In Nigeria: A Youth corper has made a great step in easing NYSC problems

A young graduate of Computer Science, Onyeka Kelvin Onyema, came up with a digital software for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Surulere, Lagos.

Onyeka Kelvin Onyema, 25, was among the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC Batch 14B) members that passed out recently in Lagos State. With code number, LA/14B/3303, he served in Surulere Local Government Area, where he installed the Corps members Information System into a computer that captured the personal information, pictures and profiles of all corps members serving in the area, Campus Sun reports.

Onyema, a 2014 graduate of Computer Science from the Delta State University (DELSU), said that he came up with the package to reduce the time spent on flipping through heaps of old files before one could access information on corps members. He said the software guarantees that no data was lost to system errors by making multiple back-ups of all files.

He explained that he was moved to initiate the project when he observed that the local government NYSC secretariat operated manual data management system.

“The data management system there was actually poor. There was a day an INEC official came around to ask for a dubious corps member. All he had was the state code and name of the corps member. They needed the profile of the corps member to investigate him but the secretariat only brought out heaps of files. It made a tedious task searching through volumes of files to get the information. Since I was a Computer Programmer, I thought of a data management system that would be preferable and faster”, he said.

Onyema said he spent over two months on the project, noting that the interface was made in such a way that users could easily understand it. Since there was no computer system at the Surulere NYSC secretariat, he sought for sponsors to help him purchase one to install the software for use. According to him, two sponsors, Mr Ogonna Arinzechi and Mrs Shittu, helped him to purchase the computer sytem that he later donated to the local government.

“The software is quite easy to use. It has multiple back-ups, which ensure that no data is lost. I called it Corps Members Information System. I conceived it and executed it as a project and commissioned it on June 9. It is actually in use now”, he said.

The special features of the package, he said, make it easy to access information on NYSC members within the local government, including corps members registration numbers, pictures stored in data base, state code, call-up number, place of primary assignment, course of study, community development group, among others.

While commissioning the facility, the Head of ICT, NYSC in the area, Mrs Itohan wEhinwenma, who represented the NYSC Lagos State Director, Mr Cyril Akhanemhe, commended Onyema for the innovation, noting that the new data management system had given a boost to electronic registry unit at the state secretariat. She also appealed to other local government offices to employ the software to enhance speed and efficiency on data management.

Although Onyema had good knowledge of Computer programming that makes him employable, he said that he has not gotten any job offer yet. In fact, when this reporter asked him about getting a job, his smiling face turned gloomy.

“I want to work with an IT company but I have not got any offer yet. I want to work as a programmer”, he said.

He advised students, especially those studying Information System or Computer related courses, not to misuse the knowledge they have acquired to wreck havoc on the society, but to make themselves worthy partners in nation-building.