The ancient city of Athens is playing host to the world over the next few days, and the event that brings everyone together is the much-awaited first meeting of th Internet Governance Forum (IGF). The IGF is a follow-up meeting to the concluded World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) that held in Geneva (2003) and Tunis (2005), and holding the first meeting in Athens (a city known for myths and ancient landmarks) is some sort of marriage between the old (city) and the new (Internet technologies).

On the IGF community website, IGF2006.info, a good description of the event is given: “The Internet Governance Forum, or IGF, is a remarkable experiment in knowledge and experience sharing across the Internet by all the people that use it, including business, governments, organisations and you, the individual. ‘Governance’ does not mean ‘government’, but rather the large and ongoing decisions made by societies across the globe when dealingwith the Internet. At this inaugural meeting in Athens, the issues have been divided into four main categories: openness, security, diversity and access.”

While tons of text and speeches will fly around in the next few days, it is hoped that at the end of the meeting, the world’s appropriate and accessible use of the Interent for development would have moved some steps ahead. While the next meetings of the IGF have been scheduled to hold in Brazil (2007), India (2008) and Egypt (2009), the issues discussed in Athens (openness, security, diversity and access) must be seen to have moved us forward. Otherwise, the cycle of meetings, speeches and coffee breaks will only favour hotels and host countries. The event’s webcast and audiocast can be accessed at www.igf2006.info.

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Every time we discuss 180 Degrees, my whole being smiles. From the very first day we discussed the concept, I knew that myself and Deolu Akinyemi had eventually discovered the platform we always discussed — a platform on which we can deliver change opportunities to the world, beginning with young Nigerians. And as they say, a lot of water has gone under the bridge… first in Lagos on May 1; then in Ife on August 2; now, the 180 Degrees train moves to Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye!

The date is Saturday, November 11 2006, time is 11:00am and the three speakers for the event will be Prof. Pat Utomi, Adeolu Akinyemi and ‘Gbenga Sesan — and each speaker comes with a distinct message that will help connect you with the change you require. While you can read more about 180 Degrees at My180Degrees.com, the goal of 180 Degrees is to inspire personal change that can influence your other areas of intervention.

So, for those who’ve been asking about the next edition, here comes. Ago Iwoye is in Ogun state so its accessible to those who’ve been writing from Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Lagos states in particular. To register, click here, and please note that the seminar will kick off at 11:00am prompt. Ask those who’ve been to any 180 Degrees session and they’ll tell you what you’ll miss with each tick of the clock from the take-off time.

Between now and November 11, I will be speaking at some other important seminars/events, and it’d be great to meet up with you if you’re in any of the locations. Please see below:
October 26: Abuja (Presidential Task Force on ICT Harmonization)
October 27 - November 3: Athens (Internet Governance Forum)
November 4: Ibadan (Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship Annual Convention)
November 8: Lagos (Mushin Budding Leaders’ Summit)
November 10: Akure (Inauguration of the Nigeria Internet Group’s FUTA Student Chapter)

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Junior Achievement of Nigeria (JA Nigeria), a non- profit educational organization in partnership with Lagos Business School and Accenture has concluded plans to host this year’s Venture in Management Program (ViMP). A yearly program, ViMP is modeled after Harvard Business School’s Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and is designed as a one-week intensive mini-MBA session to introduce 50-55 members of the National Youth Service Corps to the different facets of managing a business and making crucial business decisions.

According to JA Nigeria’s President, Mrs. Kunbi Wuraola, the goal of ViMP is to prepare youth corpers for the world of business as general managers and entrepreneurs. This opportunity is designed to expose future business leaders to the responsibilities, opportunities, and demands of a career in management.

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The Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) Youth Development Committee is proud to announce that applications are open for the first edition of the quarterly Youth ICT Roundtable. The roundtable will bring together seasoned young ICT enthusiasts and aspiring professionals to discuss and learn about key issues around ICTs, with particular reference to Nigeria. With the theme, Innovation: What Nigerian Youth Should Be Doing, the NIG Youth Development Committee hopes to equip intending ICT professionals.

Twenty young people with passionate interest in ICTs are expected to learn from our Keynote Speaker, Dr. Gabriel Obi (past president of the Computer Professionals’ Registration Council of Nigeria — CPN), and brainstorm on relevant issues defining successful youth participation in ICT issues. The Youth ICT Roundtable holds at 10:30am prompt at the Secretariat of the Nigeria Internet Group on the 18th of October 2006. To attend, you must apply for a seat in advance. Please send your resume and a cover letter (upper limit 250 words, detailing your area of interest in the ICT sector and what Nigeria stands to gain from your involvement) - to youth@ayokunnuojeniyi.com. Applications must be received on or before 16th October 2006.

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Get ready for another explosion from young Nigerians! It’s The Future… Awards 2007… Nominations open on the 1st of October and close on the 31st of October - one full month! Go to www.thefuturenigeria.com to nominate and to get ALL the information you need for the BIGGEST event for young people! Don’t forget that the nominees must be between the ages of 18-31!!!

Please see The Future Was on Sunday for information on The Future… Awards 2006.

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