STAND OUT !

1
STAND OUT ! Dare to be different and live your
dream
Gbenga Sesan Nigerias Information Technology
Youth Ambassador www.gbengasesan.com
me_at_gbengasesan.com Taking IT Global Nigeria
Day SUG Auditorium, University of Lagos, Lagos,
NIGERIA. September 20, 2003
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Just before we discuss
There are two people beside you one to the
right and the other on the left. Take a quick
look at both sides and I bet you cant tell who
theyll be in six years. In six months? Maybe you
can tell wholl be graduating from one
institution or the other. But in six years? That
will be tough What then, makes the difference
between the lucky guy, or fortunate lady, and
you? Thats why were here. How can I STAND OUT
and make a difference in my generation?
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Outline

• Where have the youth been?
• Deciding for nation building
• ICTs Platform for participation
• What are todays youth doing?
• Dare to be dIfFeReNt
• Call to Action WSIS Policy Train
• Conclusion

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Where have the youth been?

• Much attention was not given to youth before now
  (especially in Nigeria). Youth was almost always
  trouble or aluta
• The whole world is beginning to (better)
  appreciate the place of Youth Empowerment in the
  development of nations, regions and people-groups
• Young people are beginning to understand that we
  must begin to take action now if we want to
  experience a stable and enjoyable tomorrow
• If youre still one of those who want mind their
  own businesses without much concern about what
  happens to their nation, you need to pay more
  attention to this discussion

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Deciding for Nation Building

• Lets face it, an average young Nigerian cares
  more about what he gets, over what he gives.
  Think not only of what your nation can do for
  you but what you can do for your nation
• Why call barren, a land that produces plenty?
  This same country has produced the worlds best
  in diverse fields
• Every great nation is a product of deliberate
  efforts at Nation Building by all classes of
  people, no matter their age-group, sex or
  ideological group
• Building the nation may not begin with an
  explosion, but with a silent revolution preceded
  by a personal resolution

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ICTs Platform for Participation

• ICTs Convergence of Communications, Computers,
  Consumer electronics, Content
• Through ICTs, the borders that seperated
  countries have melted. Global events are
  witnessed at the same time regardless of distance
  or space
• ICTs provide an opportunity for the last man
  to get connected to every other person
• ICTs have opened doors of participation in
  nation building and global relevance to all who
  decide to get involved. eConferences, eMail,
  satellite broadcasting, etc, etc
• Access is the issue, not the absence of a
  platform

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What are todays youth doing?

• Being a member is NOT good enough. Take ACTION
• ITU Africa 2001, Johannesburg98 young people
  from almost all African countries invited by the
  ITU through an essay writing competition worked
  together and set the tone for the African Youth
  Initiative - www.ayinitiative.net
• WSIS PrepCom 1, GenevaLess than 10 young people
  representing different continents warm their way
  into hearts of delegates and established the
  Youth Caucus of the WSIS and the YCDO framework
  www.ycdo.net
• Paradigm Initiative Nigeria6 young Nigerian
  graduates who, along with their primary jobs,
  are committed to the empowerment and inclusion of
  Nigerias youth in national development and
  global participation www.pin.itgo.com

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Dare to be dIfFeReNt

• Have you noticed that those who eventually help
  in nation building are those who have built a
  successful life, or at least have discovered what
  exactly they want to carve out of their lives and
  existence?
• The whole world stands aside for a man who
  knows where hes going
• I find that the harder I work, the more luck I
  seem to have - Thomas Jefferson. Wondering if
  its luck? Ask the likes of Philip Emeagwali,
  Wole Soyinka, Ben Carson
• Personal development prepares you for nation
  building, and global participation / relevance

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Call To Action WSIS Policy Train

• The ongoing World Summit on the Information
  Society involves youth www.wsis.org
• Nigeria is actively involved in the WSIS
  process, and the same goes for young Nigerians
  www.ycdo.net/policy/wsis-nigeria
• Between October 11 and 22 (2003), a Policy Train
  will bring the WSIS process to three regions in
  Nigeria East, West and North (Port Harcourt,
  Kano and Lagos)
• To participate
• Join the WSIS Youth (Nigeria) Caucus at
  www.ycdo.net/policy/wsis-nigeria
• Send an email to me_at_gbengasesan.com or
  bsoremi_at_wangonet.org if you live in any of the 3
  cities

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Conclusion
I see a new Nigeria emerging, one that will be
built on the labours of ours heroes past, hewn
out of the debris of the present waste, and
engineered by the strength of tomorrows leaders
the youth. These young men and women will adopt
IT for the purpose of personal development,
nation building, regional cooperation and global
participation. They may be unknown today, but in
the secrecy of their abode, they master the tools
that will change their lives and that of the
nation. Theyre building the nations tomorrow
today.
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STAND OUT ! Dare to be different and live your
dream
THANK YOU
Gbenga Sesan Nigerias Information Technology
Youth Ambassador www.gbengasesan.com
me_at_gbengasesan.com Taking IT Global Nigeria
Day SUG Auditorium, University of Lagos, Lagos,
NIGERIA. September 20, 2003