Tech Xpress 2.0 was an unforgettable experience, a gathering of passionate minds exploring how creativity, persistence, and innovation shape the future of technology. From powerful personal stories to hands-on insights, every speaker left us inspired to build, learn, and keep pushing forward.
Mr. Cedar Daniel (Founder, Edge Tech Community) — The Power of Starting Small
The event kicked off and he shared the humble beginnings of his journey; starting from his room with nothing but an idea, determination, and consistency. His story reminded us that great things often begin in small spaces, and with time, commitment, and community, dreams can grow into something impactful.
Miss Ruth Ikegah (Open Source Program Manager, Chaoss Africa Lead) — The Open Source Advantage
Next, she took the stage to shed light on the world of open-source software; a space where collaboration fuels innovation. She emphasized that open source is not just about sharing code; it’s about building skills, gaining real-world experience, and growing together as a community. Her message was clear: mentorship, peer support, and shared learning are the engines that drive tech forward.
Mr. Louis Whyte Jonah (Lead, Gameverse Africa)— Creativity Meets Innovation
A dynamic UX designer and games advocate, who walked us through the exciting world of video games and creative tech. He showed how gaming goes beyond entertainment and enlightened us that it’s a space for education, problem-solving, and storytelling. From animation to gamification, Mr. Louis highlighted how creativity and technology unite to build community, purpose, and joy (Art + Science + Innovation).
Mr. Godfrey Ayaosi Oshoke (Product Manager, GDG co-organizer)— The Role of Failure in Tech
With deep honesty, Mr. Godfrey Oshoke spoke about the power of failure. He shared his personal story from failing a subject in SS1 to spending long hours in the library ,mastering it, to later failing a course in university and coming back stronger. His message was both humbling and uplifting: failure is not the end, but a stepping stone to success. What truly matters is the effort, resilience, and determination to rise again. In his words, Failure is data, not defeat!
Mr. Bruce Lucas (Founder/CEO, Olotu Square) — Turning Tech into Opportunity
Closing the speakers session, he shared practical insights on how to make money in tech. He encouraged young people to explore technology early and urged parents to support their children’s curiosity and creativity in the digital world. His talk was a call to action, to see tech not just as a career path, but as a way to become better, smarter, and more innovative versions of ourselves.
Then came Mr. Derick Onowode Founder/CEO – SAGE Innovation HUB who encouraged beginners in tech about a free programme where they would teach people for free to learn/ acquire tech skills.
The session of the incredible panelists, each with a story that reminded us that there’s no single path into tech, only passion, curiosity, and a willingness to learn.
Mr. Emmanuel Wogundu shared how his tech journey began unexpectedly. While studying Engineering at university, he found himself surrounded by Computer Science roommates and curiosity did the rest. One spark led to another, and soon, he found himself diving into the world of technology. His story was a beautiful reminder that sometimes, the right environment can awaken purpose.
Miss Teresa Briseimo, Our Founder, Girls In Tech Initiative Bayelsa – brought laughter and nostalgia to the stage with her story that started back in 2002. She came to Bayelsa from Lagos to play football, but it wasn’t the field that stole her heart, it was the computer screen! She fell in love with how the monitor “popped,” and by 2003, her then-boyfriend opened her first Yahoo Messenger mail. That spark of curiosity led her to study Computer Science, proving that inspiration can come from the most unexpected moments.
Miss Bio Francis shared her vibrant journey into digital marketing and Web3. It all began with a simple desire to make life easier for people by helping them buy products without stress. Her natural gift for persuasion made her stand out (so much so that someone once joked she had a “manipulative spirit” because she could convince anyone to buy!). But Bio turned that skill into power, mastering digital marketing and later exploring the world of Web3. A true example of turning talent into impact.
Miss Ihuoma Anosike rounded off the panel with an inspiring story of curiosity and research. Her first introduction to tech came from a friend’s friend and her response was classic: “I went to Google; I like to do my research.” That one act of curiosity led her deep into the tech world during the lockdown, where she discovered her passion and built a clear sense of purpose. Her story showed that self-learning and persistence can truly open new doors.
Together, these panelists painted a colorful picture of what the Roadmap to Innovation really means, not just coding or design, but courage, curiosity, and connection. Each story reminded us that anyone, from any background, can find their place in tech.
Tech Xpress 2.0: Roadmap to Innovation reminded us that success in tech is built on creativity, community, and courage, the courage to start small, to fail, to learn, and to keep moving forward.
-Praise Diamond
Member – Girls in Tech Initiative Bayelsa