren Lead Instructor, Anthony Achoba Instructor at the closing presentation of Code Zone 2022

L-R Bolu Babatunde Instructor, Olufunke Akinloye Founder Code Zone for Teens & Pre Teens, Michael Umoren Lead Instructor, Anthony Achoba Instructor at the closing presentation of Code Zone 2022

Olufunke Akinloye, initiator Code Zone, said ‘Every year we feel privileged to have the opportunity to make impact and sow seeds of greatness in the lives of the young ones. Some of our previous participants have become professionals in programming because they upskilled further after the program, this gives us so much joy’.

Code Zone 2022 Final Presentation Day

Code Zone 2022 Final Presentation Day

She also went on to say ‘One of the reasons we have been consistent with quality output showcased through participants’ presentations year on year is the commitment of our instructors led by Michael Umoren and for this we are so grateful’

Emmanuel Olley, 14 a participant of Code Zone 2022 said he enjoyed participating in the program, as he has learnt a lot about HTML & CSS, he has been able to bring his area of interest to life through his project called Diamond wears.

Code Zone 2022 Virtual and In-Person Participants

L-R Bolu Babatunde Instructor, Olufunke Akinloye Founder Code Zone for Teens & Pre Teens, Michael Umoren Lead Instructor, Anthony Achoba Instructor at the closing presentation of Code Zone 2022

Feranmi Ojo, 18, another participant in the JavaScript class, interested in Skin Care expressed gratitude to her parents for registering her for the coding program. She said she has learnt so much building on the limited HTML knowledge she had before joining the program. Now within one month she has mastered HTML, CSS & fast becoming pro in JavaScript.

Accolades from parents were numerous during the closing presentation as they expressed how impressed they are. Mr Fadero a parent of one of the participants said he is amazed how much his son had learnt within the one month of enrolling in the program and he intends to support his child by encouraging him to continue to practice even though the program has ended.

Mrs Gbadebo, another parent with two kids enrolled in the program said ‘One of the things I really appreciate about the program is how intentional the instructors are about supporting the children to acquire the skill, only one of my son was in the program last year, but with what the sister saw him do she insisted she will join the program this year, I cannot say thank you enough to the organizers’.

Code Zone 2022 Participant Presentation

Code Zone 2022 Participant Presentation

Participants Presentation

Participants Presentation

Code Zone 2022 had 3 classes hold simultaneously for the one month and just like previous editions they associate each class with programming veterans. The HTML & Cascading Style Sheet in-person class was called Team Wium Lie named after Hakon Wium Lie, a Norwagian web pioneer best known for developing Cascading Style Sheet. The HTML & CSS Virtual class was called Team Berners Lee named after Tim Berners Lee, an English computer scientist best known as an inventor of World Wide Web. The JavaScript Virtual class was called Team Gosling named after James Gosling, best known as the founder and lead designer of Java programming Language.

Class in session

Class in session

Raising Stars through coding

Raising Stars through coding

Emerald Zone has always been proud to power Code Zone annually, as a business advisory organization involved in supporting businesses in areas such as Human Resources, Sales, and Marketing etc. and fully involved in training professionals in various fields, we have taken this as our Social project to upskill the young generation in readiness for the future they are growing into’ said Dapo Akinloye Chief Executive, Emerald Zone. ‘We are indeed proud of what all the children have been able to accomplish and we encourage them to build on what they have learnt with an intention to be the best in what they choose to do.

Teenagers should learn to Code

November 18, 2021 in Business, technology, Training, Upskilling

Why Teenagers should learn to code

There are a number of reasons why teenagers should learn to code some of which can start paying off immediately, while others hold their value for the long term.

To fill a gap

School is required. School is valuable. But most schools also haven’t come around to offering computer science courses. Unfortunately, though, coding is no longer a “nice to have” reserved as a selective skill for only the extremely dedicated to chase and learn on their own. It’s now something that is arguably more crucial to a well-rounded education, since ideally, “education” exists to prepare students for success in the real world.

So, teens should seek out coding classes and learn to code because the opportunity to do so is not going to come to them in the traditional school setting.

To get a leg up

If teens go out and seek to do something not available to most of their peers, they are going to stand out when compared to others. And one of the most important times that comparison happens is when it comes to college applications.

I mean, any extracurricular is typically going to bolster a college application, as it shows a student is taking initiative to take on more, and to develop alternative skills. But even beyond that, students who possess coding skills in particular can be reasoned to be logic-based problem solvers, or persistent and resilient challenge-tacklers who aren’t easily pushed off course by bugs or hurdles.

The benefits only snowball from there—those who seek to solve problems are often forced to communicate and work with others, and then are able to lead and teach once tasks are mastered, and so on.

To secure a lucrative career

First comes the opportunity, then comes college, and then of course, the ultimate goal, a career that pays well, is enjoyable, and has a noticeable impact on the general public.

