Both are young, articulate, dynamic and share a similar passion for quality education delivery. Both are also driven by futuristic ideas with a global vision. Incidentally too, both are information-savvy philanthropists and providers of veritable platforms for the youths to freely express their views. But while one is a Jewish-American, the other is Omo Naija gon-goni, as we describe true-born Nigerians in Pidgin English parlance. Yet, there is still more to their point of convergence than people may readily admit. But who really are we talking about here?
The first of course, is Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Face book .
His name certainly rings a loud and crisp-clear note in the vast firmament of our knowledge- economy that drives several global thoughts and processes, virtually on daily basis. He, along with his friends, Dustin Moskovitz, Chris Hughes and Eduardo Saverin, by their sheer creative ingenuity came up with the site which allows users to create their own profiles, upload photos and communicate with other users. That was in 2004. By the end of that year it had reached 1 million users. But it has since grown to more than 250 million people, over the past 12 years, making Zuckerberg a billionaire.
That global attention was riveted on the commercial nerve-centre of Nigeria; nay the West African Sub-region by his recent visit was understandable. It clearly signals a profound message of increasing hope for faster economic development of the megalopolis and that of the youths. There comes in the commendable giant steps, so far taken by the governor of the host state, the highly focused and resourceful,
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration to reposition the state for an all-embracing Centre of socio-economic and political. Notably, he has since assumption of office about one and a half years ago propelled his vision of Lagos as a destination of choice for any serious-minded, entrepreneur from anywhere in the world. What with the assurance of all-round, tight security network, courtesy of his donation of top-of-the range security gadgets to the police and all-inclusive community surveillance, across the state. What with the massive infrastructural development of roads, bridges and clearing of waterways to facilitate journeys by sea. What about the focus on the triple projects of Eko Atlantic City, the $300 Elegushi Kingdom Imperial City as well as the history-making Smart City, coming up in conjunction with Smart City LLC, Dubai being the first of its kind in Africa.
Indeed, it is heart-warming to note that the Co-Creation Hu CcHub, the first of the two facilities visited by Zucerberg at Yaba, Lagos was donated by the state government. Its noble aim is to further the cause of enhanced, ICT-driven entrepreneurial activities that the state is currently known for.In fact, the visitor was so thrilled that he had this to say: “ I got to talk to kids at a summer coaching camp and entrepreneurs who came to Cchub to build and launch their apps. I’m looking forward to meeting more people in Nigeria.”Truth is, that Zuckerberg had read a lot about it before his visit but needed to find out, first-hand what the true situation was.
That inspired his scientifically-honed, inquisitive mind to sneak into the city at the wee of that night, unnoticed. Beyond getting to breathe the fresh, free air of Lagos, he jugged along the modern Lekki- Ikoyi link bridge in the company of some youths to show the world that here, indeed, is the next Dubai to do business in safety, comfort and style.
That also puts to rest the fundamental questions that would have been raised if the situation was otherwise. Could he have risked his dear life to travel to a violence-prone and politically unstable city? Of course,not. Could he also have dared to meet with whiz kids of Information Communication Technology (ICT) at the Yaba-based Andela, if the enabling environment has not been provided by the state government? Certainly, not.
For instance, Andela is on record that Andela is an engineering organisation building and raising the next generation of technical leaders in Africa. As a business venture it recruits the most talented technologists in Africa and shapes them into world-class developers.
The course runs for four years. It has accepted 200 engineers from a pool of 40,000 applicants in its first two years of operation. It would be recalled that early this year, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative gladly invested in Andela because it was greatly impressed by the company’s innovative model of learning and its determination to connect the global technology ecosystem, using the most talented developers in Africa.
According to Seni Sulyman, the Director of Andela, ”Marks’ visit demonstrates to all Nigerians developers and entrepreneurs that they
have caught the attention of the tech world, and they are capable of succeeding on a truly global level.”
The question now is how to build on Zuckerberg’s visit? With both the visitor and Ambode well-known as philanthropists there is need for more effective collaborations. For instance, La Roche Leadership Foundation established by Ambode in 2012 is a non-profit organisation with the mandate of developing educational and leadership skills of young Nigerians. As the state governor, efforts should be sustained, to strengthen our educational processes based on accessible and affordable information technological processes.
Zuckerberg’s visit is a potential pragmatic synergy between like minds, to build strong and sustainable socio-economic programmes, processes and projects for the benefit of Lagos and more so our job-seeking youths. That is the dancing steps of Ambode.
Ajanaku , is Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor on Media and Strategy.
