[Music] what I’m going to attempt to do is to
what I’m going to attempt to do is to
what I’m going to attempt to do is to present to you all my own version of a
present to you all my own version of a
present to you all my own version of a brief history of Nigerian time if I said
brief history of Nigerian time if I said
brief history of Nigerian time if I said that if I said a brief history of time
that if I said a brief history of time
that if I said a brief history of time how many people have this ring a bell
how many people have this ring a bell
how many people have this ring a bell how many people understand that concept
how many people understand that concept
how many people understand that concept okay at five we have a guy who likes
okay at five we have a guy who likes
okay at five we have a guy who likes Hawking to eddie el mao notion of a
Hawking to eddie el mao notion of a
Hawking to eddie el mao notion of a brief history of nigerian time he’s also
brief history of nigerian time he’s also
brief history of nigerian time he’s also going to try and explore it from perhaps
going to try and explore it from perhaps
going to try and explore it from perhaps the big bang right on to black holes but
the big bang right on to black holes but
the big bang right on to black holes but it is a nigerian construct okay and bear
it is a nigerian construct okay and bear
it is a nigerian construct okay and bear with me in thinking about time first and
with me in thinking about time first and
with me in thinking about time first and foremost as a linear construct that is
foremost as a linear construct that is
foremost as a linear construct that is the conventional sense we have of time
the conventional sense we have of time
the conventional sense we have of time we have the past you have the present
we have the past you have the present
we have the past you have the present and the future so if you stretch it it
and the future so if you stretch it it
and the future so if you stretch it it becomes a continuum that’s why you have
becomes a continuum that’s why you have
becomes a continuum that’s why you have the whole space-time argument the deny
the whole space-time argument the deny
the whole space-time argument the deny giant version of it is something I’ve
giant version of it is something I’ve
giant version of it is something I’ve noticed that is somewhat different
noticed that is somewhat different
noticed that is somewhat different because it also speaks to how we manage
because it also speaks to how we manage
because it also speaks to how we manage time I understand time in Africa the
time I understand time in Africa the
time I understand time in Africa the challenge with Africa and the
challenge with Africa and the
challenge with Africa and the challenging idea specifically is that
challenging idea specifically is that
challenging idea specifically is that although time is relative right we are
although time is relative right we are
although time is relative right we are living on that spectrum simultaneously
living on that spectrum simultaneously
living on that spectrum simultaneously so what has happened in Nigeria and
so what has happened in Nigeria and
so what has happened in Nigeria and Africa and why the problem seems so
Africa and why the problem seems so
Africa and why the problem seems so intractable sometimes discuss we are
intractable sometimes discuss we are
intractable sometimes discuss we are simultaneously living in the past
simultaneously living in the past
simultaneously living in the past even as we contemplate the present and
even as we contemplate the present and
even as we contemplate the present and even as we look forward to the future
even as we look forward to the future
even as we look forward to the future what that means is that although
what that means is that although
what that means is that although Einstein said I mean time is relative
Einstein said I mean time is relative
Einstein said I mean time is relative but I think it’s famous description of
but I think it’s famous description of
but I think it’s famous description of relativity was that if you sat on a hot
relativity was that if you sat on a hot
relativity was that if you sat on a hot stove it seems like a couple of hours
stove it seems like a couple of hours
stove it seems like a couple of hours right but you’re sitting out with a nice
right but you’re sitting out with a nice
right but you’re sitting out with a nice young lady beside you is a couple of
young lady beside you is a couple of
young lady beside you is a couple of minutes right you guys are going to be
minutes right you guys are going to be
minutes right you guys are going to be sitting on a hot stove with me I’m not
sitting on a hot stove with me I’m not
sitting on a hot stove with me I’m not that preachy person so
that preachy person so
that preachy person so the key thing now is past present future
the key thing now is past present future
the key thing now is past present future we’re working in a space in which we’ve
we’re working in a space in which we’ve
we’re working in a space in which we’ve completed everything into one
completed everything into one
completed everything into one singularity what do I mean by that it
singularity what do I mean by that it
singularity what do I mean by that it means that if you take a stone
means that if you take a stone
means that if you take a stone hypothetically pick up a stone and you
hypothetically pick up a stone and you