Coding can very much be that career! While it’s up to the coder to decide whether or not coding is actually enjoyable and something they like doing, there isn’t any denying that a career rooted in coding is a lucrative one (the computer science major is one of the highest paying college majors available), and is something that is required and utilized throughout each and every day across the world.

In fact, there are a number of different coding languages that are used in order to make all of these things a reality.

Teens Coding

Teens can code

Coding languages for teens to consider

JavaScript

Teens who are interested in web development and want to create front-end applications should consider JavaScript. It’s popular, and native to most web browsers, making it a very relevant and in-demand language when it comes to creating interactive web apps.

Quick fact: Netflix, PayPal, and a number of other recognizable web products lean on JavaScript (and the Node.js runtime environment, specifically). 

Start now: JavaScript Coding powered by MIT Open Learning | Teen Tech

Read more: Web Design for Kids

Python

A great beginner’s language, teens can use Python to get their ideas up and running relatively quickly, given that Python requires fewer lines of code than other languages! Python is used by Google, Disney, other big brands, and can be utilized to develop video games, numeric computing projects, and web frameworks. Python is also flexible enough for use in cybersecurity and AI!

Beginners can expect to get started creating something like a text-based game, two-dimensional game, cybersecurity program, or console application.

Resources: Online python tutoring available now

C++

This is a versatile programming language that if mastered, will open the door to complex problem solving and a true understanding of how programs work. Teens might be most familiar with C++ as the language that is used to create computer applications. Thus, C++ is a time-intensive and complex language, but necessary for those interested in game programming.

Teens ready to get started can learn more about C++ tutoring. 

Java

While Java might be easily confused with JavaScript, each language offers vastly different approaches, and they are used to accomplish a variety of different tasks. Teens who are familiar with and want to create Android apps will need to learn Java, and the language is also great for those interested in creating game engines and large backend environments, as well as those wanting to get into Minecraft modding.

Teens Coding

Teens Coding

C#

If augmented reality is of interest, teens should consider diving into C#. By combining C# coding and Unity (the industry-standard game development engine), teens learn to use next-level sending and imaging tech to create their own mobile games!

Quick fact: Augmented reality is an interactive experience where digital objects are placed in a real-world environment in real-time. 

Hands-on coding tools for teens

With something new and seemingly complex like coding, it might be useful for teens to get familiar with the tools and “toys” at their disposal, in order to make coding – and coding creations – more tangible.

micro:bit

The micro:bit is a small programmable computer more formally known as a microcontroller development board. It allows users to create awesome inventions. In addition to creating basic programs, teens can also use the device to develop games and solve real-world problems.

Sphero RVR

The Sphero RVR allows teens the opportunity to jump into autonomous robotics (which refers to robots that can be programmed to perform tasks on their own). The Sphero RVR is highly customizable and has many built-in sensors, a professional-level control system, and a powerful motor paired with all-terrain treads.

ProtoType HARP

Prototype HARP is an escape room style hardware game you have to “hack” to solve using cryptography and critical thinking skills. (HARP stands for hardware alternate reality puzzle.)

Arduino

An Arduino is a microcontroller, perfect for prototyping, and popular among teens who want to create new electronic devices and integrate sensors for something like an autonomous robot that understands and navigates its environment.

VEX

VEX is a popular, exciting, robotics platform designed for teens to build a wide variety of robots. Features includes sensors, which gather information for the robot, and motors, which allow users to create moving parts, like wheels and claw arms.

PyCharm

PyCharm is an Integrated Development Environment or IDE. You can think of it as a notepad in which to write programs.

TensorFlow

TensorFlow is a Google-developed library that makes it easier to create and train machine learning models and neural networks.

Quick fact: Machine learning allows computers to learn and improve at a given time with practice over time.  Learn more about machine learning for kids. 

IntelliJ

To start writing and running code in Java, teens can use IntelliJ, which is also an integrated development environment.

Visual Studio

Speaking of IDEs, Visual Studio is Microsoft’s integrated development environment. Teens can use Visual Studio for computer program development, allowing them to create websites as well as web and mobile apps.

MicroPython

As spelled out on micropython.org, “MicroPython is a lean and efficient implementation of the Python 3 programming language that includes a small subset of the Python standard library and is optimized to run on microcontrollers and in constrained environments.”

For instance, out at our robotics summer camps, MicroPython is used with Arduino to control the camera of an autonomous and self-driving robot, and sends information based on the camera readings to initiate commands in the Arduino programming language.

Coding by Teens

Coding by Teens

Coding project examples

When starting something new, a common piece of advice you’ll often receive is to go “step by step” or “one step at a time,” “walk before you run,” etc.

It’s all true, and great advice. But it doesn’t mean you can’t look ahead or around you at the same time. A perfect time to do so is when figuring out an end goal. Why coding? What does your teen want to do with it? What can they do with it?

So, here are a few example projects that combine a lot of what has already been explained above with languages and tools.

For instance, combining micro:bit and Javascript, teens can learn how to program games and then play them on their own or with friends—something like a falling fruit catcher as shown here!

