Lagos — Time might be perceived, defined and configured as being relative. But ironically the law of relativity is some kind of wisdom that spurs the mind and commands us to search the universe for better solution.

Such a phenomena challenges the thought process and requires indept observation- this critical mass that makes us listen to the voice of wisdom wrapped in timelessness!

This is perhaps the time in the life of "that living creature" called Nigeria to turn the head, refocus the mind and listen to her inner-self. This is the right time for Nigeria to ponder and listen to the voice of her productive children echoed through this global wilderness of the emerging Information Age.

This is the voice of Dr. Philip Emeagwali and more than a million other Nigerian super-brains in Diaspora - who perhaps through the global observatory lenses - can proffer functional solutions to the astronomical challenges poised to the Nigerian (nay African) nation in the 21st Century Information Age. And listen must we not before we miss the golden opportunity of seeing similar a comet? What is the harm in listening?

Conventional wisdom dictates that it take few men (and women too) to change the world. Also, it takes just a few dedicated Nigerian to make science and technology work positively for her. Perhaps Philip Chukwurah Emeagwali and many other Nigerian super-brains in Diaspora indisputably possess the capability to spur the nation to greatness. Ignore "perhaps" - there is no doubt about the above statement!

We cannot continue to pretend that we are more Nigerian than Dr. Emeagwali and a million others - outside our shores - who are conscious and committed stake holders in the Nigerian (African) dream of the Information Age.

I have taken great pains and abundant valuable time to research on the works, invention, life and times and philosophy of Dr. Philip Emeagwali and found him to be 'one Einstein too many'! He is one man- child Nigeria cannot afford not to listen to. And indeed one man Nigeria MUST listen to and benefit from if she must find her bearing to progress and managing change in the information age. After all, his seeds of technology (knowledge) mastery has been sown all over the world - and now benefit many billions of human beings. The world cannot be wrong. He is our own man-child.

What and who is that demon that makes us reject our own - our very best? Who said our own is not good or cannot be made better than other?That soul must have lied to you and me! Before we slip into the negative deep furrows of the impact of the emerging digital divide- capable of creating an excruciating pains down the marrow's of our bones - we must listen to the likes of Emeagwali, the African super brain on how to combat poverty with knowledge.

Emeagwali has proved that the thin line between 'development' and 'under-development' is "KNOWLEDGE". Today, Emeagwali is not only known as the father of the Internet - according to popular opinion pool in the United States of America, but indeed the only individual human on the face of the planet earth that has broken the scientific computing record - Graham Bell Award refers.

Now, let's listen to the IQ superlative and genius called Dr. Philip Chukwurah Emeagwali;

Emeagwali on the Third Millennium (BBC Radio; 30 minutes) Broadcast and web site on BBC Radio's "Network Africa" breakfast show on January 1, 2000. Emeagwali spoke by telephone from the United States. Below is a partial transcript from the entire 30 minute program.

TRANSCRIPT:

BBC RADIO : What can technology do for Africa and what can Africa do for technology?

One man who should know better than most of us is the most respected computer scientist in the world. He is a Nigerian, Philip Emeagwali, who is based in the United State of America.

Philip Emeagwali: Technology is what creates wealth. And as Kwame Nkrumah said: "Socialism without science is void." So technology is the engine that creates economic wealth . And as we know Africa is the poorest continent . And in order to alleviate poverty we need to create wealth. So we need more scientists that will allow us create wealth and develop Africa.

BBC Radio: Is there any particular technology that you will recommend to be appropriate for Africa's development needs?

Philip Emeagwali: Well it is interesting. Generally, the widely held belief is that certain type of technologies are more appropriate for Africa

For example, many people belief that solar, hydro and wind energy technologies will be appropriate for Africa. But we tend to forget that those technologies have been inefficient and don't work in the United States. And so if they didn't work in America, they will not work in Africa.

As a former civil engineer, I also know that hydroelectric dams and reservoir and similar technologies have negative impacts on the environment and so will not work in Africa.

What I truly belief is that we should focus on high technology. The reason is that high technology creates higher wealth than low technology.

BBC Radio : Excuse me, when you say high technology what do you refer to as high technology that will be appropriate for Africa.

Philip Emeagwali: Well, it includes many things for example. The computers, Internet and telecommunications.

But what I am trying to say is that if you are trying to create wealth you need to have a three-pronged approach in which you focus evenly on Agriculture, Industry and Information Age.

The reason is that everybody, the whole world is moving towards the Information Age and we don't want to be left behind.

BBC Radio: Just one final question: One of our listeners has predicted that an African will be the first person to land on the planet Mars. Do you think that is a strong possibility?

Philip Emeagwali: Yes, an African can be among the crew of astronauts to land on the planet Mars.

I have applied to become an astronaut and NASA sent me a note last week informing me that my application will be reviewed in January. So even if I don't get selected as astronaut, I expect an African to be selected in the future and to travel to the planet Mars by the middle of the 21st century.

BBC Radio: World renown Nigerian computer scientist, Philip Emeagwali, speaking from Baltimore in the United States of America.

*Chris Uwaje is the National President of Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN).