#Welcome to Radar!
We often fear what we do not understandâ whether itâs people, ideas, situations, or even technology. And honestly, thatâs okay.
Thatâs part of why weâre here. So before you label that âtechy innovationâ as another means to further the agenda of the devil, stay with us for a moment.
Read on a bit. If you still feel the same after, no judgment (well⌠not in your face, at least).
That was a joke. Probably.
But truly, spending a few minutes exploring the latest trends in tech has never hurt anyone. Or has it?
We havenât heard of any such case, though if there is one, it might just be a skill issue.
You can put your serious face on now. Cool stuff incoming...
Welcome to Radar! GDG Babcock's Official Newsletter
Guess what? It's our special Christmas edition!
This issue brings together tech, community, and a generous dose of holiday cheer.
Inside, youâll find stories from our journey so far, highlights from the GDG Babcock space, thoughtful tech insights, and a few surprises along the way.
As the year winds down and the lights go up, weâre celebrating learning, growth, and the amazing people who make this community what it is.
So grab a cup of something warm, get comfortable, and enjoy the read, because this is only the beginning.
#GDG Babcock Semester Recap
Alright, you have arrived at one of the many highlights of this newsletter, the recap!
Through this section, you can relive some of your favorite moments or have a taste of the fun you might have missed out on. (Don't worry, we're involving you).
Okay, let's get right into it!
Hacktoberfest
The semester kicked off with our own spin on Hacktoberfest, an open call for all GDG Babcock members to contribute to open-source projects, track their progress on a leaderboard and then get recognized.
It ran through the month of October (I mean, duh) and it's safe to say that everyone pulled up with some of their best work. There were also two sessions that held on the first two days of the event, as a primer on what to do and expect from the program. The topics spoken on were open-source contributions, what Hacktoberfest is, how to get involved, the methods to source for projects and a rundown on how exactly to contribute.
Info Session (October 5th)
The info session followed right after on the 5th of October, where we came together for insights into the semester, along with the plans and goals our able organizers had in mind (Someone give a cheer for our organizers.)
The new and shiny four-track structure was also introduced at the session, namely:
- Software Development and Engineering
- Infrastructure and Security
- Data & AI
- Design & Management
Each of the four mentioned have a lead, who all gave a description of the track they headed and in turn, introduced their specialists.
The DNA of Data (October 19th)
Soon after, the Data & AI track held 'The DNA of Data: Understanding How Data Powers Intelligence' - an event that sought to teach and explain how data works, and how it fuels the next big innovations. The speakers were our Data Engineering, Data Science, Data Analytics and Machine Learning specialists, respectively. It held on the 19th of October and delivered on everything it promised and more.
Monthly Meetup (November 2nd)
On the 2nd of November we held our monthly meetup, a way for us to just take a break from the academic grind. It featured a very interesting interactive quiz and debate session, giveaways, a showcase of the projects that were built during Hacktoberfest, and rewards for the top contributors and of course, refreshments.
Track Intros & KAGAN (November 9th)
Following right after on the 9th, the Software Development and Design & Management tracks held events to introduce their newly joined members to the inner workings of their respective tracks.
- Software Development Track: Frontend Web, Mobile Development, QA, Backend Systems, and Data Structures & Algorithms.
- Design & Management Track: Product Design, 2D Animation, Product Management, and Games & Interactive Media.
On the same day, we hosted the much-anticipated X space with KAGAN (Yes, the one and only!), who spoke on the topic 'From Idea to Impact: Building Brands and Products That Actually Matter'. Questions were answered, doubts were resolved, amazing insights were shared, and all who attended were both challenged and motivated.
Campus Meetup with Allstars NG (November 16th)
One of the highlights was the Campus Meetup, held in partnership with the Allstars NG team on the 16th of November. Our host was none other than the Regional Manager, Tonbra â a web3 marketer who made it his mission to make crypto education accessible to everyone. Several clips came out of the event and the timeline was buzzing. The Allstars team has since closed up that chapter and moved on to other things, but their impact remains indelible.
DevFest Lagos
Woohoo, it's coming to an end! Oh no, it's coming to an end.
Pick whatever works for you, but to sunset this particular recap is our presence at DevFest Lagos! (yes, we were there). Don't have to tell you that the energy was infectious, and it was an absolute blast.
