Native of Nigeria,Citizen of the World

Ajala: Not all fun you know

2010-10-20T04:05:00.002+02:00

Eish!

Its not all fun you know - this up and down.

Don't get me wrong: I like am, I appreciate am, I am grateful for it.

But eish!

I am seating right now right leg elevated. Why you ask?

Well...

Seems something took a bite outta me, might have been the eight legged kind - in which country we'll see...if its the culprit we'll see

Add to that my sweet ankle and now feet: all swollen and puffy...as in double size o...I am starign and thinking I am must never be fat cos men...

So...

My body don call for pause...
i no get choice but to put feet up...
And since no walking around or traipsing in a city i have never been before...
Na to seat with computer
Maybe I will write more.
Maybe i won't!

PS: I write my way not necessarily following any convention but as I write so i type
Call it creative license if you will.

My leg aches men!

Eish!

Ajala: Four new countries traversing four others of old

2010-10-19T02:23:00.003+02:00

Nigeria South AFrica Mauritius South Africa Uganda South Africa Mauritius South Africa Germany Lithuania Germany South Africa Mauritius South Africa Senegal USA Mexico...

No I am not crazy :-) Thats been my itinerary since July 15th.

Four new countries traversing four others I have been before.

Ajala.

Seems I personify the word.

Its my destiny.

Purpose.

Each of them have opened up interesting aspects to me.

In one for the first time in my life I was called the N word used for black people in repressive times in another politeness attends every where I go though driven by curiosity.

I will try to share thoughts on each travel - don't blame me if I don't as I travel for work and not for pleasure ;-)

Interesting days ahead!

TT

Ha?

2010-10-19T02:15:00.003+02:00

Yes. Ha?

A Yoruba expression that right now captures what I feel and think of the conversations going on around me purportedly by great policy minds of our time.

Arguing over words that clearly will make or break their nations.

I chose to be here.

Ha: also expresses my silent laughter at the antics, the wheeling and the dealing, the 'ridiculosity' of those we have 'ent' ofrth to speak on our behalf.

Ha?

Because it what makes the world go round
And as such it continues.

Seating
Listening
Learning

Aye yi a dara si ni o!

Repentance

2010-10-19T02:06:00.003+02:00

I repent...

Of what you ask me?
Of denying myself the opportunity to share...

I repent...
Of forgetting that indeed I owe not myself
but those who come after me
an opportunity to walk this path with me.

So Yes!

I repent!

Starting from now
I, Omoba Ajala will share
even if only snippets,
My many journeys round the world

Beginning Now.

Yes I repent!!!!

An Ode to 'No Name' Sandwich

2008-07-30T15:29:00.007+02:00

My taste buds are in an uproar, a delightful uproar!

They are 'awake' like never before!

(Took a bite!)

I can be adventurous with food - but I am the kinda girl who has a favorite food with a different restaurant and I would eat only that meal there. Some say I am exotic in my food choices...well I got hit by a sandwich, a good old sandwich!

I took what was meant to be a short walk and ended up at this little place saying 'make me a sandwich to remember'

Did I get what I asked for!!!

(Another rousing bite)

I am soooooooooooooooo right now into this Sandwich its something else!

You have to know me to understand - I am not a sandwich person at all!!!

I don't step out to say I am going for lunch and come back with a sandwich! Lai lai!!!

Eish!

A titillating rousing by the Gorgonzola cheese, roast beef, lettuce leaves, chili jam and the bread don't taste like bread!!!

Wow!

I have certainly found a good addiction to add to my love of Sushi, Rosebank MacFries and Turkey shreds!!!

(stopped to take another bite)

I will be back!!!

The place is called Olive Tree, in Greenside, Johannesburg and its not like the expensive lunches I have been paying the franchises!

Wow!

My taste buds take a very very deep bow!

Till the next time!!!

PJ

Facebook opens profiles to public: But Why now?

2007-09-06T16:36:00.000+02:00

Facebook opens profiles to public (article from www.bbc.co.uk)

Facebook now accounts for 1% of all net traffic
Popular social networking site Facebook has added a public-facing search function in a move which is likely to anger privacy advocates.
The function will initially allow anyone who is not registered with the site to search for a specific person.

More controversially, in a month's time, the feature will also allow people to track down Facebook members via search engines such as Google.

The firm said that the information being revealed is minimal.

Privacy erosion

The public search listing will show the thumbnail picture of a Facebook member from their profile page as well as links allowing people to interact with them.

But, in order to add someone as a friend or send them a message, the person will have to be registered with Facebook.

Users who want to restrict what information is available to the public or opt out of the feature altogether can change their privacy settings. They have a month to do so.

Despite assurances from Facebook, critics have expressed disappointment at the move.

