Against All Odds

1
Against All Odds

• Gbenga Sesan
• Program Manager / Team Leader
• Lagos Digital Village / Paradigm Initiative
  Nigeria
• www.gbengasesan.com me_at_gbengasesan.com

APTECH Ghana Youth ICT Seminar. February 5 2005.
Accra, Ghana
2
New Realities

• The only constant thing in life is change and
  so for times and mankind (from pre-civilization
  to the industrial age and the Information
  Society)
• This new society brings new challenges
  including global competition
• Most young Africans arent adequately prepared
  for this new reality
• Unfortunately, you cant file for concession by
  saying you were not exposed to the best
• In the New Economy, what you know opens doors for
  you and bridges the gap between you and those
  you need to know in order to get to the place
  called there

3
ICTs to the Rescue

• Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
  provide an opportunity to connect with the global
  pace
• The major index for global readiness is ICTs.
  Nations now belong to two categories haves and
  have nots. Its literally the password of our
  times
• Nations like India have been able to transform
  their national identity and economic value
  through ICTs
• Its no longer about natural resources or volume
  of extractable oil, its about global
  competitiveness which is defined by the
  response of nations, people groups and
  individuals to ICTs
• ICTs have changed education, work, life and play

4
Against All Odds

• We all have excuses for our failure. But that
  is not acceptable if you fail in the days of
  adversity
• Your background, colour, school type and status
  are not hinderances to achieving the future you
  desire
• Against all odds, some young people are carving
  niches for themselves
• Youve 3 days on earth and how you use them
  decides whos celebrated and who celebrates
  others
• Yesterday your past must not hold you back.
  It must provide strength for progress
• Tomorrow your future can be what you desire
• Today is the day to PLAN and PREPARE for becoming
  the person you should be

5
Peer Energy

• You can build on PEER ENERGY for networking
• Personal Development What are the skills and
  attitudes (Law of 100) you need to acquire in
  order to move from the you that you are now to
  the you that you should be?
• Nation Building Each mans sense of worth is
  related to his nations well-being. What can you
  do for Ghana?
• Regional Cooperation Extend leadership to other
  nations after you have succeeded with the first 2
  rungs of the ladder. Heard about AYIN?
• Global Participation You are a global citizen
  and have the right to influence global decisions.
  Dont die in one continent!

6
Quo Vadis?

• Im sure this isnt your first meeting. What
  happens after today determines the value of time
  spent here
• What level of ICT knowledge do you have?
• What opportunities for learning do you have?
• Lay your hands on a computer and learn
  appropriate skills every career path has its
  link with ICTs
• eMail. Discussion lists. Online search.
  eLearning. Content push. Blogging. Web
  presence. These words describe opportunities
  waiting for you online
• The whole world will stand aside for a man who
  knows where hes going where are you headed in
  life? You need a Personal Mission Statement that
  serves as a roadmap deciding what opportunities
  you seek or grab!

7
Thank You

• Gbenga Sesan
• Program Manager / Team Leader
• Lagos Digital Village / Paradigm Initiative
  Nigeria
• www.gbengasesan.com me_at_gbengasesan.com

APTECH Ghana Youth ICT Seminar. February 5 2005.
Accra, Ghana