Exclusive Interview with the guy who designed a Distress road app as his NYSC Project

Exclusive Interview with AMB

I interviewed the young guy who designed a mobile safety distress call application as his NYSC CDs Project. Something the Federal Road Safety Corps and his Employers have commended. Musa Bello is 24 and from Kaduna State, he is serving in Minna, Niger State. He lost his dad when he was in his Junior Secondary, a Computer Science graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria… He is web developer and a Programmer with AMB ICT Providers. He’s had various Computer courses in Nigeria, and a recipient of various awards and honors while at the University.

His Application helps you call or send emergency message to all the Emergency helplines of every State in Nigeria, he is planning to include apart from the Federal Road Safety Corps line, Nigerian Police and other agencies.

Alhaji Musa Bello speaks to Muhammad Malumfashi to hear his story…

 

M. Malumfashi: Good morning.

Musa Bello: Good Morning

M. Malumfashi: Could you please tell me about yourself, Sir?

Musa Bello: Ok.

Musa Bello: My name is Musa Bello, I was born on the 19th Nov. 1992. I hail from Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State. I am from a family of 6, 3 boys and 3 girls. I am the 2nd to the last born. I am a graduate of Computer Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. I started My Primary School at Mameena Memorial School, and completed my secondary school at Kaduna Polytechnic Demonstration Secondary School, Kaduna. 

M. Malumfashi: I can say you had all your education in Nigeria? In fact, Kaduna State…

Musa Bello: Yes, it’s all about determination, wherever you are.

M. Malumfashi: I see…

M. Malumfashi: What's growing up in Kaduna like?

Musa Bello: It’s really good, because there are many opportunities in Kaduna. It’s only left to one to explore them.

M. Malumfashi: Kaduna it's a center of learning. It’s said, indeed!

Musa Bello: Yes, it is.

 

M. Malumfashi: How about your childhood?

Musa Bello: Well…

Musa Bello: As for my childhood, it was really fun, though as at then I use to have interest in automobile Engineering. I and some of my friends; Fahad Bello Turkur, and Umar Isa Suleiman had once made attempt of making a car with woods, using bicycle engines… I lost my dad 10 years ago, on 10th of June, 2006; i was just about to start my JSCE then. Also i attended Islamic school at Madrasatul Rafa'ud Dinul Islam (Dan Hausa)

M. Malumfashi: I'm sorry about the loss. So you were raised by your mother?

Musa Bello: I was raised by My Mum (Hajiya Maryam Bello), She is a very strong woman!

M. Malumfashi: You aren't only a software developer. You are a Malam, you attended Malam Dan Hausa, Islamic School…

M. Malumfashi: Since when did you start using Computers?

Musa Bello: I started operating Computer since when I was in Primary School.

M. Malumfashi: So Computer and IT have been your long ambition?

Musa Bello: Yes, and I always had a dream of being a software developer, so to help others…

M. Malumfashi: That's good.

Musa Bello: As I have said, it’s all about determination and prayers.

M. Malumfashi: How did you find yourself in A.B.U Zaria studying Computer Science?

Musa Bello: Studying Computer Science in ABU Zaria wasn't really easy, because you have other non-related computer courses to deal with. But the good thing is that they tried their best to make us learn Computer Programming, they imposed 30% on the practical.

Musa Bello: …Though Computer Science deals with more of the theoretical aspect of computing.

M. Malumfashi: Okay, good!

M. Malumfashi: Are you planning on going for a second degree 'Masters'?

Musa Bello: I’d say Yes, I am planning on that, but yet to decide where I’d go actually. I’d like to have to deal with the main practical aspects, 100%.

Musa Bello: I am after being self-employed I don’t need to be employed (by the Government or so), so i need to have the skills, it’s not all about the certificate.

M. Malumfashi: Graduates are now jumping for master’s degree, just because of the situation in the labor market.

Musa Bello: Actually I calculate myself out of those going to that labor market, by God’ Grace. Else the reason I studied Computer Science will be defeated.

M. Malumfashi: Yes, you said you want to be self-employed and even employ others under you…

M. Malumfashi: What would you like to study in your Masters?

Musa Bello: I am interested in any of these three courses, Mobile Application/Surface Computing, Web Application Engineering, or Information Security.

M. Malumfashi: Very good.

Musa Bello: Yes.

M. Malumfashi: A lot seem to complain about the 'unnecessary' Maths courses in the first years…

Musa Bello: I also complained about it actually, and the Physics courses too!

