GDG DevFest 23— Ilorin: As it happened
The sun rose over the vibrant city of Ilorin on the 21st of October, 2023, heralding the arrival of an event that tech enthusiasts had been eagerly awaiting. Devfest 2023, the annual celebration of all things tech, commenced at 9:00 AM at the esteemed Roemichs Hall, located on Ajase-Ipo Road, Offa Garage, Ilorin, Kwara State.
The air was filled with anticipation as attendees from various corners of the tech world gathered to embark on a day of discovery, inspiration, and networking. The venue was buzzing with the promise of innovation, and the energy in the air was palpable.
As the clock struck 10:30 AM, our remarkable hosts, Mercy Idowu and Adekunle Oyedeji S., took the stage and began by introducing the esteemed guests, setting the tone for a day of knowledge sharing and innovation.
The stage was then graced by Areous A. Ahmad Event organizer, the GDG Ilorin Lead. With a resounding keynote, Areous set the stage, providing attendees with a clear vision of what Devfest represents. He warmly welcomed all participants, including the dedicated volunteers, organizers, and accomplished speakers who had gathered to make the event a resounding success. He welcomed everyone to Devfest Ilorin 2023.
Following this impactful opening, the hosts introduced the next keynote speaker, Adeola Olaleye, a software engineer and tech community advocate with over 5 years of experience. Adeola, who currently works as a backend engineer at Seamlesshr, leads the WTM Ilorin chapter as the WTM ambassador. She delivered a powerful message on “The Community’s Contribution and Impact.”
Adeola emphasized the importance of continuous progress rather than pursuing perfection. Her insights on how consistency leads to significant impact left the audience in awe. The resounding applause that followed her session attested to the inspiration she had shared.
Her Slides : The Community’s Contribution and Impact
Ibrahim Zulkifli, Co-founder at Nocode Academy, took the stage to delve into the world of no-code development. He provided a captivating perspective on “No-Code: Empowering Founders.” Ibrahim underscored the significance of starting with no-code tools, emphasizing that they offer founders the agility and speed needed to validate their product ideas.
His message was crystal clear: “If you have a startup idea, now is the time to act on it. No-Code tools won’t magically make your idea better, but they will get you out of the starting gate.” The attendees’ overwhelming applause echoed the enthusiasm with which they received his insights.
His slide : No-Code: Empowering Founders.
Following the invigorating session with Ibrahim Zulkifli, our hosts, Mercy Idowu and Adekunle Oyedeji S., introduced yet another stellar speaker: Memunat Manzuma. Her session was a deep dive into “Harnessing Technology for Economic Growth in Nigeria.” Memunat addressed the challenges, presented viable solutions, and outlined effective strategies for leveraging technology in the context of economic development. The audience responded with overwhelming applause, clearly inspired by her vision.
Her slide : Harnessing Technology for Economic Growth in Nigeria
The final keynote speaker of the day was none other than Sodiq Akinjobi, a distinguished figure in the tech world serving as Dev Rel at Google. Sodiq delivered a powerful message, titled “Don’t chase clout; make impact.” He emphasized the importance of making tangible and meaningful contributions, rather than merely seeking attention or recognition.
Sodiq’s session provided valuable insights on how to focus on actions and expertise. His message resonated deeply with the audience, resulting in a thunderous applause that filled the hall.
His slide : Don’t chase clout; make impact.
As the day progressed, Adeosun Abiola, a visual and product designer, took the stage to share his expertise on “Creative Leverage.” He delved into the art of using resources and information to gain power in your work. His session also touched on imposter syndrome and ways to reverse engineer it, helping attendees find fulfillment in their journey of growth. The audience’s applause demonstrated their appreciation for the valuable insights shared.
His slide : Creative Leverage.
The event continued with Victoria Abiodun, a software developer, blockchain writer, and educator, who explored the fascinating world of blockchain in her session, “Blockchain: The Future of Trust.” Victoria explained how blockchain functions, its significance in security, and how it fosters trust in the digital realm.
She left attendees with a resounding message, stating, “Blockchain is the future of trust, and we are fortunate to witness its growth and development.” The applause that followed her session was a testament to the compelling nature of her talk.
Her slide : Blockchain: The Future of Trust.
Sofwan Lawal, a seasoned Software Engineer with over 8 years of experience, brought his expertise to the forefront with a compelling session on “Minimising Correlated Failures in Complex Systems.” He shed light on the intricacies of complex system overloads and how to efficiently manage them through distributed computing. His insights on handling correlated failures within complex systems left the attendees deeply engaged and appreciative, as evidenced by their enthusiastic applause.