hypothetically pick up a stone and you threw it as hard and as far as you could
threw it as hard and as far as you could
threw it as hard and as far as you could and it landed within 20 or 200 miles
and it landed within 20 or 200 miles
and it landed within 20 or 200 miles radius of this you find societies within
radius of this you find societies within
radius of this you find societies within this large captive area that are living
this large captive area that are living
this large captive area that are living almost simultaneously in the
almost simultaneously in the
almost simultaneously in the hunter-gather gathering phase pre
hunter-gather gathering phase pre
hunter-gather gathering phase pre agrarian agrarian post agreein
agrarian agrarian post agreein
agrarian agrarian post agreein pre-industrial we missed Industrial Age
pre-industrial we missed Industrial Age
pre-industrial we missed Industrial Age totally so that is doesn’t count in our
totally so that is doesn’t count in our
totally so that is doesn’t count in our own calculus and we leapfrog into the
own calculus and we leapfrog into the
own calculus and we leapfrog into the future in information age I want you to
future in information age I want you to
future in information age I want you to think about it very very carefully my
think about it very very carefully my
think about it very very carefully my sister when she was making a
sister when she was making a
sister when she was making a presentation about Nigeria and poverty
presentation about Nigeria and poverty
presentation about Nigeria and poverty and the social programs they have
and the social programs they have
and the social programs they have mentioned a number of about 36 million
mentioned a number of about 36 million
mentioned a number of about 36 million and that’s the average population of
and that’s the average population of
and that’s the average population of most of West Africa right and so this is
most of West Africa right and so this is
most of West Africa right and so this is the reality of those 86 million people
the reality of those 86 million people
the reality of those 86 million people okay imagine again if you’re looking at
okay imagine again if you’re looking at
okay imagine again if you’re looking at this construct in terms of a linear
this construct in terms of a linear
this construct in terms of a linear presentation and the two bookends are
presentation and the two bookends are
presentation and the two bookends are two different types of people who
two different types of people who
two different types of people who interact with the digital reality of the
interact with the digital reality of the
interact with the digital reality of the 21st century you have most of you are
21st century you have most of you are
21st century you have most of you are described as digital natives you guys
described as digital natives you guys
described as digital natives you guys grew up in the era of cellphones
grew up in the era of cellphones
grew up in the era of cellphones technology so your digital your binary
technology so your digital your binary
technology so your digital your binary in ways in which you don’t fully
in ways in which you don’t fully
in ways in which you don’t fully understand some of us are on the other
understand some of us are on the other
understand some of us are on the other flank digital nomads we just kind of
flank digital nomads we just kind of
flank digital nomads we just kind of stray through we come from a purely
stray through we come from a purely
stray through we come from a purely analog background strongly to keep up
analog background strongly to keep up
analog background strongly to keep up with all this incredible technology is
with all this incredible technology is
with all this incredible technology is evolving but in might in your mind’s eye
evolving but in might in your mind’s eye
evolving but in might in your mind’s eye a book end where you have the digital
a book end where you have the digital
a book end where you have the digital natives on one hand and the digital
natives on one hand and the digital
natives on one hand and the digital nomads at the other hand within that
nomads at the other hand within that
nomads at the other hand within that space in between you have a vast
space in between you have a vast
space in between you have a vast wasteland of analog nigerians the
wasteland of analog nigerians the
wasteland of analog nigerians the eighty-six million people so you have to
eighty-six million people so you have to
eighty-six million people so you have to now cohabit with a digital reality that
now cohabit with a digital reality that
now cohabit with a digital reality that looks forward to the future with all
looks forward to the future with all
looks forward to the future with all this
this
this prospects right and the weight of
prospects right and the weight of
prospects right and the weight of history has mired in this analog
history has mired in this analog
history has mired in this analog wasteland and the intermediate
wasteland and the intermediate
wasteland and the intermediate intermediation of people like us who are
intermediation of people like us who are
intermediation of people like us who are no mods now we all have to live in the
no mods now we all have to live in the
no mods now we all have to live in the same spectrum so the question now
same spectrum so the question now
