It’s not every Saturday you find yourself immersed in a world of creativity, resilience, and groundbreaking ideas. On November 16, 2024, Rubies Technologies hosted RubiesFest 2024, the grand finale of a three-day event celebrating innovation, achievements, and growth as a tech organization dedicated to equipping young minds with tech knowledge for global relevance.
The event commenced with a prayer, followed by an introductory remark by the founder, Miss Temiloluwa Afape, who underscored the importance of RubiesFest as a platform to honor the achievements of young tech enthusiasts trained through the organization and its foundation arm. She also took the opportunity to acknowledge the unwavering support of staff and volunteers who have contributed immensely to the success of these initiatives.
Distinguished guests graced the occasion, including Mrs. Ifeoma Abidoye, a corporate strategist and Chairman of the ceremony; Mr. Chukudi Unwachuku, representing Python Nigeria; Ms. Mary Abiodun, a seasoned digital marketer; Mr. Adedamola Adedapo; and Ms. Yewande Adisa from CivicHive. Their presence underscored the event’s importance and its alignment with broader tech industry goals.
The celebration focused on three major milestones: the graduation of 21 girls from the Girls Tech Bootcamp (GTB) 2024, recognition of achievements by students of Rubies Code School, and Rubies Technologies’ end-of-year program. The GTB graduates proudly showcased the skills they had honed over six months of intensive training, while the Rubies Code School segment served to appreciate the dedication of students and the steadfast support of their parents.
One of the most captivating moments was the project presentations by the GTB girls. These young talents demonstrated impressive technical skills and innovative problem-solving abilities through projects such as remote-controlled robots operated via smartphones and gloves, a supermarket inventory management app tailored to help small businesses, and other creative solutions like a Snake and Ladder game, an Equation of Motion simulation, an e-commerce site, and a secure messaging app. Beyond their technical expertise, the girls demonstrated their creative side through a drama presentation and artistry, capped by Anita’s original Python rap, which wowed the audience with its rhythmic celebration of technology.
Following these inspiring showcases, the event transitioned into an anniversary celebration and a year-in-review session. Miss Temiloluwa guided the audience through Rubies Technologies’ journey over the past year, highlighting the training of over 4,000 students and the launch of numerous innovative initiatives that have solidified the organization’s reputation as a leader in tech education.
The Rubies Code School students also took the spotlight, presenting their remarkable progress in coding and tech-related fields. From climate action apps addressing sustainability to user-friendly web development projects, these young learners, some as young as eight, impressed the audience with their ingenuity and determination.
The awards ceremony added a heartfelt touch, recognizing excellence across various categories. Fasona Pamela emerged as a star, winning the Overall Best Student (GTB) and Most Outstanding Individual Capstone Project awards. Folorunsho Ayomide received the Rising Star award for her remarkable growth, while Alabi Ramat was honored with the Leadership Award. Diekolola Adedokun was named Rubies Code School Student of the Year (Creator Category), and Milena Ogbekhilu, alongside others, earned the Climate Action Ambassador Award for impactful sustainability projects. Volunteers and staff were also celebrated, with Ayandipe Deborah taking home the Trainer of the Year award, and James Adejoke being recognized as Staff of the Year.
The celebration concluded with the cutting of the graduation cake and group photos that captured the joyful spirit of the day.
RubiesFest 2024 was more than just an event; it was a testament to the transformative power of empowering young minds with tools and opportunities in technology. With 21 girls graduating, numerous awards distributed, and countless innovative projects showcased, the day embodied the vision of Rubies Technologies. As the organization looks ahead to its eighth year, its commitment to innovation and empowerment shines brighter than ever.