Speaking of games, any game player is familiar with the famous side-scroller, made popular by titles like Super Mario Bros., Double Dragon, and others. And how about the endless runner? Sonic Dash and Super Mario Run are newer examples, made popular as mobile apps. With Java, 2D jump physics, and more, teens can make their own side-scrolling endless runner!

Switching gears to Augmented reality, AR is an interactive experience where digital objects are placed in a real-world environment in real-time. Recently, Augmented Reality technology has boomed due to applications and games that have made it more accessible to everyone.

Teens interested in creating their own AR games with C# can look to the massively-popular Pokémon Go for inspiration. Other AR app examples include Snapchat’s filters, and visualization experiences like IKEA’s Place app, which allows shoppers to virtually place furniture they’re considering in their homes (or, within/on top of photos of their homes) to see how it looks!

And then how about a game built with machine learning? Experiments with Google is a rabbit hole of fun, and one of the things you might come across is this drawing game where a neural network guesses what you’re drawing. It’s pretty amazing how accurate the guesses are, even when you’re terrible at drawing like me!

Last, for a hands-on, competitive endeavor, how about a little battle bot action? With VEX Coding Studio and VEX C++ (the robotics coding language), teens can customize and wire a robot base, and then put it through user-piloted obstacle course challenges and mazes, or stacking and object-moving activities, and more.

The time to code is now for TEENS

Something can’t be called cliche if it’s accurate, that’s my rule. So, seriously, if teens want to be able to get all they can out of learning to code, the time is now. Jumping in today will allow them to reap maximum benefits from all that coding has to offer.

And there is good news and bad news. The bad news is that opportunities to learn to code aren’t just going to fall into anyone’s lap. Teens who get up and go to school, then to baseball practice, and then home every single day may not ever be exposed to a coding opportunity.

The good news, though, is that opportunities are plentiful, but they need to actively searched for. Perhaps it’s an online coding course over the weekend, or a weeklong coding camp during the summer. You can even get the ball rolling by downloading a coding app, or watching a YouTube tutorial.

Either way, best of luck! Here are a few additional resources to help your teen get started.

Online coding resources

In-person coding courses and programs

Online learning

Coding Blogs & Organizations

Coding Tools & Toys

Co-working Space and its many Benefits

October 5, 2021 in Business, Co-Working Space, Professionalism, Training, Upskilling, Workspace

Co Working Spaces

Co-working space simply explained, is a commercial work environment where diverse groups of independent, hardworking & dedicated professionals such as techies, writers, freelancers and remote workers, work together in a shared communal setting for effective and productive use of their time.

It’s been proven over and over that the use of co working space is very beneficial to the users despite the fact that strangers have alongside each other in the workspace environment.

Emerald Zone as a co-working space provider for some years now following customer testimonials and tangible evidence alongside local and international has compiled the benefits of using co working space to customers.

Here are a quick summary of the benefits of using the co-working space

  • Since users of co working space work for different organizations and have varied interest, there is little or no competition nor internal politics. It strengthens the confidence and identity of the worker as they feel distinct and unique.
  • Co working spaces are focused on entrenching and strengthening values such as collaboration, learning and sustainability. It is supposed to be a norm that workers help each other as they all have different skill set and can support each other in the work space community.
  • Workspace provide amenities that may not be available in some office settings nor in many homes for those that Work from Home, neither do freelancers have easy access to such things as Conference Room, Meeting Room, Work out space etc
  • The opportunity to network with other professionals is one of the great benefits of co working space. Being surrounded with goal oriented and high achieving professionals and ensuring one is truly present among them by engaging and interacting surely has its way of strengthening the individual’s network.
  • Co working can increase productivity as it takes away the Work from Home distraction and because it’s facility that is paid for, users take their whole self to work so that they can get value for their money alongside the motivation they get from seeing other professionals operating at the top of their game. This also gives a sense of belonging as opposed to the feeling of loneliness that customers experience from Working From Home.
  • Happiness they say is a choice, the vibe a co working space gives often enhance happy feeling among users. The positivity of thinking about the possibility of connecting to the next great opportunity or the next big thing. The feeling of being among those that make things happen in diverse ways. The feeling of catching a snack with a stranger that can turn out to be a homie in a few more connect does bring forth the feeling of happiness and this impacts on work done from co working space.
  • Using a co-working space tend to give the user an opportunity to learn something new. It could be a new skill, a fashion style, personal space facelift, healthy lifestyle habits, gaming platform etc Many at times users may have come across the information but may never have used it until they are in close proximity with another user hence they get positively influenced to try out new things.

Emerald Zone is has been providing workspace that meets the needs of users from Personal space to private offices that can take from 3 to 10  people as well as training & conference room suitable for up to 70 people. Emerald Zone has workspace facilities located in different areas within Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria all strategically within serene environments that enhance concentration and productivity. The rates are friendly and the amenities are amazing so to make more enquiries you can visit on ezonelagos on Instagram or Facebook, you can also call 08038095408 or email info@emeraldzone.com.ng

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