same spectrum so the question now becomes how do we do it I think that’s
becomes how do we do it I think that’s
becomes how do we do it I think that’s at the heart of the challenge all this
at the heart of the challenge all this
at the heart of the challenge all this talk about Nigeria the future technology
talk about Nigeria the future technology
talk about Nigeria the future technology mediation and all that yes is optimistic
mediation and all that yes is optimistic
mediation and all that yes is optimistic but there’s something embedded in the
but there’s something embedded in the
but there’s something embedded in the collective memory of those analog
collective memory of those analog
collective memory of those analog Nigerians so you’re going to be walking
Nigerians so you’re going to be walking
Nigerians so you’re going to be walking around with a memory encoded in your
around with a memory encoded in your
around with a memory encoded in your digital DNA of all of those problems for
digital DNA of all of those problems for
digital DNA of all of those problems for so long as Nigeria means a republic so
so long as Nigeria means a republic so
so long as Nigeria means a republic so the challenge now becomes how do you
the challenge now becomes how do you
the challenge now becomes how do you bridge this potential digital brave new
bridge this potential digital brave new
bridge this potential digital brave new world utopia and call it whatever it is
world utopia and call it whatever it is
world utopia and call it whatever it is you want with an actual reality of the
you want with an actual reality of the
you want with an actual reality of the analog challenges that we’re facing
analog challenges that we’re facing
analog challenges that we’re facing I think Mobile India call them the Grand
I think Mobile India call them the Grand
I think Mobile India call them the Grand Challenges of Africa those challenges
Challenges of Africa those challenges
Challenges of Africa those challenges have been there for a long time so the
have been there for a long time so the
have been there for a long time so the question now ask we ask ourself is why
question now ask we ask ourself is why
question now ask we ask ourself is why haven’t we solved it if you go back to
haven’t we solved it if you go back to
haven’t we solved it if you go back to the original metaphor of talking about
the original metaphor of talking about
the original metaphor of talking about the big bang theory of creation Niger as
the big bang theory of creation Niger as
the big bang theory of creation Niger as Big Bang was I think January 14th 1914
Big Bang was I think January 14th 1914
Big Bang was I think January 14th 1914 right so as far as countries go a little
right so as far as countries go a little
right so as far as countries go a little blip in the the curvature of history is
blip in the the curvature of history is
blip in the the curvature of history is not that far maybe just 100 years plus
not that far maybe just 100 years plus
not that far maybe just 100 years plus right and the black hole the moment of
right and the black hole the moment of
right and the black hole the moment of singularity in that black hole that
singularity in that black hole that
singularity in that black hole that sucks in gravity sucks in light that
sucks in gravity sucks in light that
sucks in gravity sucks in light that destroys everything and it makes it seem
destroys everything and it makes it seem
destroys everything and it makes it seem as if nothing ever works in Nigeria
as if nothing ever works in Nigeria
as if nothing ever works in Nigeria right because there’s a distortion there
right because there’s a distortion there
right because there’s a distortion there there has to be addressed so the
there has to be addressed so the
there has to be addressed so the challenge is now again looking at the
challenge is now again looking at the
challenge is now again looking at the past the present and the future how do
past the present and the future how do
past the present and the future how do we negotiate this space-time continuum
we negotiate this space-time continuum
we negotiate this space-time continuum we clearly have to move forward to be
we clearly have to move forward to be
we clearly have to move forward to be sure and all the signs are there
sure and all the signs are there
sure and all the signs are there generationally that young people have
generationally that young people have
generationally that young people have the smarts if they’re if they’re
the smarts if they’re if they’re
the smarts if they’re if they’re properly resourced to start solving some
properly resourced to start solving some
properly resourced to start solving some of these problems mobile-only also spoke
of these problems mobile-only also spoke
of these problems mobile-only also spoke about the issue of
about the issue of
about the issue of we’re dealing with scale here it is not
we’re dealing with scale here it is not
we’re dealing with scale here it is not enough to have a very bleeding edge of
enough to have a very bleeding edge of
enough to have a very bleeding edge of technology now enjoy an appetizer that
technology now enjoy an appetizer that
technology now enjoy an appetizer that you know clued in to everything at this
you know clued in to everything at this
you know clued in to everything at this digital we also have a backlog of analog
digital we also have a backlog of analog
digital we also have a backlog of analog reality and this is where one of my