"This move transforms Facebook from being a social network to being a quasi-White Pages of the web," commented technology writer Om Malik in his blog GigaOm.

Mr Malik, and others, are concerned about the data trail that people are routinely leaving behind them on social networking and other sites.

There are concerns that personal content will become aggregated for marketing or other purposes.

Security experts have pointed out the dangers of publicising your date of birth - one of the options in a Facebook profile - because of the way it has been traditionally used as a way of identifying bank customers.

Facebook began life as a way of keeping US college students in touch with each other. Devised by Harvard drop-out Mark Zuckerberg, the site now accounts for 1% of all net traffic and is the sixth most visited site in the US

The social networking site is thought to have about 39 million members. Numbers have jumped since the firm removed the need to have an academic e-mail address in September 2006.

Women of Inspiration?

2007-05-14T00:59:00.001+02:00

Pastor Bimbo Odukoya; Oprah Winfrey; Lady Diana; Condolezza Rice; Sade Adu

In that order deifinitely for the first, the others possibly interchangeable.

These are women I have looked upon, that I have seen, that I know are living and have lived some of what resides within me to achieve.

I am not your usual kinda girl who hero worships or adores and goes ga ga oh la la - but I definitely know when I see something that challenges me to greater heights.

These women do...

From their personal styles to their intellect to the way they live and interact - to their passionate love affairs of impacting their generation...

These women are not mere tin gods, or idols for me - they are women living out parts of this girl - who is living her life like its golden, impacting her generation and determined like never before to be significant no matter how little a space or sphere of influence/change she finds herself...

Women
Of Power
Of Passion
Of Vision

Women who not by virtue of loosing their 'womanhood' or femisnism' sought to take another shape but women who embrace their realities and use their foundations as a spring board to greater things...

Women who indeed are living their lives out- not mirroing that which society dictates as standard or acceptable but going beyond the skies and fulfilling their dreams...

Women of Prayer, Power, Passion and Soul...

TBC

Myriad parts seeking Success

2007-05-11T19:47:00.000+02:00

Ok....

I am a woman of myriad parts but one thread runs through: ambition, desire for uncommon success, call it whatever you will....

I am also Human - as human as they come - so I won't be fastidious - that the right word - and not confess that yes - atimes when i see, hear of , perceive others success I ask myself - How come I knew nothing about that why could it not be me...

Is the right/wrong? Who says it has to be? It is Human...

Its hard for me to pour out my thoughts, even more difficult when it concerns what i have been brought up to term as sacred...

My thoughts are running around as I ask myself - am I still doing things that light up my world form the inside and make me feel fulfilled? Am I truly impacting my generation or has it become a case of just going through the motions?

Do we all reach these times in our lives or is it simply an issue of insatiable desire for greater things? Or that it is normal to have this seeming separated parts of yourself all viaing to be the one 'living' or 'achieving' or 'fulfilling'?

Who do I let out? The communications genie or the one who desires to be a madam for society? The poet who is not sure she belongs in any genre or the creative in me who seeks to burst out in myriad prisms of color shaping homes and lives in shade and colours?

Bottom Line I want, need, have to succeed - that much I know, that much all of me agrees on.

The How, the where, the when - the what - of the success I wonder at...

Joshua 1:8 just came to mind and I thought - Lord Show me...

"This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have SUCCESS."

I ask myself then - what is success according to God's Word? And how does that filter down into my life? Who I am and what i am purposed for?

Guess Life is full of questions which when answered comes back to more questions and life goes on...

Creature of Habit

2007-01-24T14:26:00.000+02:00

Hmmm

That was my conclusion while I sat eating my Nando's lunch AGAIN today - I am a creature of Habit.

Some would say I have little niches in my life which i allow to repeat themselves consistently - my eating habit or the lack of it; my consistent need to have things in a certain place at a certain time; my continuing to only have salted pop corn with strawberry slush only at the Zone; amongst a myriad 'others'

Good or bad?

Maybe both - flip sides to this coin of habitual engagement with the same meal, the same what else? It might be that i have tired an number of options and found 'these' most to my likining or i simply do not liek to try knew things.

Contrary that last thought for one who willingly packed up a life and moved all the way across a continent...and does so over and over...we all, no matter how full of adventure need habit/consistency/solid rocks that our core can revolve and familiarise around.

Creature of Habitually Living
One who has Found a Comfort Zone or More
Living Life with an adventourous spirit
Living beyond all expectations
Breaking through limitations real and assumed...

Creature of Habit?

Maybe, Maybe not!

Truth

2007-01-16T17:33:00.000+02:00

Truth

Hard to face particularly when one finds oneself at the core of its searching, glaring rays.

Having Faced Truth one then has to decide 'to be or not to be'?

Which way forward?

Truth...

