Redirecting Youth Energy in the Niger Delta

1. Redirecting Youth Energy in the Niger Delta …Information Technology as a Tool for Sustained Paradigm Shift ‘Gbenga Sesanwww.gbengasesan.com | me@gbengasesan.com Niger Delta Youth for Digital RevolutionPort Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. 01 May 2004.

2. Niger Delta: A Unique People Group Niger Delta Youth Did Someone Say Revolution? Dynamics of the Revolution Redirecting Youth Energy Niger Delta Youth: Way Forward Maximising Media Attention Niger Delta, et al…: A New Nigeria

3. Niger Delta: A Unique People Group • 9 of 35 states: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers • About 20 million (15.6% of Nigeria’s estimated 128 million) people • 40 Ethnic groups, 250 dialects and 3,000 communities • Responsible for about 85% of total government revenue BUT • GNP per capita in the region is below national average of US$ 280 • High growth rate combines with severe habitable land constraints • In 1978, about 120 children died within a week as a result of gas flaring from refineries, et al

4. Niger Delta: A Unique People Group Niger Delta Youth Did Someone Say Revolution? Dynamics of the Revolution Redirecting Youth Energy Niger Delta Youth: Way Forward Maximising Media Attention Niger Delta, et al…: A New Nigeria

5. Niger Delta Youth • Unlike our counterparts, we’ve grown to know an unfriendly environment. We grew up in it • We have been taken advantage of (and are still being taken advantage of) by political, unethical and destructive individuals and institutions • We have seen actions that needed to be met with equal and opposite reaction • We are smart negotiators, faced with harsh conditions but surviving • We hold the potential of restoring peace, economic might, due process, sustainable development, respect of human dignity and enduring structures to the Niger Delta

6. Niger Delta: A Unique People Group Niger Delta Youth Did Someone Say Revolution? Dynamics of the Revolution Redirecting Youth Energy Niger Delta Youth: Way Forward Maximising Media Attention Niger Delta, et al…: A New Nigeria

7. Did Someone Say Revolution? • Change is inevitable. World history speaks of revolutions that changed the face of nations • The world has woken up to a new kind of revolution. It’s intellectual… it’s digital! You’re either a “0” (onlooker) or a “1” (change agent) • The digital revolution has separated nations into “haves” and “have nots”, hence the Digital Divide • Each people group hold the responsibility of engaging the tools of this revolution for the benefit of their participation in the New Economy • This revolution does not respect location or physical resources. Good news for the Niger Delta Youth… whatever formula applies to our oil cannot hold back the positive explosion of our intellectual capital! No one can resist an idea whose time has come…

8. Niger Delta: A Unique People Group Niger Delta Youth Did Someone Say Revolution? Dynamics of the Revolution Redirecting Youth Energy Niger Delta Youth: Way Forward Maximising Media Attention Niger Delta, et al…: A New Nigeria

9. Dynamics of the Revolution • Human existence has gone through distinct phases – from pre-civilisation through the Agricultural and Industrial revolutions and to the Digital Revolution, which has birthed the Information Age • The Information Age is revealing a complex convergence that seeks to create a new society driven by information, communication and (emerging) technologies • This new society, the Information Society, is driven by ICTs, and an evident shrinkingof space and dissolution of physical boundaries – globalisation • The Information Society embraces a multi-stakeholder approach, bringing governments, businesses, civil society, academia and SIGs (e.g. youth) together

10. Niger Delta: A Unique People Group Niger Delta Youth Did Someone Say Revolution? Dynamics of the Revolution Redirecting Youth Energy Niger Delta Youth: Way Forward Maximising Media Attention Niger Delta, et al…: A New Nigeria

11. Redirecting Youth Energy • Youthful energy must always be expressed. It is like water… it can help you, and it can destroy • Destructive youth energy does more harm to the future than it does for today • There’s a strong need for us to redirect our energies for progressive efforts • Combined youth effort for positive efforts would be like a dam… if well handled, it can produce light to illuminate entire nations, continents and more! • If we fail in the days of adversity, we have no one to blame except ourselves, because when all the dust settles and we’re back to ourselves, we may have ourselves to blame for cutting our future short

12. Niger Delta: A Unique People Group Niger Delta Youth Did Someone Say Revolution? Dynamics of the Revolution Redirecting Youth Energy Niger Delta Youth: Way Forward Maximising Media Attention Niger Delta, et al…: A New Nigeria

13. Niger Delta Youth: Way Forward • Just like the dam paradigm, we need to work together towards the Niger Delta region of our dreams • Networking has become a lot easier, thanks to the Digital Revolution we speak of • eMail, online newsletters, discussion groups, and web presence (web pages, websites, online content) must be employed in our policy intervention, advocacy and project implementation efforts • We can harness the potentials of these ICT tools – and more – for the purpose of personal development, nation building, regional cooperation and global participation • It is not about what Nigeria has to offer Niger Delta youths, but what we have to offer Nigeria!

14. Niger Delta: A Unique People Group Niger Delta Youth Did Someone Say Revolution? Dynamics of the Revolution Redirecting Youth Energy Niger Delta Youth: Way Forward Maximising Media Attention Niger Delta, et al…: A New Nigeria

15. Maximising Media Attention • Niger Delta youth enjoy lots of media attention, and this can be put to positive use • The fourth estate needs to work together with Niger Delta’s youth to replace the ugly pictures and scary headlines with positive efforts – because they exist • Since Niger delta youth seem to hold a lot of attention when we walk into media houses, lets put this to positive use • Positive peer pressure would be a major tool for positive change as we move on • Interesting observation: An online search for “Niger Delta” reveals much of the trouble in the region but change the search focus to “Niger Delta Youth” and you will find amazing positive projects listed

16. Niger Delta: A Unique People Group Niger Delta Youth Did Someone Say Revolution? Dynamics of the Revolution Redirecting Youth Energy Niger Delta Youth: Way Forward Maximising Media Attention Niger Delta, et al…: A New Nigeria

17. Niger Delta, et al…: A New Nigeria • In unison with the Niger Delta, young Nigerians are demanding for a new identity, a nation we can proudly call our own dear nation. One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity! • “O God of creation, direct our noble cause. Guide our leaders right, and help the youths the truth to know” • “I see a new Nigeria emerging…one that will be built on the labours of our heroes past, hewn out of the debris of the present waste and engineered by the strength of the future leaders: the youth. These young men and women will adopt Information Technology for the purpose of personal development, nation building, regional cooperation and global participation. They exist unknown today, but in the secrecy of their abode, they master the tool that will change their lives and that of their nation. They are silently building the nation’s tomorrow today”

18. Redirecting Youth Energy in the Niger Delta …Information Technology as a Tool for Sustained Paradigm Shift ‘Gbenga Sesanwww.gbengasesan.com | me@gbengasesan.com Niger Delta Youth for Digital RevolutionPort Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. 01 May 2004.