IN MY OWN WORDS
‘Gbenga Sesan
Published by Imprimata
Copyright © ‘Gbenga Sesan 2009
‘Gbenga Sesan has asserted his rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical or otherwise and whether invented now or subsequently) without the prior written permission of the publisher or be otherwise circulated in any form, other than that in which it is published, without a similar including this condition being imposed on any subsequent publisher. Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil action.
A CIP Catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN 978-1-906192-46-4
Smashwords Edition
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To Temilade, as we begin the second phase of this journey together.
Acknowledgements
This book was made possible by many people, and I owe them deep appreciation for the various roles they played in shaping the experiences that informed the content of the book.
Prof. Pat Utomi, thanks for reading through the book and writing the foreword. Your personal example in servant leadership and deliberate influence have shaped much of the past few years of my career and life, and I’m sure I speak on behalf of millions of young Nigerians when I say that you provide for us the kind of mentor that we wish to be like when we grow up! In writing the introductory text for each chapter of this book, I have reflected on the many opportunities I’ve had to stand on the shoulders of the world’s best. Having been mentored by men and women whose dedication to their primary assignments shine through, I remain grateful for the opportunity to meet them in person -- or at least be greatly influenced by their efforts.
My first encounter with Prof. Wole Soyinka was in elementary school, when I played the role of Chume in his popular play, Trials of Brother Jero. Add my dad’s clear preference for Soyinka’s works as evident through the library he kept as an academic with a strong background in English and History, and you will understand my long-standing respect for the man who would later present me with the plaque at my investiture as Nigeria’s Information Technology Youth Ambassador. Since then, ‘Prof’ has remained a true mentor and I must thank him for finding time to write all those references and enduring my many eMails, ideas and multiple invitations.
When I heard about Philip Emeagwali in 2000 and decided to write him, I simply assumed that he would not respond to my eMail -- but he did. Not only did he reply, he also connected me with the man Nigerians have come to know as the ‘oracle of I.T.’, Chris Uwaje. Coming into my life at a time when I was just about stepping into the industry, they helped shape my view of the huge opportunity that lay ahead of me in the Nigerian ICT space. They built on the earlier work of my first Information Technology mentor, Dr. James Sotomi of blessed memory; his was the baptism of fire that reconnected me with the passion that was planted the day I was denied access to what would have been my first experience with a computer in 1991.
Little did I know that while I was seeking for a platform to deliver my career and interest in spreading the word about ICT literacy in Nigeria, Engr. Titi Omo-Ettu was also searching for a young Nigerian who would prove his point that Nigeria could produce young people that can hold their own anywhere they found themselves in the world. Thanks for creating that I. T. Youth Ambassador scheme, and I promise to take it to the next level! I wouldn’t have won that competition if I didn’t have the support of my employers at Junior Achievement of Nigeria, Simi Sanni-Nwogwugwu and Osayi Alile-Oruene. Thanks for trusting me with the many assignments you gave me back then, and laying the foundation for my present non-profit interventions.
Owing to many complexities, deciding to work for change in Nigeria can be an almost impossible task but I must thank Dr. Tunde Bakare for his example in sticking with the message of change even at the risk of his life and becoming unpopular. Sir, this book is another expression of what the new breed without greed has to offer - a radical opposition to the status quo! To the many mentors, friends, colleagues and institutions that endorsed this book, thank you! To Rosemary Ajayi, Ugo Nwosu, Ohimai Amaize, Korede Asuni and Tayo Opatayo, another huge thanks for your support of the book and the vision behind it. To Mr. J. O. Sesan, Mrs. D. B. Sesan, Tunde Sesan, Jumoke Oluwatosin, Femi Aladejana and Tosin Sesan, I couldn’t have asked for a better environment for my early days - and thanks for your unique understanding during the many years I had to plant the seeds of the vision. Temilade, oro po! I would like to thank you, my wife and first editor, for the understanding and encouragement you continue to show my work, a body of knowledge you know very well.
To the many groups and institutions that invited me for various meetings, thanks for providing the platform that informed the presentations that have now become available to many more people through this book. To the International Telecommunications Union, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, TakingITGlobal, Heinrich Boll Foundation and the many other institutions that supported my active global career in ICTs, thanks for adding value to the content of this book. And to the man that transformed the manuscript into a book worthy of publication, Iain Burns, thank you. I appreciate the entire Imprimata team and look forward to the next book project with you!
I hope that everyone who reads this book is able to enjoy the story, borrow from the lessons and also share the same with others.
