Lagos — Submission of Memorandum to the National Political Reform Conference (NPRC) by the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) Group of Twenty-Two (ICT-G22) recently.Excerpts:

Furthermore, employers require staff to have the skills necessary to collaborate, work in teams, and share information across global networks, that is, to analyze issues from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Because these networks are international, employers seek out individuals who have the capacity to effectively interact with others beyond national boarders."

The simple fact which we all ascribe and must agree to is that, if we compare our world today with the world one hundred years ago, we would encounter amazing advances in science, commerce, health care, transportation, and countless other areas. Now, let us advance our thought along this line on what will happen to us and the changing world, one hundred years from now! One thing is clear: It will be a world ruled by Nano-Sciences and Nano-Technology - where knowledge in the nanoscale (very-tiny-scale) becomes the centre of gravity for human progress, productivity, sustainable growth and creation of wealth.

2.2 IMPACT AND CONSEQUENCES OF ICT REVOLUTION

Compared to the impact of the Industrial Revolution, the emerging world that is likely to crystallize within the next few decades is that of a developing nation, such as Nigeria, that would feel the suffocating impact of science and technology pressure. The "globalization tsunami" will definitely submerge a few nations! Will Nigeria survive this global knowledge tsunami? Current index of our National Development Cycle informs otherwise. However, with a dint of accelerated and timely hard work, we may be lucky to leapfrog and survive the impact of the 21st century knowledge society surge. In any case, no nation will wait for the other in this fearful adventure on the survival of the "knowledge" of the fittest. In today's information and knowledge-driven world, a whole new set of skills are required to survive. It is a brave new world, where wishes are not horses. Indeed, it is a world where now values have changed and where only information- and knowledge-sensitised nations survives!

As a matter of urgency, we emphasise the need to ensure that Nigeria stand up to be counted! Fortunately, it is already easy to see and feel the impact of Digital/Mobile phones on Nigerian lives, before and after its introduction. This is just one of the many ICT offerings that should be dividends of democracy.

SECTION THREE

WHAT MUST NIGERIA DO TO SUCCEED IN THE 21st CENTURY?

First, it is our candid professional opinion that Nigeria cannot attain any meaningful qualitative development within the global context without ensuring:

1 That there is constant and un-interruptible electricity supply at all points and at all times. We used to hear that knowledge is power. But for Nigeria, 'constant Power' (electricity) will become the real knowledge tool for engaging 21st century global competitiveness!

2 That its people, especially the mass of rural dwellers, are empowered with information and knowledge that are pertinent to raising their quality of life.

Furthermore, there is an urgent need to re-define, update and refocus our national development strategies to critically address ICT Intervention and constructive engagement in nine critical areas. These are:

a. "SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY"

b. "INFRASTRUCTURE"

c. "EDUCATION & HEALTH"

d. "GOVERNANCE & LEGISLATION"

e. "INDUSTRY & COMMERCE"

f. "RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT"

g. "PUBLIC-PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIP"

h. "GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS"

i. "RURAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT"

SECTION FOUR

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The Nigerian structure of Government, Industry and Academia (knowledge base) has been disconnected for too long a time by applying such an out-dated strategy as 'EVEN DEVELOPMENT'. We have deactivated the machinery of progressive development, which grossly contributed to the under-development of our nation. Now is the time to re-connect governance with industry and academia, through a science, technology and knowledge-based public-private partnership (PPP) initiative as a strategic vehicle for national development and global competitiveness.

Based on the above submissions, members of ICT-G22 in concluding this Memorandum wish to recommend the following principles as the best way forward in resolving Nigeria's perpetual crises of nation-building for the attainment of progressive development, global competitiveness, wealth creation and prosperity - through the following declaration:

ICT-G22 DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES

This declaration was first formulated on 11th August 2003 and has since been updated to fully represent the vision, mission and aspirations of all members of Nigerian Information Technology Think Tank (hereinafter known as NITTT) and presently constituted for the purpose of this Memorandum as ICT-G22 .

WHEREAS Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) and Education have become issues of major concern to all nations and indeed have now been recognised as the core tools for a more purposeful and sustainable development and creation of wealth.