You can tell we've had a very eventful semester and honestly we're only just getting started, so stick with us because next year, GDG Babcock is bringing bigger, better things to you.
Till then!
#Academic Weapon in Battle + Harnessing the Best of AI
Yes, if youâre reading this, you know I relate to you. We are probably fighting the same battles.
Iâm lying cross-legged on my roommateâs single bed, listening to For My Hand by Burna and Ed Sheeran, and itâs rather ironic because I canât relate to any of the lyrics â not when Babcock and my department have me bent over with the weight Iâm carrying this semester.
I resumed with the intention of becoming an academic weapon, but honestly? Iâm just fighting to survive at this point.
Give me your hands so I can put you on to how responsible use of AI has saved me this semester. The things that can save your GPA and mental health â legally, ethically, and without you being called to defend your paper:
1) AI is for Understanding Topics, Not Replacing Your Brain
I know â not stressing is more fun. But you still need to work out those brain muscles.
Ask Chat (yes, thatâs what I call it):
âExplain inheritance, abstraction, polymorphism, and encapsulation like Iâm a curious ten-year-old. Iâm new to this â break it down.â
No copying. No pasting. Just clarity. And now you understand the thing for real.
2) Use ChatGPT to Practice Exam Questions
Tell AI to generate exam-style questions from your coursework. This feature alone has saved my life more than once.
Then â do the work. Answer the questions yourself. After that, ask AI to grade your reasoning or point out what you missed.
This is where real learning happens.
3) Build an Effective & Realistic Study Plan (Girl, yes you can)
Sometimes the stress is not the work â itâs not knowing where to start.
Ask AI:
âMake a weekly study plan based on these topics.â âArrange this workload so I can finish without collapsing.â
AI will break your chaos into manageable slices. Suddenly the semester feels survivable again.
4) AI for Coding Help (Without Cheating)
Instead of: âWrite the code for me.â
Ask:
âExplain why my code is not running.â âWalk me through how to do this step-by-step.â
You still learn the logic, but without crying.
5) Use AI to Untangle Assignments (Not Write Them)
Ask:
âBreak this assignment into smaller tasks.â âWhat does this question actually mean?â
Understanding first makes everything else easier.
AI is a study assistant, not your course rep. Use it to learn faster â not to break rules.
To be academic weapons, we canât skip the work. We can only work smart.
If one thing is certain, itâs that I enjoy getting in this corner with you. If youâre a Dave fan, youâll understand when I say: âWeâre all alone in this together.â
The New Yearâs almost here â letâs get on our Zoom with motivation in our minds, knowing weâre not actually going through it alone. We have each other â a family, a community.
I see youâŚ
#Tales of a Babcock Student, by a Babcock Student
Siri, play âWakandaâ by Ludwig GĂśransson.
This is what I listen to every morning.
Sigh. Being a student of Babcock has its perksâperks you honestly canât describe unless youâve lived it yourself. Itâs a mix of discipline, stress, vibes, and inshallah.
Surviving 7 a.m. classes deserves a gold medal because it is not easy, forget it. Your body is screaming and begging for sleep, youâre rushing to get ready, telling your friend(s) to keep space for you, and somehow you still make it to class. Those mornings teach me a lot about discipline, whether I like it or not. Iâve learned to value my time better and be sharper with it.
Hall worship and chapel seminar (who dug this pit for me?)âvery unnecessary but necessary, you dig? Some days I wish not to attend, but at the back of my head thereâs always that voice: âGo, or there will be trouble.â
Food is a saga on its own. Why are the queues so long??? And even after waiting that long, the food still manages to finish before you get to the front. So you either start another waiting cycle or buy something else. Most times, even the wait doesnât pay. I will not be making any comments on the food, but we thank God.
Then thereâs the big boss: STRESS.
It comes like a thiefâyou wonât see it coming, but it will definitely find you.
As someone who struggles with anxiety, I honestly donât know how to handle stress well. The pressure increases as you fight to keep your CGPA stable. Deadlines appear out of nowhere, group projects feel like youâre carrying the entire world on your shoulders, and the tension deepens as exams approach⌠alongside a lot of other things in between.
Being a BU student isnât just about the degree. Itâs about endurance, patience, discovering that life happens in phases, and realizing that you can, in fact, push through, survive, and grow as a human.
#Semester Recap: From Your POV
Weâve shared the highlights of the semester through our events, meetups, and milestones.
