Nigeria: In search of God of Technology?
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VERILY, Verily I say unto you, Children of Nigeria: Unless you consciously change your ways and attitude and fully embrace Science and Information Technology, God may surprisingly shock the nation and her citizenry, if Nigeria fails to take advantage of the Digital promise and opportunities of knowledge automation presented by 21st century information society! Indeed, if we have faith in God and his recent election message to Nigeria – for transparent leadership and governance throughout Africa, then, this is the time to listen to the wakeup call of making Information Technology the centerpiece of our national development mission or perish?
The above subject matter was informed by my informal discussion with ‘Uncle Sam Amuka’ – Publisher of Vanguard News Paper – an accomplished and inspirational Nigerian knowledge model, better described as a citadel of monumental humility and bundle of wisdom – after my recent appearance on Channels Television to discuss “Technology, 2015-Election and Governance in Nigeria”.
In the feedback encounter with Uncle Sam Amuka one significant thing was identified and perhaps reveled. That is: The audacity to belief and build trust. According to Uncle Sam, “In life, there is need to belief in something. Nigeria has started to have faith and build the trust for the future of sustainable democracy”.
Indeed, the outcome of Nigeria 2015 Presidential Election is a sign of God – applying and using Information Technology to commence the delivery of free and fair election. Secondly, the most critical lesson learned from the 2015 Presidential election is that all the problems of Nigeria (incorporating Corruption, Terrorism, Technophobia, Nepotism, Ignorance, Tribalism, Anti-Merit syndrome, Hate and Excessive Greed, etc) translate into ‘the absence of the culture of truth and contentment’ and indeed, the absence of a credible institutional umpire to administer truth, fairness and justice at all levels – in the face imperialism and the blatant failure of the custodians of the rule of Law!
While we congratulate INEC & Nigerians, there is need to unequivocally emphasize that Information Technology is the CENTRE of gravity of the current success of electoral processes in Nigeria! Today, the world is electronically connected with over 16billion devices on the Internet – providing access to knowledge transmission of quantum of trillions of terabyte of data, (IPv4 to IPv6).
Relevant white papers show that, five (5) years from now, over 40 billion devices will be connected to the Internet.
God help the nation that neglects to strategically respond to the current challenges of building commensurate capacities and innovative capabilities for her survival. Nigeria be warned! If we have the privilege to mine existing electronic Data in the Nigeria IT Space, – It will reveal that the 2015 election was technologically decided four Years ago on Social Media, going by the post election data on the 2011 election.
With 70 per ecnt of Nigeria’s population who are youth and equipped with more than 80 million smart phones of the available over 134 million Mobile phones, it no surprise that the 2015 election is and will predominantly be decided by mobile technology interface.
General Buhari as CEO is elected to govern 180 million Nigerians, but he may not deliver the dividend of Democracy, unless Information Technology and IT Professionals are at the centre of his leadership program. It is practically impossible today to govern effectively and transparently without Information Technology.
Paper Ballots: The first use of paper ballots to conduct an election appears to have been in Rome in 139 BC, and the first use of paper ballots in the United States was in 1629 to select a pastor for the Salem Church.
All in All, Information Technology has made the great difference in the 2015 Presidential election. It has relatively rescued transparency and restored truth as the ultimate currency for the prosperous future of Nigeria.
Therefore, sustaining the critical path and role of information technology to deliver peoples-first, smart and innovative governance is a strategic imperative for our survivability and global competitiveness.
I am concerned, just like other IT Professionals and Practitioners that while technology is at the centre of the electoral processes, Nigeria IT professionals have been totally eclipsed out of the process – against the spirit of Nigeria Local Content ACT 2010 and CPN Act 49 of 1993.Whereas, more than 40 Years ago, a Nigerian Dr. Issaic Odeyemi, became the 1st African to earn a PhD in Computer Science.
Today, we have only 129 Universities for 180 million people. Whereas, the city of Hanoi (Vietnam) with 7 million people has about 103 Universities and Mexico has more than 300 Universities.
Uwaje is a former President, ISPON.
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3 Comments
The problem is that we are blind to see the hand writing on the wall even so stupid to know when God is doing something and when our oppressors are doing something. That’s why they will always look at us an laugh. The West and their strong men like Obasanjo etc once again displayed their supremacy by imposing another General on us is not God,this where we got it wrong.
Having said this without much explanation Technology and science is still very far because they would not want us to have it.
We want science and Technology but we don’t want to sacrifice, we want Nigerian to remain the same old way, injustice and tribalism, Have you seen good development with out competition? Just oil from the south .
We are pretending as if we don’t know that the constitutional conference called by Jonathan should have brought rapid development but nothing of it is mentioned again today instead we stupid Nigerians are here thanking God and dreaming about science and technology and rejecting administration that took concrete steps to bring long expected change
Well said Jay Ndu, sad happenings in Nigeria…we are watching!
Academics , scientists and engineers have been declaring this for ages. I wrote to then newly elected President Jonathan in 2011 , to make science and Engineering, technology , manufacturing and entrepreneurship a national priority at local, state and national levels. Its not just IT that needs the attention . Its the whole pipeline of scientific inquiry, discovery and problem solving . Technology determines prosperity. Globacom should have a research and discovery lab, and plan to design and manufacure cell phones locally. There should Government labs devoted to science and engineering research and linked to universities and private sector entrepreneurs. We must solve our own problems and stop relying on importing every thing from cell phones , to medicines to guns. The black race is disrespected because we are yet to contribute significantly and recently to scientific and technological advancement of man from Africa. That must begin to change.
We will review and take appropriate action.