Adepoju Abiodun is Google Student Ambassador STAR
Adepoju Abiodun recently emerged as the STAR Google Student Ambassador of the class of 2012 in Sub-Saharan Africa. Jidaw learnt that Adepoju also known as “Biggy” on campus is a Google Student Ambassador from University of Ibadan in Nigeria. He is currently pursuing a B.SC in computer science.
Adepoju was recognized as the Star ambassador during the just concluded Google Student Ambassador Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. It was the first Google Student Ambassador summit in Africa attracting students from over 100 African universities coming together in Nairobi, Kenya for orientation and training.
Youth Contribution
Jidaw notes that Google informed him and the computer science department of the University of Ibadan, that he achieved this feat because of his “amazing contribution for leading the university to emerge in the top 100 in the 2011 global Google online marketing challenge; leading the digital mapping of the university and conducting mapping training for Ondo State government officials, introducing the university to the Google Apps Supporting program and working with Google to ensure that the university community comes online, being the first student to be officially appointed as a Google Mapping Advocate for Nigeria and becoming a mentor and a total inspiration to students across Africa. Indeed Jidaw and members of the IT community commend him on these accomplishments which occurred within his one year tenure as the first Google Student Ambassador for the University of Ibadan.
According to Google, the Student Ambassador program is one of a variety programs Google runs with universities in Africa to support “research, technological innovation, and capacity building – on both an individual and institutional basis”.
With this recognition, Google has invited Adepoju to visit the Google Headquarters in Mountain View, California, United States between Sunday July 29th and Wednesday August 1st. Google will facilitate the trip and cover all his travel costs. During this stay at the Google Headquarters, he will attend the North America Google Student Ambassador summit where he will engage with North American students and he will also meet with the Geo team that is responsible for community mapping.
Reactions from the IT community have been positive.
President of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) Demola Aladekomo intends to honour him during the NCS Presidents’ nite in Uyo which is on Thursday 26th July 2012, during the 2012 NCS Conference.
Some fellows of NCS noted that “There is no doubt that our students are intelligent and capable. It’s a sign of what is possible if we commit to excellence”.
A university student, leader, enthusiastic about technology and Google? Google Student Ambassadors are university students who work closely with local Google teams to organize events, help promote new products and services and spread the Google message on and off campus. Beyond pushing the online search giants Jidaw expects that this initiative will promote youth innovation and enhance the contributions of young people to their communities. According to Google, “ Biggy’s ability to think “big” has not only allowed him to be a successful Student Ambassador but has given him tools and resources to have a profound impact on his community”.
Jidaw congratulates Adepoju! Adepoju, your achievement serves to inspire so many other students and lecturers, We congratulate commend Professor Nike Osofisan, Head of University of Ibadan’s Computer Science Department, members of the department and the larger university community for producing the first Google Student Ambassador Star from Nigeria. Young? Nigerian? If Adepoju Abiodun can do it, so can you! The young will create a better, greater Nigeria.
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Wow! What can you get from a professor that is full of innovation like my great Professor Nike Osofisan. Biggy ride-on man we got your back and keep putting University of Ibadan,Nigeria on world map….Cheers