But beyond the flyers, photos, and recaps are the moments that truly matteredâthe quiet wins, the overwhelming days, the courage it took to show up, and the growth that happened in between.
So we decided to pause and listen. To hear the semester not from a timeline or a schedule, but from the people who lived it.
The heart of our communityâyou.
We asked members of GDG Babcock to look back and tell us, in their own words, what this semester felt like to them.
Hereâs what they had to say.
âHOW WAS THIS SEMESTER FOR YOU?â
âThis semester is my last first semester and I got to do a lot of things I never did since I got to this school, I made myself attend all events hosted in school provided it didn't clash with school work and I ended up singing at the Allstars x GDG Babcock event and I'm so happy that I got to do that, 100 level me would have had a heart attack if she heard I did this.â
â Ifeoma, Software Engineering, 400
âThis semester was pretty stressful! I had three-hour classes for the first time in my years in this school, but Iâm just thankful! For the people Iâve met, especially in GDG and my department.â
â Sophia, Computer Science, 400
âJust one word, Omoâ
â Bolaji, Computer Science, 200
âAll I can say is, though I'm still new here, I am really happy I picked this institution, even with its ups and downs, I've learnt a lot academically and spiritually.â
â Vincent, Computer Science, 100
âIt's the most fun in the least draining way possible! Met amazing people and tied who I want to be my forevers closer. Really put myself out there and got really uncomfortable, which is what warrants growth.â
â Audrey, Information Technology, 200
âLooking back now, this semester has been so wonderful. My first day here, I made a lot of friends. Then I joined this wonderful community, and Iâm so happy it was open to all students. For my academics, I donât like 7 am classes. In my opinion, it should be illegal. Assignments and practicals every day are so exhausting. I participated in a lot of events and joined various clubs that I normally wouldnât even think about. Iâm happy for this new chapter in my life and canât wait to see where it takes meâ.
â Temitope, Nursing, 100
âThis semester is my second year in the school, transferred from another university last year, and so I just started to socialize with regular students. Joined GDG this semester because I needed something different from the usual routine, and umâŚitâs been a very enjoyable ride. It has exposed me to a lot of stuff too and a nudge towards my career pathâ
â Ayomide, Software Engineering, 300
#Your Tech Stack as a Nigerian Meal
Ever wondered what your favorite programming language would taste like? Let's break down the tech stack using something we all understand: Nigerian food.
Python is Jollof Rice
Just like Jollof, Python is everywhere, and everyone loves it. It's versatile (you can add chicken, fish, or keep it vegetarian), easy to make, and perfect for beginners. Whether you're cooking up a web app, analyzing data, or diving into AI, Python has got you covered. Plus, just like Jollof at a party, Python is always a crowd-pleaser.
Java is Pounded Yam
Heavy, powerful, and requires some serious effort to work with. Pounded yam isn't something you whip up in five minutes, just like Java applications take time to build. But when done right? Absolutely satisfying and can feed an entire family (or power enterprise systems for years). It's traditional, reliable, and not going anywhere soon.
JavaScript is Suya
Spicy, everywhere, and honestly a bit unpredictable. You never know what you're getting until you taste it. Sometimes it's perfectly seasoned, other times⌠well, we don't talk about those times. Like suya spots on every street corner, JavaScript runs on every browser. It's the language of the streets (the web streets, that is).
C++ is Banga Soup
Not for the faint of heart. It takes skill, precision, and a lot of patience to get right. One wrong move and everything falls apart. But when a pro makes it? Pure magic. C++ gives you low-level control and raw power, just like banga soup gives you that authentic, complex flavor that takes years to master.
HTML/CSS is Garri and Groundnuts
The foundation. Simple, accessible, and gets the job done. Sure, it's not fancy, but every developer started here, just like every Nigerian has drunk garri at some point. You can dress it up (add milk and sugar), but at its core, it's straightforward and essential.
SQL is Egusi Soup
The one that holds everything together. You can have your rice, your yam, your plantain, but egusi ties the meal together just like SQL connects and organizes your data. It might look complex with all its ingredients, but once you understand the recipe, you realize it's just about knowing what goes where.
Git is Your Mother's Cooler
Preserves everything, keeps track of what you stored and when, and saves you when you mess up. "Oh, I oversalted the stew?" Git (like mom's backup ingredients) helps you go back to before you ruined everything. Version control is just fancy talk for "I need to undo this mistake."
