Dare to be B.I.G (“BIG” is acronym for “Brightest ICT Guy/Girl”), is a project that brings learning opportunities, positive peer pressure and excitement to Nigerian youth in Secondary Schools. It features an exciting ICT quiz competition bringing early unique opportunities, positive peer pressure and showcasing Africa’s budding ICT talents from Secondary Schools. Our team visit schools, organizing training in their school halls and introducing them to the benefits of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the advantages of starting early ahead of the quiz competition. The ICT quiz competition and training is at no cost to the students or schools.
In October 2013, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria organised the first edition of the Dare to be B.I.G. competition amongst Private Secondary Schools in Lagos State. In October 2014, 20 secondary schools participated in the training and quiz competition in Ondo State where the Federal University Technology Staff Secondary School, Akure emerged the winner.
Dare to be B.I.G. is coming to Owerri, Imo State from June 2nd to June 5th, 2015, with 30 secondary schools registered to participate. This edition will feature three-day ICT workshop, followed by the quiz competition where 3 schools are expected to emerge winners. In addition, students that represent the winning schools will be presented with relevant personal tools; useful for improving their ICT skills and aiding their education.
Participating schools in the Owerri edition of the Dare to be B.I.G. are Claret Academy Sec. Sch. Owerri, Government College Owerri, Ikenegbu Girls’ Secondary school, Emmanuel College Owerri, Federal Govt. Girls’ College, Obazu Girls Secondary School, Sec. Tech. School Umueze, Community Sec. Schl Anara, Amaraku Sec. Schl Isiala Mbano, St. Salas Science Umunakara, Community Secondary School, Mgbidi, Chosen Secondary school. Mgbidi, St. Kizito Sec. Sch Umuchima, New Laetera Sec. Sch Akwakuma, Bishop Lasbery Sec. Sch. Irete, St. Carol Ulakwo, CRM Int’l Sec. Sch Mgbidichi, Akwakuma Girls’ Sec. Sch, Boys sec. Schl Nkwerre, Owerri Nkwoji Sec. Schl, Dick Tiger Memorial Sec schl, Living word Academy Nkwerre, St. Catherine Girls Sec Schl, Okwudor Sec. Tech. Sch Okwudor, Amucha Sec. Sch Umuamucha, Comp Sec Sch. Eziama Obire, Urban development Sec sch. Umuna Orlu, Rochas Foundation Sec School Ogboko, Comp Sec Sch. Umuna Orlu and Orlu Girls Sec Schl Orlu.