Posted on April 24th, 2008 by dade
60minuteswiththegeeks got talking with Segun Okin, the co-founder and lead programmer at 12th Imagination, a web branding and application development firm.
So who is Segun Okin?
I am a student of Elect/Elect Engineering in Obafemi Awolowo University. I am the regular dude you run into everyday who wants to make a difference in the society, be successful in what he does, make it big, live the dream life etc.
I have many sides to me so depending on when and where you catch me you’ll perceive me as a different individual most of the time; that in itself is what make me “ME”. I like to have the best of all worlds and I get this by doing the right thing at the right as often as I can; play mostly when you have the time (and once in a while when you don’t!) and work when you have to. This way I achieve a balance in all my activities.
Let’s get to meet your PC
My baby’s really modest; she comes in last in most competitions. A DELL Insipron 1300 with a Celeron M processor, 1.5GB Ram and a 60GB drive. Not the kind of machine you expect to see with a developer but as the saying goes “monkey no fine, im mama love am”. However, I intend to replace it with a less than 12” cutie also made by DELL as soon as I can.
Tell us a lil’ bit about your firm, 12th Imagination Company
12th Imagination is company that provides branding and web application development services. We also do e-business consulting. It was started in July 2006 by myself and a friend (Bukunmi Akinseye-MTN). We had been working together in a technology firm on various e-business related projects for 2 years prior to the time we started 12th Imagination. However, to move to the next level and take full advantage of our contacts in the industry, we had to become a registered company to be able to provide our services to corporate Nigeria without limitations.
And then, before I forget, why 12th imagination
Yeah, why 12th Imagination? The story is simple. We were brainstorming on possible names for the firm and we kept coming up with names and striking them out. At a point my partner looked at the piece of paper and told me that we had come up with 11 names and summarily dismissed all of them within the hour. So we were like: “What’s the 12th possible name going to be?” He pondered for a while and suggested we adopt 12th Imagination Company.
Young Nigerians, the internet, the Web, creating value…how do all these tie up?
The Nigerian technology market is still in its infancy despite the fact that a lot of information technology based improvements have occurred over the last few years in various sectors. Yes, we have started moving but make no mistake we are still some good distance from where we should be. As a young technology savvy individual, I see vast opportunity because information technology cuts across all sectors of the economy just like project management. Also an advantage is that information technology in Nigeria is somewhat synonymous to young people therefore we should cash in on this and strive to provide quality services in our area of specialization.
Focusing on the web, I am of the opinion that the web presence of most Nigerian firms still has to be improved upon. Quality web interfaces that align with a companys’ identity and further emphasize the brand are still lacking in most Nigerian websites. As for the functionalities I think we are better on that.
Also as young and enterprising internet technology providers we should start conducting our business the proper way by registering a company at the least, providing proper documentation on projects (proposals, specification documents, invoices, project manuals etc) and delivering our services within the specified time frame. By doing this, we further present ourselves to corporate Nigeria in a manner that says “yes we are young, but we know how the system works so you can count on us”. Any developer who is not moving in this direction can be assured that his days are numbered as an entrepreneur.
Also great opportunities lie in bespoke applications as some local companies prefer applications that tie directly with their business activities rather than the ones sold off the shelf.
For those just getting into the game I can only say welcome to a fertile ground (the business is not crowed yet so get going fast!). For them I’ll say be familiar with as many platforms as possible and try to specialize in at least two; preferably one should be an open source platform while the other should be windows.
Tell us about Some of the Applications you have worked on
I have worked on Accelon School Project with Accelon Nigeria though it is not available for the public. The application helps users with no knowledge of the web to create generic but customisable database driven websites with content management systems at the click of about 5 buttons. The websites to be created were for schools that were running on the Accelon Network to serve as a value added service. I have also worked on a Lead Management application for Zeesoft Technologies. The application helps marketers and their superiors track the progress made on new business leads. It also enables new employees get up to speed as regards existing leads, their status and related interaction. I have a number of high-end database driven websites with content management systems to my credit as well.
Tell us, which is the most challenging project you’ve ever undertaken? Why so and what did you learn from the experience?
My most challenging project was the development of the Accelon School Project application. Challenging because the project involved 3 phases; the first was to develop a 2 generic website framework, a content management system for it and then develop an application that allows a layman to click some buttons, select a prototype, make some colour selections and bingo a new website is created just like that.
Also I was developing from the clients’ office so there was a lot of pressure and interference at the same time resulting in changes to the functional specifications over and over again and thus stretching the timeline unnecessarily. In the end the experience taught me more about client interfacing and how you should not handle your projects.
What are the developer tools you use?
For developer tools, it’s Adobe Studio. I have been working with Dreamweaver (formally Macromedia Dreamweaver) since version 3.0 so it’s hard to use something else. I develop using PHP, MySql, MSSQL, XML, CSS and JavaScript. I intend to add Adobe Flex or Microsoft based language to my development kit before the year runs out.
Why do you get so much kick outta programming? What is your motivation?
It’s always nice to solve a problem, as in make someone’s life easier and make a complicated process simple. Apart from the fact that you learn more and more with each project and every tap on that keyboard, the former is what motivates me the most. For me the most interesting part of any programming project is the thinking part which leads you to the process flow and functional specifications of the project.
OK let assume you are the master yoda of web development and I’m luke skywalker…’O! Master, I want to make mega bucks developing web apps, what road should I walk? O! Do bring illumination to my mind’?
For newcomers I will advise they go a different way from mine. Focus more on Microsoft technology. It is what the heavyweights in corporate Nigeria want. Not that open source technology is not viable, but if you want to work with the big players you need to go the Microsoft way.
Also rather than focus on web development I’ll advise that one sets sight on RIA’s (Rich Internet Applications) and Bespoke Applications (Web or Standalone). I particularly like the bespoke applications because it flows with the concept of business process re-engineering. It allows you the “thinking pleasure” of walking into a firm, looking at their current business processes and developing a system that aggregates or revamps these processes and increases employee productivity.
Ok let’s meet your not too techie side’, when not mingling with technology, what else do you do?
Ahh, when I’m not doing this technology business I’m doing a lot of other things. I like the idea of making a difference in the world (no matter how little) and developing one’s self while doing that so I joined AIESEC and I enjoy doing AIESEC work. I also like to read a lot but my preference is Christian literature or Ted Dekker novels (I have the entire collection!). Music and football are other things I pay attention too. On a wilder note, I also enjoy chilling out with my friends over bottles of booze with loud music. And lastly, my FIFA ’07 …. God bless EA Sports!
And one more thing, you seem to have this thing for shirts. How come u so cool in them?
I enjoy wearing shirts but it hasn’t always been that way. Because of my height and size it’s hard to find shirts that fit when i go shopping but I have a tailor who makes them to specification. I particularly like long sleeves shirts because one exudes confidence when dressed in them.
It’s been nice talking with you…do leave us with a parting short.
I’d leave with the words of Winston Churchill and I quote “Everyman was born for a particular moment and when he seizes it, it becomes his finest” We are all destined to do well and stand out in one thing we do. Find yours and claim your glory!
Thanks
Segun Okin can be reached on: 08034044119
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Adebiyi Olusolape is proudly Nigerian.