Wrote this after reading this post by Omo-Akin Africa, My Africa at http://omo-akin.blogspot.com/

Godcentric

2007-01-09T15:17:00.000+02:00

So

2007 is here :-)

I am racking my brains (do I have more than one? You bet :-) count all those belonging to my learned andunlearned friends human and otherwise) for what to put in this first blog...came up with what was in mine only :-) I don't read minds as yet :-)

In the past year I have read and seen all kinds of blogs - those musing on what they do, think and feel and those out to make and help you make money.

In all I have discovered that on blogging I will do that which I like - which is not what everbody likes :-) use it when the craving comes :-) Like an addiction maybe? Not put myself in a box but leave enough room for different flavours, colors and tastes of who I am to seep out via my fingers into words colored in myriad hues of gray, balck, white, pink, red, green, beige... (you get the point)

Anyways :-) Did I mention I have another niece now? Tenioluwa Oreoluwapo amongst others are her names :-) swiflty named by her aunts as Oreos :-) a lovely as yet to be seen (picture or real life) daughter of Zion born in December 2006.

Its a new year, new beginings - but I decided to not just see January first as yeah! a new year :-) but as another new day, another opportunity to set my mind on doing that which is right and profitable to human kind and ultimately to fulfilling my purpose on earth. Waiting 365 days to celebrate new beginnings is so long and tiring - each new second each new minute, each new hour, each new day we should welcome and appreciate as we do a new year - the world would have better attitude for it.

Just imagine - you have a consistent opportunity to renew yourself and your mind and your actions not a long 365 to deal with...

So you can make day oriented goals acheivable - don't get me wrong I love New Year's, I love the celebrations the food (when I do get to make or eat with family) and all that lovely off work time...but even more important for your future is what you do with the mid year goals, the summer goals to live right and the wintery goals of eating right; the dedication to putting in and being your best at work each day - self employed or answering to what you might atimes think is a gargoyle from beyond pluto...

I was a child of many parts

Became a girl of many sides

Trascended into a lady of myriad thoughts and ways

and emerging as a woman of myriad passsions

In the years ahead I will explore and be the best I can be of all these set within me...

Not to show me forth but to live out life as it was meant to be: Godcentric

Lagos Na Wa! Humour abounds amid Lagos chaos:By Kieran Cooke, BBC News Nigeria

2006-10-28T21:31:00.000+02:00

I laugh so te e after I read this article - but I no get choice but to gree with am -Lagos na real wa!!!

Eko Akete,
Ilu ogbon,
To ba duro
Ko shora...

God Did make us real speical people...

HUMOUR ABOUNDS AMID LAGOS CHAOS!

Nigeria is Africa's most populous country and has the potential to be one of the richest, but has been plagued by corruption since independence in 1960. But as our correspondent found on a visit to the sprawling city of Lagos, there's another side to life - the unfailing humour with which Nigerians confront the trials of daily living.

It happened as the aircraft was about to lift off. A muffled explosion followed by a grating, turbulent sound, rather like a dishwasher gone berserk. We were flung forward as engines were reversed, brakes slammed on.

The ornate red hat of the podgy man next to me went flying down the cabin, closely followed by a pile of newspapers, a handbag and, the most strange sight of all, a carton of washing powder.

My friend Ibim, a local journalist intent on showing me what she called "the real Nigeria" far away from Lagos, grabbed my thigh in a blood-stopping clasp. We came to a halt, slightly skewed, not far from the end of the runway.

What was most impressive about the incident at Lagos airport - besides the split second decision making of the pilot - was the behaviour of those on board.

No screams, no tears. A shrugging of shoulders - and then, chuckles and laughter.

"You see," said Ibim. "We Nigerians can take anything."

It is as if locals combat the haphazard, often frightening world they inhabit with bellyfuls of humour.

Read more at

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/6091682.stm

Lagos Na Wa!

Biometrics to be used in Zambia's elections

2006-08-25T12:21:00.000+02:00

Question for My beloved Country: Are we willing ot move ahead or woudl rather remain with our status quo which serves our nefarity?

Biometrics to be used in Zambia's elections
Culled from HANA
By: Brenda Zulu
18:21:06 23/08/2006

Article blurbZambia's 2006 elections will for the first time make use of an electronic system in which biometric information will be loaded onto a database as it has proved to be more accurate and less prone to manipulation than the current practice of verification of some form of identification documents.

Zambia's 2006 elections will for the first time make use of an electronic system in which biometric information will be loaded onto a database as it has proved to be more accurate and less prone to manipulation than the current practice of verification of some form of identification documents.

Biometrics is the use of fingerprints, palm prints or iris scans to provide an accurate identification and verification of a person.