So the next time someone asks about your tech stack, just tell them you're cooking up some Jollof with a side of Pounded Yam, and watch the confusion on their face.
#Gratitude Corner
We asked GDG Babcock members one simple question:
âWHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR?â
âGrateful for life, my guardians, my siblings, everything basically.â
â Olamide, Computer Science, 100
âI'm grateful for everything actually... For life, for the opportunity to be where I am today, and everything đâ
â Vincent, Computer Science, 100
âI'm grateful for the adventures I carried on this year, my friends, my achievements, my parents, my siblings, and I'm grateful for all the things God has done in my life.â
â Ifeoma, Software Engineering, 400
âFor caf beans, because omo, it was one of the few things that kept me sane in this school. I was always looking forward to Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays just because of it. So yeah, I'm grateful for beans lol.â
â Bolaji, Computer Science, 200
âLife and other things.â
â Freda, Computer Science, 300
âGrateful for life and everything plus this amazing group filled with lovely and talented peopleâ
â Dosunmu Abdulhafeez, Accounting, 400
So, I really want to know. What are you grateful for?
#The 2025 Tech Legend Roadmap: A Digital Holiday Workshop
Becoming a tech pro is about more than just writing code; it is about learning to solve problems in ways that truly matter to people.
At Christmas, this feels even more real, as developers act like modern-day Santas, building digital experiences that bring joy and ease to life.
1. Front End: The Twinkling Christmas Lights
The front end is everything users see and interact with. Just like holiday decorations, it should feel intentional, smooth, and alive rather than just "fine".
- The Ornament Polish (Small Details): Just as a single unique ornament catches the eye, subtle animations and hover effects make a site feel responsive and enjoyable.
- The 3D Window Display: Much like a festive shop window you can peer into, modern tools now allow for 3D experiences, such as rotating a gift or exploring a product before buying it.
- The Designer's Touch: While AI can help sketch layouts, your human judgment is the "star on the tree" that turns a template into something special.
2. Back End: The Reindeer and Sleigh
The back end is the part users rarely see, but it does all the heavy lifting to ensure the "gifts" arrive on time.
- The Magic Sleigh (Serverless Systems): These systems act like a sleigh that only flies when needed, saving energy and improving efficiency.
- The Gathering at the Hearth (Real-time Features): Live trackers and chats act like a warm fireplace, helping users feel connected during the holidays.
- Santa's Naughty or Nice List (AI-Powered Logic): Smart backends can learn from activity to suggest the perfect gift options over time.
3. UI/UX: The Warmth of a Holiday Home
UI is the appearance, and UX is the experience; together, they determine how a user feels when they step into your digital space.
- An Open Door for All (Accessibility): Just as a holiday party should welcome everyone, a good developer builds for users who rely on screen readers or alternative inputs.
- A Friendly Greeting (Voice Features): Allowing users to interact using natural speech makes a site feel as welcoming as a "Merry Christmas" at the front door.
- The Thoughtful Gift (Personalization): A site that adapts to preferences or location feels like a hand-picked present rather than a generic one.
Why Christmas Tech Stands Out
The holiday season encourages us to move beyond the basic. Traditionally, front-end work was just about visual themes, but now it creates unique, personalized effects for every user.
Back-end systems have evolved from simple storage to "fast-delivery" edge computing that loads content instantly. Even UI/UX has shifted from placing buttons to creating playful gift-finding games.
Your Role as the Human Developer
AI is a powerful tool, but it cannot replace the human spirit. It doesn't understand culture, timing, or emotion.
You are the one who sets the tone, ensuring your website feels as warm, thoughtful, and human as a handwritten holiday card.
#The Year-Long Christmas Gift
I was going through my Spotify Wrapped earlier this month when I came across my âlistening archivesâ. They decided I needed to remember the biggest days of my music. And I did. I remembered the songs I was obsessed with, the thoughts I thought, even the weather.
It was the same on other apps, some for the very first time. The end of the year is always reflective like that. Youâll definitely be comparing your last New Year's resolution to all you did in the year. And youâll be wondering in what way life got better.
I donât want to write about self-development, though. Itâs something more important.
In my first year, I was given a web development project that I had zero ability to do. I think that was one of the first times I was worried about my education. But Iâd met someone earlier, the smart friends you keep as academic assets. He practically did the whole assignment for me. Iâll never forget that.