His slide : Minimising Correlated Failures in Complex Systems
The event took an exciting turn as the hosts introduced a game of “Techies Charade.” Attendees eagerly participated, and the victorious groups were rewarded with coveted Devfest swag. Laughter, camaraderie, and the thrill of the game filled the room, enhancing the sense of community and fun at Devfest.
Habeeb Azeez, a seasoned product designer, took the stage to share his wisdom in a session titled “Balancing Act: Navigating Design Trends and Timeless Principles.” He discussed the importance of understanding and balancing design trends with timeless design principles. Habeeb’s closing statement resonated deeply: “Great designers don’t ignore design trends; they study and understand them to better their work.” The attendees expressed their appreciation with hearty applause.
His slide : Balancing Act: Navigating Design Trends and Timeless Principles.
Kolapo Imam, the CEO of Jobs Cabal, offered valuable insights in his session on “Leveraging Human Networks for Product & Career Success.” Kolapo emphasized how human networks serve as the backbone of innovation and career acceleration. He highlighted the trust people place in recommendations from friends and family, with a staggering 92% rating. The applause that followed his talk was a testament to the significance of human networks in the tech industry.
As the day drew to a close, all attendees and speakers gathered outside for group photos, capturing the shared memories of Devfest 2023. With a delightful spread of food, fostering a sense of togetherness and camaraderie that perfectly encapsulated the spirit of the tech community.
The day at Devfest was far from over after the delightful meal. Attendees returned to the hall for a panel session anchored by Adeola Olaleye, featuring two distinguished speakers:
- Joshua Promise Omobola: A Developer Relations Engineer serving various campus communities.
- Imam Bashir Abdulwahab: An experienced Cyber Security Community/Program Manager.
The panel discussed “Tech Horizons: Trends, Innovations, and Security in a Diverse World.” Their insights further enriched the event, sparking thought-provoking conversations among the audience.
Following the panel session, the hosts introduced Google Crowdsource speakers, Abdulaziz Akanbi and Awodi Abdulmujeeb. Together, they shed light on “Google Crowdsource and its Impact in the Community.” The information shared resonated with the audience and highlighted the significance of community-driven initiatives.
The event took an interactive turn as Muhammed Yahaya hosted a fireside chat with three prominent speakers:
- Adetunji Ogunyemi Jacob: A frontend developer and instructor at Malhub.
- Taofeeqah Bello: A product designer at Sysbeams.
- Abdulrasaq Mustapha: A Fullstack Engineer with years of experience in the dynamic fintech industry.
The discussion revolved around “Tech Trends and Innovations: A Diverse Perspective.” The varied experiences and perspectives of the speakers provided a holistic view of the tech world.
Devfest 2023 concluded with an array of workshops, offering attendees a chance to delve deeper into specific tech domains:
- AI Workshop by Monsur Hussain: Focused on “Balancing Technology and Social Impact in the AI Era.”
- Mobile Workshop by AbdulHameed Quadri: Centered on “Design Systems for Mobile: Building a Component Library with Storybook.”
- Web Workshop by Adeniji Oluwaferanmi: Explored “Designing for Scale: Microservices, Caching, and API Best Practices in Wallet Systems.”
A Grateful Acknowledgment
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the event organizers, whose tireless efforts and dedication made Devfest 2023 a remarkable success:
- Areous A. Ahmad
- Kamaldeen Kehinde
- Ibraheem Zulkifli
- Ahmed Olanrewaji
- Adeola Grace
- Mohammed Yahaya
- Dare Akolade
- Mubarakat
- Imam Bashir
- Abdulaziz Akanbi
We also wish to express our appreciation to our esteemed media partners:
- Lascot Studios
- Dasilva Media House
Salute to Our Devfest Volunteers
A massive shoutout to our dedicated volunteers, without whom this event wouldn’t have been possible:
- Awodi Abdulmujeeb
- Samuel Happiness
- Aideyan Blessing
- Adedeji Moyinoluwa
- Yusuf Afolabi
- Sulaiman Dexter
- Agbana Elizabeth
- Femi Obadimu
- Tolu Johnson
- Hazze Dale
- Oyedeji Adekunle
- David
- Preserve
- Hikmah
- Devsuite
- Muhammad
- Mary
- Anjola
- Opatola
- Abdulrasaq
- Mariam
- Fareedah
- Hassan
- Daniel
- Adam
Devfest 2023 was a day filled with knowledge, networking, and inspiration, thanks to the collective efforts of all those involved. We look forward to continuing this journey of innovation and community growth.
Photo Album
https://photos.app.goo.gl/8ZLtdYS2xMSwes1t9