WHEREAS the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria - the single largest concentration of Black people on Earth - having recognised that knowledge, information and communication are the core attributes of human progress, for engaging the challenges of creating a responsive information society (IS); and

WHEREAS the ICT-G22 , believing that the associated knowledge-enabling environment requires constant monitoring and updating for the Nation to thrive in a world that is constantly changing, has submitted this Memoranda for adoption by the National Conference Committee, through its Secretariat.

WHEREAS we the members of ICT-G22 (in Nigeria and in Diaspora), concerned with cultivating a better future for Nigeria ICT, assembled in Cyberspace HEREBY declare:

1. We are Nigerians that are convinced and share the common vision that the survival of nations of the 21st century depends solely on the incubation and mastery of knowledge-based Information and communication technologies (ICT's) and application systems.

2. We have resolved to:

i) put our individual and collective ability to innovate, create and share ICT-driven knowledge as the driving force and strategic imperative for nation building and competitiveness.

ii) advocate for, and make inputs where, as and when necessary towards the cultivation, modulation, sustenance and implementation processes and operations of relevant National Policies to fully serve the interests and respond to the aspirations of all Nigerian stakeholders world wide.

iii) establish a "people-first" ICT framework and corresponding institutions that meet/exceed global standards and respond to global challenges.

iv) give top priority to harnessing and marshalling the enormous potential and resources of Nigerians at home and in Diaspora to bear on issues of Nigeria's National Development as a prerequisite to active participation in the global knowledge Olympiad.

v) ensure that our works and services lead to the following; a. Knowledge-based enabling environment, strategic National Information Infrastructure, technology capacity building and human progress (b) Good Governance, better education for Nigerian Children, enhanced policy instrument and vibrant market environment, (c) Improved national security and protection of life and human worthiness at all levels (d) Standardisation, focused Spectrum Management, engaging and mastering the Internet and knowledge networks (e) Reversing our brain drain misadventure into brain-gain, preserving our cultural identity and (f) Creating ICT Application, content and domesticating technology through a conscious Research, Design and Development (RD&D) strategy, advocacy and activities.

3. We strongly advocate for and recommend an urgent need to re-define, update and refocus our national development strategies to critically address and adopt ICT Intervention and constructive engagement in the nine critical areas identified in Section Three above.

4. Nigeria Technology Identity: We must build the critical mass and enough capacity to domesticate quality technology and build an international brand - that we all can identify with pride, as "Made in Nigeria." We recommend the establishment of a National IT Commission and a Master Plan for the development of Software-Nigeria.

5. We further recommend that ICT Literacy be recognised as a Fundamental Human Right of all Nigerians and enshrined in the new Constitution.

We thank you in anticipation of your approval and adoption of the content and recommendations of this Memorandum. We assure you of our readiness to appear at the instance of the conference committee's invitation to expand on this submission, through a presentation and electronic multi-media demonstration.

ICT-G22 Signatories:

Name Country of Residence

Adamu, Jonathan Kish (Barrister) Nigeria

Ajijola, Abdul-Hakeem Nigeria

Akano, Usman Gbadebo, PhD Canada

Aluko, Mobolaji E., PhD United States of America

Aniebonam, Emmanuel C., PhD United States of America

Bada, Abiodun, PhD United States of America

Chife, Aloy, PhD Nigeria

Folayan, Sunday Adekunle Nigeria

Guobadia, Osaretin Oswald United States of America

Ibrahim, Aminatu (Mrs.) Nigeria

Ibrahim, Aminu Mamman, DVM Nigeria

Kadiri, Maxwell Nigeria

Mouka, Reuben Nigeria

Odinma, Augustine, PhD United Kingdom

Ogunlana, Kolawole Nigeria

Omo-Ettu, Titi Nigeria

Onwudiwe, Uche United States of America

Owei, Vesper, PhD United States of America

Udobong, Edna Eguh, LLM United States of America

Umar, Jummai Z. Nigeria

Uwaje, Chris Nigeria

Williams, Seni Nigeria