A friend of mine and others started this tutorial group. They would share course materials and give us practice questions to prepare. I remember not studying for GEDS courses and somehow still getting a good grade because I crammed the answers to some practice questions that were magically set.
I know I speak for hundreds of students when I say we would be in deep, deep holes of misery and failure if not for them.
Just a week ago from my writing this, I took part in a Secret Santa gifting. Apparently, my secret Santa was a friend of mine, and he got me a lovely book that just happened to be on my reading list. After, a friend asked me if I remembered when they asked what Iâd want as a gift and revealed how theyâd planned the whole thing. Another friend told me how sheâd âcaptured my momentâ of squealing and hugging him when I got the gift. It was a highlight of my year.
Why am I sharing all of this? For a lot of us, when we outgrow the fairytales and âmagicâ tied to this holiday, it loses its meaning and significance. Christmas feels like any other day. New Yearâs is just January. Sparkly-eyed youth comes to an end, and it doesnât matter anymore.
But I realized that I could choose to remember.
Much more than the gifts we receive on Christmas, I choose to remember how much Iâve been blessed throughout the year. And I celebrate my Lordâs birth as the very start of the promised redemption I now get to live in; redemption I got to experience all through January to December, and will continue to experience in the new year.
Iâm not the only one who feels this way. The team asked GDG Babcock what Christmas means to them, and this is what they had to say.
WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS MEAN TO YOU?
âA time for food, jolly people, and people with food. And of course, Jesus.â
â Ayomide, Software Engineering, 300
âChristmas means family time to me, very special, a season where we all gather in one place, no matter how far we stay to merry and share love.â
â Olamide, Computer Science, 100
âChristmas means my birthday is close (my birthday is on the 28th) and most importantly it's a time for family and friends to come together and appreciate the year, with love and joy, and see how far God has brought us and shown us mercy from his son Jesus.â
â Ifeoma, Software Engineering, 400
âChristmas means celebrating the one who gave me life - Jesus. It is a way of honoring him so in return, I spread the joy he has given me by giving gifts, spending time with people I care about and of course spreading the gospel.â
â Bolaji, Computer Science, 200
âMovies with family, giving dry jokes and white rice, stew, plantain and chicken as a back to back mealâ
â Audrey, Information Technology, 200
#Pause. Reflect. Breathe.
Suddenly, life feels like itâs worth living again. Weâve wrapped up exams and are back home, sinking into the familiarity of our beds â no alarms, no deadlines, no submissions hanging over our heads.
You know whatâs even more thrilling? It is the Christmas season. And with it comes introspection.
This is the time you look back on your year âyour mental wrapped, and look forward to the new one with fresh resolutions. You replay the highs, the lows, the moments you almost gave up â and the moments you surprised yourself.
This is the perfect time to pause. To breathe. To rest â without guilt.
Youâve done so much. You came out of a demanding semester. You showed up to classes you didnât feel ready for. You learned things that once intimidated you. You pushed through deadlines, group projects, late nights, and self-doubt â and you did amazing.
Ho ho ho â dare I say this is exactly what you need, and youâve earned it.
Whether you pushed your first commit, attended your first GDG meetup, struggled through a bug that refused to budge, or simply stayed curious when things got hard â progress still counts.
Growth doesnât always look loud. Sometimes, it just looks like staying.
As we close the year, Iâll leave you with this: Look back on your journey and be proud of what youâve achieved. You scaled this unscathed â or even through the scathing, if at all. And that matters.
It was all God and you.
And as you close the year and waltz into 2026, remember this principle we know all too well in tech and in life: GIGO TITO â Garbage in, garbage out. Treasure in, treasure out.
What you consume, what you believe, what you allow into your mind â it all compounds. Choose wisely. Choose growth. Choose grace.
I hope these words guide you. And know this: my heart bursts with excitement for who you are about to become â the things youâll build, the problems youâll solve, and the impact youâll make.
Merry Christmas, and hereâs to building better â starting with ourselves â in the New Year.
#Outro
May this season bring you rest, joy, and renewed clarity.
Thank you for being part of this community and for showing up, in big and small ways, all year long.
Have a beautiful holiday, and we canât wait to build more with you in the year ahead.
See you in our next RADAR issue. wink wink
With love,
Commit & Push,
The GDG Creative Writing Team. â¤