A tour of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) found workers scanning and loading information of aspiring candidates onto the data base. Most of the work was almost finished as all voters' right hand thumb finger prints had already been scanned. The ECZ was also found to be producing Geographical Information System (GIS) maps for all constituencies in the country as this was previously done by the surveyors department.

GIS is a system for creating, storing, analyzing and managing spatial data and associated attributes. Mpundu Sholomo Mfula the Information Technology (IT) Deputy Director at ECZ, said biometrics was being used in Zambia to add value to the election process. However, he said that the traditional method of using an identity document to verify the identity of a voter could in the past not catch up with people who had two registration cards as they could use both to vote.

He pointed out that this was the reason why voters in the past were asked to leave their right finger prints in the voters registration books so that they could be scanned in order to verify one's identification. He added that cheating on one's identity status will not be possible with the use of the biometrics.

Under the voters' registration, the ECA has set up a database of registered voters using biometric indicators which is an efficient and accurate means of identification.

Mfula indicated that the 2006 voters register was now a permanent register because all the information is stored on a data base. But before the elections are due there will still be a registration of new voters those who were not registered before and of those who had moved from other constituencies.

Mfula also said that after elections there will also be an Audit trail. This will help skeptics overcome fears of computer error by producing a paper output which would allow a full manual recount if the results are contested.

The tour at ECZ also showed Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) which has stored over 4 million scanned finger prints of registered voters in Zambia. ECZ Deputy Director of Finance Mwelwa Chibichabo said the equipment was purchased from Waymark Info Tech in South Africa at the cost of 13 million US Dollars. Waymark has conducted elections in several African countries which include Tanzania, Nigeria and South Africa.

Mfula explained that in relation to Result Management, ECZ was now connected to ZAMTEL through a radio link to all 72 Districts and will also be connected to Zambian National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), and Mulungushi International Conference Center where the counting of votes will take place.

Should we not be using technology to enhance the effectiveness for how we implement the very cornerstone of democracy, voting to choose our political leaders?

Despite the obvious problems of connecting to the national electricity grid, Mfula said that there was need for people's mindsets against technology to change in order for Zambia to reach that stage of voting electronically.

Linda Mphande Nglazi a voter in Mandevu constituency in Lusaka said she could not trust electronic voting because of power failures and possible accusations of rigging elections since people are already used to manual system of voting and counting.

She however observed that in any system of elections in a democratic environment, electronic or otherwise, the elections dictate that: voters need to register to be eligible to vote; that each voter need to be identified as an eligible voter; that the voters vote is kept secret, that the voter only votes once; that voters have access to polling stations during the period of the elections, that the votes are accurately recorded and counted and that an audit trail is kept in order to verify the accuracy of results if necessary.

Aubrey Andrew Mwelwa a voter in Nkana constituency in Kitwe on the Copperbelt was in favour of Zambia considering e-voting in future so that even when one was away from his constituency, he could vote from any point and that this could also cater for people in the Diaspora.

"Without thinking twice Zambia should consider going e-voting in the future. The direct benefits of e-voting are ease of voter registration, accuracy of voter identification, accuracy of recording and counting of votes, speed of processing voters through a polling station, speed of counting votes and publication of results and ease or recount and verification."

Mwelwa said it was also essential that all voters have access to polling stations. "Access should not be limited to geographic location but should also take account of hours of operation and the length of time it takes to pass through the process."

Have You Seen Tunde Babalola?

2006-08-25T12:15:00.000+02:00

It so saddening - painful - uncomprehensible but true. Pelase if you by anychance know anything or can merely spread the word of the mail benath got from a friend - Tomi Lamikanra - please do so...

Have You Seen Tunde Babalola?

The article below is about a lovely family friend. Tunde is quiet and will not hurt a fly. Please read on and pass on the link, someone must know where he is. Thank you! 'toyin

By Uche Nworah
The Babalola family has been thrown into anguish and sorrow over their son Tunde, who has been missing since Monday June 19th 2006.
Tunde is the first son of a recently widowed Nigerian mother whose health has been deteriorating as a result of his disappearance. She has been shouldering the responsibility of looking for him without much help from the police, the NYSC and the Enugu state government.
His sister Busola Daodu describes him in these words; "My brother Tunde Babalola is 24 years old, 6 feet tall, light complexioned and slim. He was last seen wearing a black trouser, white shirt and sandals. He has brown eyes and slightly brown hair which he wears in a low cut. He is a Christian and has no facial marks. He goes to cybercafés a lot, and attends the NCCF fellowship and his place of primary assignment -Nkanu East local government - Enugu state, he is a quiet person and doesn't really go out much"
Information available to the family says that Tunde left the NCCF lodge in Emene-Enugu on Monday 19th of June and has not been seen ever since.
In an email conversation over Tunde's disappearance, Tope Ganiyat Fajingbesi who runs the NGO United For Kids Foundation says that "It is sad that Nigeria is at the stage where agencies like the NYSC and the entire government do not realise the enormous responsibility involved with posting citizens on primary assignments, this sort of case should have the Government and NYSC on their feet looking for Tunde because they are responsible for him, since he was in Enugu diligently serving his country, in the light of this lack of responsibility, I beg you, fellow Nigerians, to please help the Babalola family and friends to help find Tunde alive and well", she concluded.
The family though has not given up hope of finding Tunde alive; his passing out parade from the NYSC program is scheduled for next month, and they are holding out hope that their son will come back home, just like other corps members who will be going back to their families after the passing out parade.
The family's major worry is that there is currently no one on ground at Enugu searching for him. Their message is for Nigerians to help spread this news especially to anyone who lives in Enugu state and anyone who can join in the search for this charming young man.
If you have any information as to his whereabouts, please call +234- 8033935720, email temitopef@yahoo.com or contact All Saints Church Yaba, Lagos or the nearest police station.

