The Rubies Technologies Kid of the month of October is Ikram Babs-Lawal, a 12-year old programmer who ventured into the field of programming just a year ago and within the short period of time, Ikram has worked on over 30 projects with good knowledge of over 4 programming languages.

Ikram joined the Rubies Technologies team for an interview. Excerpt

What Is Your Name?

My name is  Ikram Babs-Lawal

How Old are you?

I am  12years old

At what age did you start coding?

 I started coding at the age of 11

How many programming languages did you know?

I have a good knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Bootstrap, PHP and Python

What Attracts You To Coding?

Curiosity brought me into coding. I actually like all these applications and websites; I love how beautiful they are especially those ones that are with animations and fine colours. I was wondering how they made it and wanted to know the behind the scene of the applications and website.

I found differing site online where they said made application without coding so I used the application to make a gallery app but I kept seeing coding, so I asked what is this coding and then I got into the tech world.

 What other skills do you have?

I know how to use Photoshop and I can draw

How Many Projects Have You Done?

I have worked on about 20-30 projects

How has the tech community supported you?

I gained a lot from the dev community, they share resources for me to learn from and anytime I have problem in topics I don’t understand in programming language, I go to the dev community and ask for help and everyone is ready to help. They also help me on how to Google check anytime I have problem so I won’t be running to the dev community anytime I have problems. They help me with hackathon and how to improve my skills, they help me with tutorials, advice and many more.

What Are The Challenges You Are Facing As A Kids In The Tech Industry?

There is no challenge I face in the dev community as we speak. The only challenge is that some opportunities are not for people less than 18, if you are not up to 18 you won’t be able to get some opportunities. Sometimes you will like to test your skills on real life event maybe for companies but they will want you to be 18. Also some internship will not accept you because you are less than 18 .

How Do Manage School with your Coding Session?

They don’t clash together. During weekdays I don’t code that much, even if I want to code, I do it within an hour or two but during weekends I have all the days to learn everything I want to learn before starting school.

Did Your Parents Support You When You Started?

They gave me their optimum support

How Did You Get Your First Computer?

 I started coding using my sister’s laptop but sometimes ago,  I went to MTN kids hackathon and out of almost 700 participants, I was one of the 15 finalist and they gave us a laptops.

Where Do You See Yourself In the next 5 Years?

I see myself in greater places, I see myself as one of the best kids in technology with greater skills and with that skills,  I will be able to work on myself and save the world so kids can do great things that it is not only kids from 18 years that can do better thing.

I will tell kids that they should not lose hope or downgrade themselves despite being less than 18 and encourage them that they can learn new things and they should follow their passion.

What Do You Want To Tell Kids That Want To Go Into Coding?

I will tell them that not every opportunity is meant for you, but always look for knowledge, explore many things not just where you are.  Also lean that Google is your best friend, know how to use Google tools. There is 95% that if you have error in your code, you will see it on Google. Always ask for help when you have error. Have the curiosity in you to know more and the most important thing is that you should always ask for help.

The Rubies Technologies Kids spotlight is the initiative of our organisation to showcase young ones going great works in the tech field but need more visibility. Do you know any kid that is going great stuff in the tech field and you want us to feature him/her? Kindly contact Rubies Technologies info@rubiestech.org