M. Malumfashi: Did you learn about all these from ABU Zaria?

Musa Bello: Well, I learnt the secret of Programming from ABU Zaria, and applied it to the courses I had while outside the school

M. Malumfashi: Some courses outside the School?

Musa Bello: Yes

Musa Bello: I did several courses;

M. Malumfashi: Good. Like which?

Musa Bello:

Certified Information Security (Ethical Hacking) at Kaduna Community Resource Centre (KCRC), Kaduna

Mobile Apps Development using C# at Kaduna Community Resource Centre (KCRC), Kaduna

Diploma in computer maintenance at Kaduna Community Resource Centre (KCRC), Kaduna

Diploma in computer networking at Kaduna Community Resource Centre (KCRC), Kaduna

Certificate in Web Development using Drupal at Kaduna Community Resource Centre (KCRC), Kaduna

Certificate in Database Management System using MySQL, at Kaduna Community Resource Centre (KCRC), Kaduna

Diploma in computer operations at Kaduna Community Resource Centre (KCRC), Kaduna

Certificate in Computer maintenance at Alkhalifa Global Centre for Capacity Building…

M. Malumfashi: Wow!!! You must be an IT guru!

Musa Bello: …All I want people to understand is that in Schools, you have the background. It’s all about passion, after then.

M. Malumfashi: Alright, Now, how's NYSC?

Musa Bello: NYSC is cool, at least it you learn few more things in life. For instance I’ve been introduced to some skills on video editing during my Service year.

M. Malumfashi: You are still taking your chances?

Musa Bello: yes, I utilize every little opportunity I get.

Musa Bello: …Though at my PPA, they wanted me to be a full video editor, but I can’t do without Programming. 

M. Malumfashi: PPA, Place of Attachment?

Musa Bello: Yes, I am serving at NTA Minna.

M. Malumfashi: Okay… You work as a programmer their? Thought Video Editor will be better there.

Musa Bello: No, I work as an IT support. This keeps me sitting for long, with less time for research, and programming.

M. Malumfashi: You already have a certificate in IT package. You can still learn more.

Musa Bello: Yes, still exploring other fields like; Road Safety, and leadership role…

M. Malumfashi: How did you find Minna, the town?

Musa Bello: Minna is a very peaceful town, but to be sincere, one thing they lack is adequate power.

Musa Bello: …I am happy serving there, because I have time, more than while I was in Kaduna.

M. Malumfashi: Power supply, I have heard about that, despite their big dams’ sources.

M. Malumfashi: Don't you think of developing software to tackle that?  😄 *Laughs*

Musa Bello: HAHAHA!!!

M. Malumfashi: Alright.

M. Malumfashi: Now to your project! The App. You designed… What motivates you to carry this project?

Musa Bello: Well…the fact that people don't know about emergency numbers, you see, after witnessing an accident i had to call a friend to tell me the FRSC Emergency number, so i can call to inform them about the case. A lot of people don’t know about all these. I now took it upon myself that it is of great importance to create an application for calling emergency numbers which will be available on all mobile phones for free to serve as a life saver.

M. Malumfashi: That's really a life saver; we have had cases that victims lost their lives to such avoidable scenarios.

Musa Bello: …Fire accidents, emergency health cases, and so on; At least we should all have help line numbers of the Fire service and Emergency Ambulance, Security Agencies on our phones…

M. Malumfashi: States like Lagos are doing well on that (Emergency Services). How about Niger state?

Musa Bello: Yes, I know Lagos is trying. As for Niger State, I can't really say.

M. Malumfashi: I do hope Niger State follows.

M. Malumfashi: Is the application free?

Musa Bello: Yes, it is free of charge, but not open source.

M. Malumfashi: Open source? But ordinary user like me can download it.

Musa Bello: Yes, you can download it at Google Play.

M. Malumfashi: What did you recommend? The FRSC is working on speed limits for vehicles. Don't you think such modern apps. should be promoted?

Musa Bello: Yes, it should be, and supported.

Musa Bello: With Government Support, like running advert videos showing importance of the app would be good…

Musa Bello: …and Government agencies can help me get me all other emergency numbers. 

M. Malumfashi: Yes! And it has caught some attention. It was on the daily papers, even on the international media.

Musa Bello: Yes…

M. Malumfashi: Right now does it cover only the Federal safety corps lines? Or there are other emergency lines? Like Niger State Police…

Musa Bello: I have already included all States’, and all other special agencies would be included.

M. Malumfashi: I see. That's great.

Musa Bello: I am presently trying to get the emergency number of Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Agency (KASTELEA), along with some Mechanics Workshop, and other Ambulance Services.

M. Malumfashi: That is a great idea.

Musa Bello: My target is, where ever you travel to, you can use the distress call center app for help.

M. Malumfashi: Amazing! What are your words to the young IT gurus? Some seem to be motivated by your work...

Musa Bello: They should keep on with researches, so one day they develop an app. that will be of impact to the society, and most importantly, they should PRAY for success.

M. Malumfashi: Lastly, I learnt that this is your NYSC CDs project. I know before NYSC give special awards for such. Now, I think due to the economic situation, this has been scrapped. Don’t you think Corp members like you should be given such opportunity?

Musa Bello: Yes, it is very important for us to be given such an opportunity to go further because that’ll make us self-employed, we can also train others, and they too can train or even be employing others. You see we have reduced number of unemployment in the Country. #Smiles#

M. Malumfashi: Exactly! I hope the government does that.

Musa Bello: I also pray so!

M. Malumfashi: Thank you, Mr. Musa Bello for talking to me. Thank you for your time, Sir!

Musa Bello: You are highly welcome.

[The Hausa version of these Interview was published on NAIJ Hausa on 22nd September 2016]