'No jobs, no this, no that’

2006-08-07T13:01:00.000+02:00

Read this article and wondered: did I really say all that? Most not have realsied it was a reporter!!! But truth is what this is...

“All I heard around me was ‘No jobs, no this, no that’. I remember telling my parents that I wanted to grow up and change things. Not just in Nigeria, but across continents. I have to influence the world,” she says waving her hands for emphasis. “I’m tired of hearing complaints. I have to do something.”

This fiery young woman plans to take over the world in eight years. “I want to be a force to be reckoned with in terms of empowerment. In at least eight years – because I chart my life in small doses,” she says with a confidence that suggests that she’s halfway there already.

See rest of article at http://www.mg.co.za/articledirect.aspx?area=mg_flat&articleid=38975

I will fulfill Purpose!

Opening up a World of Opportunities

2006-08-07T12:51:00.000+02:00

How can we help rural youth to deal with these issues?

The key is information and access to it. If you provide young people with access to information, you open up a world of opportunities for them. Yet, the information needs to be relevant. Many efforts to reach out to rural communities use outdated means , and often provide outdated and irrelevant information, leaving those they seek to help disconnected from the modern world. Relevant information is, first of all, timely information. For many agricultural activities, timing is critical. Market information that reaches a farmer by snail mail is likely to be out of date, and therefore no longer useful. But in other sectors too, timing is crucial. In the health care sector, having the right information available when it is needed can be a matter of life and death.

See the rest of the interview doen about two years ago at http://ictupdate.cta.int/index.php/article/articleview/396/

Here They Come Again: Deciding our Future through the 2007 Elections

2006-06-09T16:29:00.000+02:00

To That Beneath:

I add my voice, my commitment, my will and ultimately my vote.

It will not be said of me that I Did Not, when I Could

Tired of the past not growing into the Future,

In Solidarity knowing Ripples grow wider than the naked eye can see..

IMPACTING MY GENERATION

From: 'Gbenga SesanSent: Friday, June 09, 2006 4:05

Subject: Here They Come Again: Deciding our Future through the 2007 Elections

Hello all:

We've heard all these before (ref: Atiku's manifesto, below), but until we're able to identify people who truly possess certain skill sets (at the very least, competence, committment, compassion and character) -- not those who pay experts to draw up programs -- we will be re-destroying the wheel. If the near-middle class (or emerging/existent middle class, within which most of us fall) can decide to do what it takes to make real votes count in 2007, we will be contributing to the emergence of a New Nigeria. Some have said, "what do you think you can do with all the machinery that the political 'owners' are deploying?" My response is quite simple: if the present level of anger in Nigeria is taken on through the elections, then we must all:

- Register (voters registration) towards expressing our voting rights;
- Convince everyone to register towards expressing their rights;
- Vote for the people of our choice;
- Be ready to "fight" (with the pen, association and other avenues) for a possible stealing of a clear mandate

Do you know that one of the weapons of the rigging elements is the fact that the number of registered voters is easy to manipulate? Look at 199 and 2003, with over 120 million people of which over 65% was elibible to vote, we recorded way less than 30 million votes in all. Lagos alone is 15-18 million, the students (speaking of tertiary now) make up another pool of millions. If all these people (as many as possible) are literate about their voting rights, the ballot box will have less probability of being hijacked! These "riggers" know this truth, thats why they keep telling us that the elections have already been decided -- it has not been decided! Your vote and mine will decide who's the next leader (not political representative

Internet Governance Forum: Multi-stakeholder Advisory Group

2006-05-23T14:15:00.000+02:00

The Internet Governance Forum is being convened based on the recommendations of the Tunis Agenda for the Information Society:

72. We ask the UN Secretary-General, in an open and inclusive process, to convene, by the second quarter of 2006, a meeting of the new forum for multi-stakeholder policy dialogue—called the Internet Governance Forum (IGF). The mandate of the Forum is to:

1. Discuss public policy issues related to key elements of Internet governance in order to foster the sustainability, robustness, security, stability and development of the Internet.

