Hey Steemit, I’m Charles Okeke, a Computer Science graduate, Web designer, IT researcher, blogger and independent motivational speaker.
My online presence has not been obviously marked until recently – October 2017 – when I launched a tech blog which you can see here. I have designed various websites such as blogs, portals, and personal websites using Wordpress CMS.
MY Journey in Information Technology: 2007 – 2016.
I came into IT on November 2007 when I joined Dataswift Limited – a company that specializes on web development. I was taught web designing using Microsoft Office Frontpage as html editor and Macromedia fireworks as graphics software.
I finished web designing after 8 months and went on with the remaining course – Internet business. Once I began my internet business courses, I took an active interest in blogging and social networking as a way of making money online. That led me to start my first social network. It was a sports fans social network. I named it MyclubNeighbour. It was hosted on a free social network platform then – Ning. Remember, I was a newbie in IT so I went for free stuff. After the site grew in membership and engagement, Ning notified me that I have to pay for monthly subscription (about $20). As an apprentice with little money, I paid for 3 months, after which I was not able to foot the bills. Ning took the site out and that was my first effort at making money online.
I completed my training with Dataswift Limited on August 2009 and purchased a form from Abia State Polytechnic – one of the tertiary institutions in Nigeria- to study computer science. I was granted admission and so began a 5year course in IT.
It would be nice to mention that I love writing. So while still in school during my third year, I began writing my first small book. It is a 40-page book I called “Teach Yourself the Internet”. I wanted to help first year students have a basic concept of the internet. I did well to sell more than 50% of the 1000 copies I published and made decent money in my final year.
After my graduation on August 2009, I went for a compulsory youth service for graduates (National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)). It is a 1year program. Before I left for service, I vowed to write and publish an IT magazine in my service year. So during my graduation from the service, it was a pleasure to have achieved my goal! I presented “Computer Digest”, a full-color 40-page magazine written during the period of my youth service. I published 1000 copies and began marketing. I joined the service corps on December 2015 and graduated November 2016.
The past 2 years, now, and the future!
Usually, once a graduate in my country leaves the NYSC, the next thing is to enter the job market and do job hunting. But that was not going to be my case. I love entrepreneurship to the core. So instead of looking for jobs, I decided to start small. I started taking my published works to different bookshops to help me market them. I also did motivational speaking on IT for schools that accepted my proposal. After a period of nearly 6 months, I saved enough to rent a small office space. That was how I started Rytecliq Web Technologies – my IT firm. It’s a small firm – 2 office tables, 3 computers and other basic stuff.
I blog, do motivational speaking, drop shipping with Aliexpress, market my published works, do web designing, etc . I hope to grow my IT firm into something bigger and pay back to society. I want to inspire other youths in my country and give them the IT knowledge that will enable them overcome all challenges. I want to create a positive image of the Nigeria Youth and help make the world a better place for all. That is my vision for joining this lovely community!
Well, if I care, my username is . I love to put undivided attention to any goal until I realize it. That’s the reason behind my identity
Let me sign off with this popular adage: CARE GIVERS NEED CARE! If you have any motivation, ideas, tips and any sort of information that can help me improve my efforts, kindly get them across to me via email: unclecharlesokeke@gmail.com
I’m Super excited to be here and to you that squeezed out your precious time to go through this write up, MANY MANY THANKS!