Celebrating a computer genius, Arfa Karim (2 February 1995–14 January 2012)
By DARE LASISI
Arfa Karim, this young Pakistani girl is unarguably the youngest Microsoft Certified Professional(MCP) at 9 in 2004 in the world.
On that fateful day, 22 December 2011, she had a cardiac arrest after an epileptic seizure that damaged her brain and was admitted to Lahore’s Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in critical condition.
She suffered from epilepsy(Warapa in the Yoruba language).
This computer genius went into a seizure that triggered cardiac arrest and passed away on January 14, 2012, at 16. She was not only a genius but her brilliance was just out of this planet.
According to her Wikipedia page, She was submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records for her distinguished achievements.
Arfa kept the title until 2008 and went on to represent Pakistan on various international forums, including the TechEd Developers Conference. She received Pakistan’s highest literary award, the Presidential Pride of Performance from General Pervez Musharraf in 2005.
At the age of 10, Arfa was invited by Bill Gates to visit Microsoft’s headquarters in the United States.
But Arfa was not just a computer expert. When she was ten years old, she acquired a pilot’s licence to fly an aircraft.
My friend’s son is also currently in California USA for an ICT conference. He is just 19 and currently at the 300 level in one private university in SouthWest Nigeria.
He was officially sponsored to the United States of America by one top American IT company.
The only candidate selected from West Africa after “high-profile” interviews.I am his Uncle/Mentor. I am so proud of him right now. I swear to God.
I am sure he will read this article and say, “Chai, this uncle just dey give me too much publicity oooo.”
I will just reply to him….”Did I mention your name in my article, calm down, young man? We go share your dollars together ooo.”
The father “begged” me never to reveal his identity on social media platforms. I will not for “confidentiality” reasons.
I personally advised his father to allow him to finish his Nigerian university education, if possible, go for the NYSC programme, then relocate finally to USA or Canada but not the United Kingdom.
While in America, this young Nigerian computer expert will give lectures on science and technology and participate in hackathons.
To cut the long story short, careers in science and technology are the new “oil and gas” of the future. There are many YouTube videos to assist anybody who is ready to learn to acquire some certifications. You only need to dedicate time and energy.
Don’t wait for anybody to spoonfeed you with free information and knowledge because Google is not your landlord’s secret lover!
On a personal note, my sharing of free laptops with selected Facebook friends is my own contribution to knowledge.I am not a “desperate” politician begging for votes in Nigeria or elsewhere.
At least, to encourage some of the beneficiaries to go into ICT careers. That’s a good legacy to leave behind after my exit from this world. That’s my secret. Run away with it today!
What are you waiting for? Go ahead to dig deeper for knowledge! Best of luck.Thanks for reading my long story today.
*Dare Lasisi writes from Glasgow in Scotland.