2. Facilitate discourse between bodies dealing with different cross-cutting international public policies regarding the Internet and discuss issues that do not fall within the scope of any existing body.
3. Interface with appropriate intergovernmental organizations and other institutions on matters under their purview.
4. Facilitate the exchange of information and best practices, and in this regard make full use of the expertise of the academic, scientific and technical communities.
5. Advise all stakeholders in proposing ways and means to accelerate the availability and affordability of the Internet in the developing world.
6. Strengthen and enhance the engagement of stakeholders in existing and/or future Internet governance mechanisms, particularly those from developing countries.
7. Identify emerging issues, bring them to the attention of the relevant bodies and the general public, and, where appropriate, make recommendations.
8. Contribute to capacity building for Internet governance in developing countries, drawing fully on local sources of knowledge and expertise.
9. Promote and assess, on an ongoing basis, the embodiment of WSIS principles in Internet governance processes.
10. Discuss, inter alia, issues relating to critical Internet resources.
11. Help to find solutions to the issues arising from the use and misuse of the Internet, of particular concern to everyday users.
12. Publish its proceedings.

73. The Internet Governance Forum, in its working and function, will be multilateral, multi-stakeholder, democratic and transparent. To that end, the proposed IGF could:
1. Build on the existing structures of Internet governance, with special emphasis on the complementarity between all stakeholders involved in this process – governments, business entities, civil society and intergovernmental organizations.
2. Have a lightweight and decentralized structure that would be subject to periodic review.
3. Meet periodically, as required. IGF meetings, in principle, may be held in parallel with major relevant UN conferences, inter alia, to use logistical support.

74. We encourage the UN Secretary-General to examine a range of options for the convening of the Forum, taking into consideration the proven competencies of all stakeholders in Internet governance and the need to ensure their full involvement.

75. The UN Secretary-General would report to UN Member States periodically on the operation of the Forum.

76. We ask the UN Secretary-General to examine the desirability of the continuation of the Forum, in formal consultation with Forum participants, within five years of its creation, and to make recommendations to the UN Membership in this regard.

77. The IGF would have no oversight function and would not replace existing arrangements, mechanisms, institutions or organizations, but would involve them and take advantage of their expertise. It would be constituted as a neutral, non-duplicative and non-binding process. It would have no involvement in day-to-day or technical operations of the Internet.

78. The UN Secretary-General should extend invitations to all stakeholders and relevant parties to participate at the inaugural meeting of the IGF, taking into consideration balanced geographical representation. The UN Secretary-General should also:
1. draw upon any appropriate resources from all interested stakeholders, including the proven expertise of ITU, as demonstrated during the WSIS process; and
2. establish an effective and cost-efficient bureau to support the IGF, ensuring multi-stakeholder participation.

79. Diverse matters relating to Internet governance would continue to be addressed in other relevant fora.

In keeping with this, the UN. Sec. Gen has constituted the IGF Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group which will carry out its work in an open, inclusive and transparent manner, and will seek to make the best possible use of electronic working methods, including online consultations.

Colombo, Not Christopher II

2006-05-23T13:44:00.000+02:00

So what did I do at GKP IF06?

1. Attended the plenaries and heard some inspiring quotes 'Horses for Causes', donor concepts of innovation (really?)
2. Facilitated Open discussion on Issues around Sustainaibility of ICT&E Projects
3. Attended a panel on localised content
4. Met with potential partners across baord - two initiated and awaiting responses another two to be worked on in the following weeks...

Which did I gain most from?

2, 4, 1 and 3 respectively...

Chronicles of Nigeria: Nigerians, Elephants and Long Memories

2006-05-07T20:37:00.000+02:00

Chronicles of Nigeria

1960: Independence from the 'Colonial Lords'

1967: Divided we bled

1979: First Military Handover to Civilian Leadership

1986: Repression of cultured expression, Who Killed D.G?

1993: Political Side-Stepping, Mayhem and Anarchy loosed upon Our land

1999: Similitude of Democratic Stability

2007: Perfection of the Political Recycling Art?

To all who seek 'political longevity and resurrection';
Our memories are long, fed by the past, present and the forseable future.

United We Stand, Divided We fall...and fall...and fall...
How long shall we trudge and mourn?

Colombo, Not Christopher

2006-05-07T12:08:00.000+02:00

About the only thing that is mildly related to the ancient veteran traveller, Christopher Columbus in the city of Colombo is a few ancient British buildings peeking out of the masses of modern buildings dated for the seventies and eighties. Or maybe no relation at all read up on him.

