1. African Diaspora Youth Forum. April 19 2005. Ogun State, Nigeria

2. ICTs & You(th) Shaping Nigeria’s Future through Empowerment and Capacity Building for Young Nigerians ‘Gbenga Sesan Program Manager Lagos Digital Village www.gbengasesan.com | me@gbengasesan.com African Diaspora Youth Forum. April 19 2005. Ogun State, Nigeria

3. The Nigerian Youth ‘The United Nations General Assembly defined ‘youth’, as those persons falling between the ages of 15 and 24 years inclusive. This definition was made for International Youth Year, held around the world in 1985” -- www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/qanda.htm “Member States are encouraged to establish official definitions of youth that can be consistently applied across all national policies, programmes and agencies. These definitions should be based on the social, cultural and economic context of each society” -- Strategic Framework for NEPAD Youth Programme The Nigerian youth is a Nigerian. He must not only consider what his parents or the community can do for him but must consider what we can do for our nation The Nigerian Youth is under-equipped – schools’ curricula, laboratories, teaching aids, educational system, etc … but most young Nigerians have proved that we are smart despite the “poor exposure” Misdirected smartness is folly wearing an overall with “Self Deceit” written on it – stay away from “smartness” that can disgrace you or eliminate your enviable future

4. A New Economy The Information Age is revealing a complex convergence that seeks to create a new society driven by information, communication and technologies -- and an evident shrinking of space and dissolution of physical boundaries The Information Society embraces a multi-stakeholder approach, bringing governments, businesses, civil society (media, academia, NGOs) and SIGs (e.g. youth) together Every profession is repositioning for improved relevance in the new Information Society – from Accounting (New Accounting) to Agriculture (Precision Agriculture), and Computing (Information Sciences) too! This new paradigm is also shifting educational standards – from what you have (certificate) to what you know (expertise). Nations are not left out. Natural resources no longer dictate who’s in charge -- Human and Intellectual Capital decide Africa’s response to the New Economy is responsible for our present situation, made worse by corruption and lack of adequate leadership The New Economy respects global citizens, not local champions

5. ICTs 101: A Quick Introduction Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs): The means of generating, processing, transporting and presenting information Old ICTs: Town crier, print/electronic media in the past, etc New ICTs: – – Information Technology Computers; Data processing/number crunching – – Telecommunications Telephones, fax, satellite, TV; Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) – – Networks Internet, data, satellite, cell; Pretty Amazing New Services (PANS) ICTs: Convergence of Communications, computers, consumer electronics, content Convergence at the level of technology – all is in bits (binary digits); industry; policy & regulation; advocacy and multi- stakeholder participation

6. ICT Opportunities ICTs provide amazing opportunities – in life, work and play. The opportunity of youth familiarity can be maximised Some specific opportunities are listed below: RESEARCH Explore the world’s largest pool of knowledge and data. The internet provides amazing search opportunities – wider than your imagination; EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION Stay in touch without stress, remember birthdays. eMail, chat, SMS… Skype’s free VoIP calls, GMail’s 2GB of space, etc; TRANSGENERATIONAL IMPACT Leave a legacy, contribute to global web content. Your personal website can help inspire another young person. Or create a profile page on TIG; PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT Maximize internet opportunities. MIT’s Open Courseware is one example of diverse high-end educational opportunities; NATION BUILDING/REGIONAL COOPERATION Mount the ICT for Development stage, act your scene… we have but this one life to live. Ask not of what your nation can do for you… GLOBAL PARTICIPATION AND RELEVANCE There’s no better tool for global collaboration. Be omnipresent…

7. As you plan to leave… Many of you have been to a good number of conferences this year alone. But what do you make of what you pick up? You must settle the issue of career choice before you step into tomorrow – and that begins from the very next moment. You are not too young/old to start… If your goals in life only exist in your head, and they only come up during discussions, you are only day-dreaming. Get a pen and write down your goals (More on that during the evening session, “Today, Not Tomorrow”) According to the principle of common good, those who seek to make impact within their community always end up improving themselves Plan, review… plan again if you falter. Be consistent… ICTs provide amazing opportunities to manage your planning process – search for information on your direction, send emails to mentors, organize with your mobile phone/laptop

8. THANK YOU ‘Gbenga Sesan Program Manager Lagos Digital Village www.gbengasesan.com | me@gbengasesan.com African Diaspora Youth Forum. April 19 2005. Ogun State, Nigeria