reality and this is where one of my
reality and this is where one of my famous laws I have so many of them but
famous laws I have so many of them but
famous laws I have so many of them but I’ll share one with you it’s gladdens
I’ll share one with you it’s gladdens
I’ll share one with you it’s gladdens law and it states
law and it states
law and it states beware of preferring digital solutions
beware of preferring digital solutions
beware of preferring digital solutions to analog problems and that is something
to analog problems and that is something
to analog problems and that is something that we have to contemplate ones and
that we have to contemplate ones and
that we have to contemplate ones and zeroes are not going to solve your
zeroes are not going to solve your
zeroes are not going to solve your problems not all of them but we’re
problems not all of them but we’re
problems not all of them but we’re moving forward and because like I said
moving forward and because like I said
moving forward and because like I said idea earlier on we have a conflicted
idea earlier on we have a conflicted
idea earlier on we have a conflicted sense of history because we’re living in
sense of history because we’re living in
sense of history because we’re living in a time warp where I simultaneously
a time warp where I simultaneously
a time warp where I simultaneously having to deal with the past the
having to deal with the past the
having to deal with the past the problems the wit history of the past
problems the wit history of the past
problems the wit history of the past from our own Big Bang it was maybe not a
from our own Big Bang it was maybe not a
from our own Big Bang it was maybe not a big bang maybe just a little whimper in
big bang maybe just a little whimper in
big bang maybe just a little whimper in 1914 okay and the present that is
1914 okay and the present that is
1914 okay and the present that is compounded over years and years of
compounded over years and years of
compounded over years and years of refusing to deal with the issues of the
refusing to deal with the issues of the
refusing to deal with the issues of the past hour now the point where although
past hour now the point where although
past hour now the point where although the present is temporal the moment I
the present is temporal the moment I
the present is temporal the moment I said the present is gone we have to now
said the present is gone we have to now
said the present is gone we have to now contempt contemplate the future and
contempt contemplate the future and
contempt contemplate the future and generationally that is where the
generationally that is where the
generationally that is where the statistics play in the numbers I think
statistics play in the numbers I think
statistics play in the numbers I think the median age for Nigeria is about 17
the median age for Nigeria is about 17
the median age for Nigeria is about 17 right maybe perhaps a million and 20
right maybe perhaps a million and 20
right maybe perhaps a million and 20 million Nigerians under the age of 35
million Nigerians under the age of 35
million Nigerians under the age of 35 right and if 70% of Nigella’s are poor
right and if 70% of Nigella’s are poor
right and if 70% of Nigella’s are poor has 70% of Nigerians an age of 35 30
has 70% of Nigerians an age of 35 30
has 70% of Nigerians an age of 35 30 well do the maths it’s your generation
well do the maths it’s your generation
well do the maths it’s your generation that is going to have to contemplate
that is going to have to contemplate
that is going to have to contemplate that future the question now becomes how
that future the question now becomes how
that future the question now becomes how are you going to tackle that future is
are you going to tackle that future is
are you going to tackle that future is it possible for you to learn the lessons
it possible for you to learn the lessons
it possible for you to learn the lessons of the past which means that you have to
of the past which means that you have to
of the past which means that you have to really develop on your history about
really develop on your history about
really develop on your history about Nigeria its place in Africa and the
Nigeria its place in Africa and the
Nigeria its place in Africa and the global dynamics that have shaped the
global dynamics that have shaped the
global dynamics that have shaped the forces that created Nigeria even as you
forces that created Nigeria even as you
forces that created Nigeria even as you contemplate the challenges of the
contemplate the challenges of the
contemplate the challenges of the present and the challenge of the present
present and the challenge of the present
present and the challenge of the present to be sure are enormous reserving six
to be sure are enormous reserving six
to be sure are enormous reserving six million ideas are poor living this
million ideas are poor living this
million ideas are poor living this present we saw the clip of our
present we saw the clip of our
present we saw the clip of our macoco there have been allusions to it
macoco there have been allusions to it
macoco there have been allusions to it variously and the fact that we’re kind
variously and the fact that we’re kind
variously and the fact that we’re kind of somewhat removed from it does not
of somewhat removed from it does not
of somewhat removed from it does not mean it does not exist so even as you
