Information and Communication Technology Development Opportunities and the Role of Youth
Information and Communication Technology: Development Opportunities and the role of Youth
SESAN, O. O. Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Published in This Day Newspaper; Vol. 7, No 2265, Page 25. Thursday, July 5, 2001. 1. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is the convergence of microelectronics, computing and telecommunications. It has become a global phenomenon of great importance and concern in all spheres of human endeavour, spanning across education, governance, business, market share, labour, productivity, agriculture, trade, commerce and others. It thus poses an automatic challenge to everyone, particularly the youths. For example, graduating students moving into an Information Technology dominated work place must acquire necessary skills to avoid being victims of the digital divide. 2. DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES Diverse development opportunities have opened up due to the influence of ICT and developing nations now have the opportunity of leapfrogging into the information age by employing the powers of Information and Communication Technology. Areas such as Software development and Satellite Communications can provide opportunities for youths of developing nations. Nigeria, for example, has reacted to the global challenge by indicating its interest in the mass production of ICT experts in the tune of almost a million young people. Job creation is also an opportunity provided by ICT. Presently, the whole global village is experiencing a shortage of ICT skills and tackling the challenge would obviously promote development. The United Kingdom’s interest in being the best place to do eCommerce by 2002 is fast changing the face of their education, industrial applications and research opportunities. Wealth creation and economic growth opportunities are also offshoots of the impact of ICT on developing nations, among
SESAN, O. O. Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Published in This Day Newspaper; Vol. 7, No 2265, Page 25. Thursday, July 5, 2001. 1. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is the convergence of microelectronics, computing and telecommunications. It has become a global phenomenon of great importance and concern in all spheres of human endeavour, spanning across education, governance, business, market share, labour, productivity, agriculture, trade, commerce and others. It thus poses an automatic challenge to everyone, particularly the youths. For example, graduating students moving into an Information Technology dominated work place must acquire necessary skills to avoid being victims of the digital divide. 2. DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES Diverse development opportunities have opened up due to the influence of ICT and developing nations now have the opportunity of leapfrogging into the information age by employing the powers of Information and Communication Technology. Areas such as Software development and Satellite Communications can provide opportunities for youths of developing nations. Nigeria, for example, has reacted to the global challenge by indicating its interest in the mass production of ICT experts in the tune of almost a million young people. Job creation is also an opportunity provided by ICT. Presently, the whole global village is experiencing a shortage of ICT skills and tackling the challenge would obviously promote development. The United Kingdom’s interest in being the best place to do eCommerce by 2002 is fast changing the face of their education, industrial applications and research opportunities. Wealth creation and economic growth opportunities are also offshoots of the impact of ICT on developing nations, among
References: http://www.view2.com/articles/ec_stats.htm; AJAYI, G. O., "ICT development in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities to the Academic community"; EMEAGWALI, P., "Can Nigeria vault into the Information Age?"; KEHINDE, L. O., "The present demand of Information Technology on Nigerian students"; SESAN, O. O., "eCommerce, Nigeria and the Next Generation"; UWAJE, C., "Information Technology and the Future of Nigeria".