Comments and Endorsements
“Youths like [‘Gbenga] rejuvenate us and whip our flagging energies.” – Prof. Wole Soyinka
“Those of us in the Diaspora appreciate your contribution. Please continue your good work.” – Prof. Philip Emeagwali
“‘Gbenga Sesan is a man with a mission - to preach the gospel of computers to Nigeria’s youth...” – British Broadcasting Corporation
“As a matter of fact, this alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University (‘Gbenga Sesan) might just qualify as one of the most internationally acclaimed young Nigerians outside the sporting arena...” – Genevieve Magazine
“... among his ilk in the Information
Technology (IT) community, not only does the name ‘Gbenga Sesan
ring a bell, it stands as an authority in that field. ‘Gbenga ...
could well pass as the youngest Nigerian IT guru and ambassador,
given his work within and outside Nigerian shores.”
– Sun
Newspapers
“People who know about ‘Gbenga Sesan and the much he has managed to achieve have always wondered at his story.... Many look at him and see a role model for taking uncharted courses and taking keen advantage of opportunities...” – Guardian Life
“In his selection as an Archbishop Tutu Fellow we have an expectation that ‘Gbenga will in the future be one of the most influential leaders of the development and transformation of Africa, particularly in the field of ICT. His impressive achievements to date demonstrate he is on the path to fulfilling our expectations of his leadership capabilities.” – Peter Wilson, Executive Director, African Leadership Institute
“I feel humbled to comment beside the great names I’m sure will have the opportunity to comment on this masterpiece. ‘Gbenga Sesan has not ceased to amaze me with his depth of knowledge, his passion for development and his heart for Nigeria and Africa. Every Nigerian that will still be around in 17 years (by 2025) – and that hopes to be relevant at the time – needs to grab a copy of this.” – Adeolu Akinyemi, Founder, New Nigeria Club
“‘Gbenga is an inspirational leader who has demonstrated the power in overcoming boundaries. This book shares his compelling story of utilizing technologies as a means for development.” – Jennifer Corriero, Executive Director, TakingITGlobal.org
“‘Gbenga worked with me in the United Nations WSIS Youth Caucus. He is a very inspiring person who can successfully realize projects from vision to implementation. ‘Gbenga truly belongs to the next generation crowd of people who have the potential to change the world!” – Thomas Biebl, Austria
“Both ‘Gbenga and I worked together on the [United Nation’s] World Summit on the Information Society Youth Caucus. ‘Gbenga is an inspirational leader in the African IT field, devoted to the development of his country through practical projects and organisations. He enthuses and motivates others, and brings to his work a great degree of integrity and reliability.” – Nick Moraitis, Manager, Greenpeace
“‘Gbenga is one of the finest examples of leadership in today’s Nigeria. His courage, determination, and sheer passion for excellence have distinguished him as a veritable force in the sphere of ICT and youth development. He exemplifies the truth that in order to succeed, talent must be combined with discipline, courage and progressive action. I am proud to be associated with this excellent man.” – Modupe Adefeso, Associate Director, Youth Dynamix
“[Describing] ‘Gbenga in a few lines is almost impossible.... [He is a] young man who is restless for the development of the Third World through ICTs...” – The Business Woman Magazine
“It is the editor’s opinion that [‘Gbenga] is a miracle... the corporate thrust of the likes of ‘Gbenga Sesan is imperative for the emergence of a New Nigeria.” – Arrowheads Magazine
“‘Gbenga believes that the digital
divide between Africa and developed countries can be bridged by
Africans adopting the use of ICTs as a tool for development. He
doesn’t just believe by talking about it but he is one of the very
few people I know who are working consistently towards bridging this
gap. Keep up the good work man!”
– Kayode Afolabi,
Consultant, British Telecommunications
“‘Gbenga is someone I would work with ten million times over. ‘He is proactive, innovative, dynamic and very resourceful. He’s also very caring; he would go to any length for you...” – Sanni Muhammed
“[‘Gbenga] represents a generation of brilliant young people who have an idea of where they are headed in life...” – Young & Emerging Leaders Magazine
“It is a difficult task to summarize the life of someone who has accomplished so much in such little time. At the young age of 30, ‘Gbenga Sesan has touched the lives of thousands of youth living in Africa... If there is one word that I would use to describe his life, it would be inspirational. His passion and commitment, which are illustrated in this book, will surely inspire its readers, just as it has inspired me.” – Claudia Pompa, Incubadora de Empresas - Junior Achievement, Paraguay
“Success stories of role models like ‘Gbenga Sesan provide an encouraging environment for other young people…. ‘Gbenga is a perfect example of positive peer influence.” – Ugo Nwosu, Project Manager, Ajegunle.org