mean it does not exist so even as you
mean it does not exist so even as you contemplate the challenges there being a
contemplate the challenges there being a
contemplate the challenges there being a young person in Nigeria right we I think
young person in Nigeria right we I think
young person in Nigeria right we I think on employment rates official is about
on employment rates official is about
on employment rates official is about 20-something but really is maybe about
20-something but really is maybe about
20-something but really is maybe about forty something we have to even as we do
forty something we have to even as we do
forty something we have to even as we do that carry the burden of the past even
that carry the burden of the past even
that carry the burden of the past even as we project the future and that is the
as we project the future and that is the
as we project the future and that is the challenge that is the challenge of
challenge that is the challenge of
challenge that is the challenge of conflicted time in which were
conflicted time in which were
conflicted time in which were simultaneously living in three eras
simultaneously living in three eras
simultaneously living in three eras there’s fears now that we might even
there’s fears now that we might even
there’s fears now that we might even skip the fourth revolution we definitely
skip the fourth revolution we definitely
skip the fourth revolution we definitely missed the first three we’re living
missed the first three we’re living
missed the first three we’re living somewhere between the third cutting the
somewhere between the third cutting the
somewhere between the third cutting the information technology revolution we
information technology revolution we
information technology revolution we missed out on the steam that you changed
missed out on the steam that you changed
missed out on the steam that you changed industrialization in Victorian England
industrialization in Victorian England
industrialization in Victorian England and we need a war power we miss out on
and we need a war power we miss out on
and we need a war power we miss out on electronics technology and the
electronics technology and the
electronics technology and the mechanization of warfare that drove
mechanization of warfare that drove
mechanization of warfare that drove technology to the point where a lot of
technology to the point where a lot of
technology to the point where a lot of these things became civilian
these things became civilian
these things became civilian applications and we embrace fully the
applications and we embrace fully the
applications and we embrace fully the digital world because the cost of entry
digital world because the cost of entry
digital world because the cost of entry is minimal right but we’re now going to
is minimal right but we’re now going to
is minimal right but we’re now going to a fourth Industrial Revolution you know
a fourth Industrial Revolution you know
a fourth Industrial Revolution you know all the various technologies
all the various technologies
all the various technologies nanotechnology biotechnology information
nanotechnology biotechnology information
nanotechnology biotechnology information technology everything conflating into a
technology everything conflating into a
technology everything conflating into a brave new world that we have no input
brave new world that we have no input
brave new world that we have no input but we are most definitely going to bear
but we are most definitely going to bear
but we are most definitely going to bear the consequences of right there was a
the consequences of right there was a
the consequences of right there was a presentation here that talked about just
presentation here that talked about just
presentation here that talked about just how advanced artificial intelligence has
how advanced artificial intelligence has
how advanced artificial intelligence has moved on with you know Dib machine
moved on with you know Dib machine
moved on with you know Dib machine learning tools all of these things are
learning tools all of these things are
learning tools all of these things are going to affect us so the question now
going to affect us so the question now
going to affect us so the question now becomes how do we prepare ourselves for
becomes how do we prepare ourselves for
becomes how do we prepare ourselves for that future is it possible for us to
that future is it possible for us to
that future is it possible for us to contemplate but it is indeed an
contemplate but it is indeed an
contemplate but it is indeed an opportunity rather and a threat to look
opportunity rather and a threat to look
opportunity rather and a threat to look at the future at the tabula rasa as a
at the future at the tabula rasa as a
at the future at the tabula rasa as a blank slate because the thing that we
blank slate because the thing that we
blank slate because the thing that we know for sure is that the past is gone
know for sure is that the past is gone
know for sure is that the past is gone we know the past to the extent to which
we know the past to the extent to which
we know the past to the extent to which we are interested in history the present
we are interested in history the present
we are interested in history the present is temporal the moment we say the
is temporal the moment we say the
is temporal the moment we say the present it’s gone and to the future
present it’s gone and to the future