The City of Colombo, in the Island of Sri Lanka could be mistaken for any other developing coastal nation in Africa or Latin America if simply looked upon from the surface. In truth, our major difference some rightly say is merely the color of our skin, across the globe - if we look closely enough we run the same race though differently.

So what has brought this Young Female Ajala here? I am attending my first GKP International Forum on “Creating Prosperity through Innovation: ICT at Work in Development” which refers to the multitude of innovative ways that information & communications technologies (ICT) are being applied to improve the human condition.

The GKP is the 'is the leading international multi-stakeholder network committed to harnessing the potential of information and communication technologies (ICT) for sustainable and equitable development. Ranging from grassroots practitioners to policy-makers, GKP members and partners are innovators in the practical use of ICT for development. Through GKP, governments, business and civil society organisations, share their experience, ideas, issues and solutions to unleash the potential of ICT to improve lives, reduce poverty and empower people. ' You can have a field day knowing more on this session at http://www.globalknowledge.org/internationalforum

I am here as a GKP member and will be facilitating an Open Space discussions on 'Issues around the sustainability of ICT4Education partnerships' on the 8th of May from 2:00pm. Open Space is an innovative way of facilitating communication, commitment, and action on specific topics or issues of interest among a group of participants. Topics and issues are proposed by the participants and the formation of discussion groups around the topics is on a spontaneous basis, assisted by a facilitator.

A broad range of panel's and plenaries include but is not limited to:

1. ICT in Sri Lanka
2. Redefining Context
3. ICT for Peace
4. Pioneering New Partnerships
5. Social Enterprise
6. Innovating Government
7. Cultivating Youth Social Entrepreneurs
8. Novel Content
9. Tech Devices for Development
10. Telecentre Interactive session

Will keep you posted...

Stormy

2006-03-26T11:39:00.000+02:00

My thoughts are kind of stormy today...

Not stormy bad but stormy knowing some changes are about to happen and I am groaning in the Spirit to see them birthed.

I am learning patience, peacefulness and how to speak in Love and caution my tongue...

Love is Patient, Love is Kind, It does not speak evil of another...

I am Patient, I am Kind, I do not speak evil of another...

Talk to you later...

ICE

2006-03-21T13:12:00.000+02:00

21st March, Freedom day in the Rainbow Nation of eleven official languages...

Freedom: Political independence? Abundant human, economic and natural resources? Allocation to all? Equality for all?

All Animals are equal but some are more equal than others...

An emerging poor: estimated 25% of White now live with 1500 Rands and below (37,500) a month.

A fortune a month back in my native land.

All animals are equal...

Emerging class of 'Nouveau Rich': Black's who live abundantly on their potential to earn - home loans, car loans, buisness loans, credit cards, budget payments.

All Animals are equal...

The higher the earnings per month, the higher the credit ratings and lower interest with banks and finacials insitutions; the less you earn...

Some Animals are more equal than others...

Amandla! Freedom!

I eat Ice, knowing its not good for my voice nor my health....I am capable of doing all things...Good? Bad?

Amandla! Freedom!

All things are lawful unto me, but not all things are expedient.

Amandla!

Change

2006-03-20T13:28:00.000+02:00

Change...
Changes...
Changing...
Changed...
Change Maker...

Yeah my life has seen some recent changes...non including actually blogging a lot more...

Signs of my not being communicative written words wise? Or not spilling out my thoughts before they are fully formed?

Hmm..I.to sit and type ...if I do keep this blog fully alive - will be a lot of ramblings...needing a change in attitude to understand what perspective I represent and emerge from.

Changes - lifestyle.

Don't ask me questions.

Native of Nigeria,Citizen of the World

2005-11-10T10:21:00.000+02:00

Its been awhile - I while be working a lot harder to make sure I do blog some...Headed to Tunis, Tunisia for the World Summit on the information Society...for about a week not more...will really try to keep this updated...

Enjoy...

Third Time Around: Cairo, Egypt

2005-08-02T16:26:00.000+02:00

At GTP JKF Meeting...

Heheh e

Need to know the meaning? Go read www.globalteenager.org.

Its real hot now in Cairo but we ar ein mostly...

We have a Nile Cruise Dinner tonight...

I will Keep updating this et al as we go on.

See You Later

Dakar, Senegal: The White Walled City of Tall Ebony Humans

2005-07-26T11:29:00.000+02:00

Hi,

I am meant to be working but in a funny mood...