present it’s gone and to the future which is we
which is we
which is we to be written the challenge now young
to be written the challenge now young
to be written the challenge now young people is can you write the future you
people is can you write the future you
people is can you write the future you want for Nigeria and by extension the
want for Nigeria and by extension the
want for Nigeria and by extension the continent there are all kinds of
continent there are all kinds of
continent there are all kinds of challenges and you know the thing about
challenges and you know the thing about
challenges and you know the thing about is that somehow where they are wallowing
is that somehow where they are wallowing
is that somehow where they are wallowing in the present right I lived as a
in the present right I lived as a
in the present right I lived as a preoccupied with solving yesterday’s
preoccupied with solving yesterday’s
preoccupied with solving yesterday’s biases and problems and egos and
biases and problems and egos and
biases and problems and egos and everything else meanwhile the young
everything else meanwhile the young
everything else meanwhile the young people who are the actual Nigerians
people who are the actual Nigerians
people who are the actual Nigerians statistically speaking have to at once
statistically speaking have to at once
statistically speaking have to at once do three things they have to reconcile
do three things they have to reconcile
do three things they have to reconcile the past right okay deal with the
the past right okay deal with the
the past right okay deal with the present even as they shape the future
present even as they shape the future
present even as they shape the future it’s a tall order and you honestly have
it’s a tall order and you honestly have
it’s a tall order and you honestly have to ask yourself are we prepared for it
to ask yourself are we prepared for it
to ask yourself are we prepared for it there are certain things that are coming
there are certain things that are coming
there are certain things that are coming down to a whole bunch of extensionists
down to a whole bunch of extensionists
down to a whole bunch of extensionists threats and challenges are coming down
threats and challenges are coming down
threats and challenges are coming down there’s climate change somebody
there’s climate change somebody
there’s climate change somebody mentioned we’ve made allusions to it the
mentioned we’ve made allusions to it the
mentioned we’ve made allusions to it the all these disruptive technologies that
all these disruptive technologies that
all these disruptive technologies that are happening and we’re using them
are happening and we’re using them
are happening and we’re using them utilizing them at scale ooh you know
utilizing them at scale ooh you know
utilizing them at scale ooh you know intrapreneurial
intrapreneurial
intrapreneurial engagement but that scale no so again
engagement but that scale no so again
engagement but that scale no so again back to my grand theory of conflict a
back to my grand theory of conflict a
back to my grand theory of conflict a time is that we have to understand these
time is that we have to understand these
time is that we have to understand these three things as we move forward because
three things as we move forward because
three things as we move forward because we cannot leave a present situation in
we cannot leave a present situation in
we cannot leave a present situation in the present without having an
the present without having an
the present without having an understanding of the past
understanding of the past
understanding of the past but the challenges can we learn enough
but the challenges can we learn enough
but the challenges can we learn enough of the past not to be affected or
of the past not to be affected or
of the past not to be affected or influenced by all the bad habits of our
influenced by all the bad habits of our
influenced by all the bad habits of our leaders and all of that even as we
leaders and all of that even as we
leaders and all of that even as we struggle the present and we contemplate
struggle the present and we contemplate
struggle the present and we contemplate the future my own set of optimism has
the future my own set of optimism has
the future my own set of optimism has always been the fact that the future is
always been the fact that the future is
always been the fact that the future is yet to be written
yet to be written
yet to be written they know it is not cast in stone there
they know it is not cast in stone there
they know it is not cast in stone there is nothing that determines our
is nothing that determines our
is nothing that determines our predestined us to penury lack of it all
predestined us to penury lack of it all
predestined us to penury lack of it all of those nasty things that we are all
of those nasty things that we are all
of those nasty things that we are all fighting about and so again can we as
fighting about and so again can we as
fighting about and so again can we as you mean the future is taken to be a
you mean the future is taken to be a
you mean the future is taken to be a tabula rasa right the future that you
tabula rasa right the future that you
tabula rasa right the future that you want your country to become I thank you
want your country to become I thank you
want your country to become I thank you you
”
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