1. I returned from Dakar on Friday - having changed my flight from Sunday the 24th to friday the 22nd - in good time it turns out as South African Airways decided to go on strike and flights went out of kilter et al...little mercies...Mosquito's in Senegal I have concluded are not huge, they are mutants that have specialised fangs not to bite but to just wine unceasingly in 'foreigner's ears :-) ( I discovered that in all South African Languages, there is no one word for 'stranger' - amazing)...It was my second time in Sengal and I visited the Goree Islands...and Lake Rose (which happened to be black and dirty looking when we visisted far from the advertised pinkish look...:-( But it was nice to have some time see a city I am working from for once :-)

2. Also turns out it was a good thing my trip to Egypt was shifted for me as you can read from www.bbc.co.uk on the events that just occured there...hmm...I am greatful Lord...

3. So what up with me today? I have three papers to write; I have reports to finalise and send off; I have trips to plan; I have funds to find but all I seem to have in my head is that I am irritated...

4. I leave for Egypt this weekend...for a week...okay what up?

5. I am getting a new look that I won't reveal to anyone till I see y'all in October...

6. Okay I have decided to have lunch, perk up and do my work :-)

Thank Our Father who first loved us on my Behalf.

:-)

Our Niece, Whose Replica? MINE!

2005-07-13T12:09:00.000+02:00

Pictures from My recent trip home on leave to meet my one and only NIECE - so far :-)

She got beautiful eyes, yes?

Look at the cheeks like new blossoms of Roses waiting to fully bloom:-)

She sleeps:-)

BEAUTIFUL

Nairobi to Johannesburg to Limpopo to Abuja to Lagos

2005-07-07T16:47:00.000+02:00

A motnh already?

Guess so...been around a bit since then...

All around Youth in the Information Society from ATPS/CTA to NEPAD to ITU to NCC supporting Youth in the Ifnormation Society...

Atimes I ask myself why did I do this to myself this WSIS YC facilitation thing? I get tired atimes but...

In Lagos on Leave and trying to rest and so far have kept offline till now...I need to send a list off to the ITU ortherwise :-)

Went to watch Mind Hunters (Stupid Movie) at the SilverBird Cinemas on V.I. notbad at all...

Okay got to go offline again now wil work on keepignthis up properly...enjoy oh...

Stuttgart to vienna

2005-06-02T07:48:00.000+02:00

Yawwwwwwwwwwwwnnnnn...

I am tired this first night of the first day in June, 2005. Has it been a long day? Spent most of it bent over my laptop enrusing delivery on a draft docuemnt that has now returned to my table having morphed a new section which now has to be fleshed out in time for submission tomorrow - but I am not going to do it today.

Yup, not procastinating but have learnt that I am at my best and most creative docuemnt wise when I am not tired and practically nodding off...

So how was Stuttgart, you ask? It was restful and quiet...Walked around, met Sis. F.s colleagues, friends and got to know her apartment some. Then got hooked on Bodie Thoene...what/who is Bodie Thoene? Search google :-)

Its rasied my interest in History once again...our world is full and rich with so muchh forgotten...but a question arises in mymind that Iwill seek answers too - were there Blacks in Nazi German? Where they also classified as racially inferior? If yes not surprising, but hten who has captured thier stories, followed thorugh on what happened ot them? Questions, Questions.

I rode the train from Stuttgart to Vienna, with the serene danube River lilting next to me on the tracks...what beauty the country side, and to imagine it has seen so much, so very much.

If only forests and the earth could speak. If only we understood the language of the heavens when it thunders, then we would indeed be able to hear waht has been past upon our dear Earth.

Work which brings me to Vienna, began today with a little meeting for speakers and then a cocktail 9why on earth is it called this? We never eat tilas of no cocks :-()...Anyways, met up with far away old but familiar faces, met new ones and look sliek it will be a good netqworking session with relevant work coming forth from it.

I need to go sleep now is I am too wake up early enough to work on this docuemnt. But then woudl have to buy more Internet credit...well...will do...

Did I mention that the YC Facilitation team the other two have all of a sudden cancelled coming? Now we are trying to get someone else on to our panel so its not empty...hmmm...I love aving Plan A' to Z's ad inifinitum...

Okay,

O'daro eyin Ara.

2005-05-26T15:12:00.000+02:00

Obviously I am Proudly Nigerian :-)

I travel a lot and I hope that somehow I can carry those who love me around as I hope around nations doing my hearts desire - creating an impact in my generation via my work.

Lets see how often I can keep this up.

Tomorrow I leave for Vienna, Austria (Yeah, Sound Of Music! :-)) via Paris and Stuttgart. So far I have visited via my work and volunteering quite a number of countries, a listing of which you cna view on my profile at www.takingitglobal.org. Plus its a small fraction compared to the number there is...First you have to know my name to be able to find it right?

Maybe I will tell it sometime...

Okay...I really hope I can keep this up - woudl be interesting to pour out my mind online...hehehe I am said to have more of a virtual life with me and my work being joined at the hips...

Ciao...