World Teachers’ Day: Salute To African Teachers

 By Segun Ogunsanya

There is no gainsaying the fact that teachers are crucial to the process of education. In appraising the nexus between teaching and learning, teachers rank highest in importance because they organically facilitate the most critical part of education.

Strictly speaking, the ecosystem, which comprises children, parents, teachers, government, writers, publishers, and now technology innovators,  is brought to life by teachers. They not only facilitate learning, but also provide guidance and inspire learners. Some teachers have been known to exert greater influence on children’s development than some parents.

Africa's Leading eLearning Conference 2024: Unveiling "Education Fuels Innovation, Investment Amplifies Skills"

 Date: May 29 -31, 2024

Location: Kigali, Rwanda

[Kigali, August 16, 2023] – The much-anticipated annual eLearning Africa Conference and Exhibition, Africa's foremost gathering on digital education, training, and skills development, is set to convene experts, policymakers, academics, business leaders, and investors from across the African continent and around the world. The conference, running from May 29 to 31, 2024  in the vibrant city of Kigali, Rwanda, is poised to address critical challenges and opportunities facing Africa's education landscape.

In an era defined by global shifts and ambitious goals, Africa is confronted with the imperative of realising the African Union’s (AU) Agenda 2063. Addressing issues such as climate change, harnessing the potential of the 4th Industrial Revolution, and nurturing a burgeoning young population are paramount. In this context, education and skills emerge as pivotal pillars in surmounting these challenges and ushering Africa into a prosperous future.

Think, Before You Rwanda Lagos!

 By Jide Johnson

Long before the ethno-political madness for power started in 1998, which has taken an untoward dimension in recent years, Chief Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi sang a song, ‘Lagos State is the place for all…’ I am sure a lot of revisionists and ethno-bigots will disagree with me now because of the high stake politics of a selfish few, with disregard for the good of the majority. 

Parable Of The Self-Appointed Messiah

By Chris Nonyelum

The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Namibia, Retired General Mamodu Basiri sat in his palatial office ruminating over the events of the past three and half years since he assumed the mantle of leadership of the Namibian nation as a democratically elected civilian despot. The tides of reckoning were moving too fast, and his country men and women were subjecting him to certain ‘uncharitable’ assessments of his stewardship. Too much had been said and written about his messianic mission for his beloved country. 

He had mounted the saddle of leadership with the promise to clean the Augean stables and set his country men and women on the part of economic rediscovery and glory. But the burden of leadership has overstretched his sanity almost to breaking point. He was no longer sure how effective his sense of rational judgment was. One thing though, was very clear to him. He has failed woefully in his much touted messianic mission. But he was determined to cling to power at all costs. 

Africa’s Chance To Lead Next Digital Revolution

By Gordon Graylish

One interesting theme took centre stage during panel discussions at the recently concluded World Economic Forum on Africa in Rwanda; that what the continent needs as much as roads, dams, power plants (although there is still more development required) is a way to embrace technology and infuse digital transformation in all sectors.

It was interesting because when questions such as “how can we diversify our economies” and “how can we improve efficiency” or “how do we prepare our young generations to have jobs” were asked, the answer from a lot of different players including politicians, think tanks, investment organisations and the private sector was the same; embrace the “3rd industrial revolution”; the digital transformation revolution.

With a 350-million strong middle and upper class currently expected to jump to 430 million by 2020, in a 1.3 billion continent by that time, the private and public sector strongly concurred that technology will have a significant impact in modernising African governments in effect creating what I call the next-generation governments.

It’s encouraging that this revolution is already being stirred in small offices and houses across Africa that have wholly embraced mobile communications. Thanks to Kenya’s pioneering M-Pesa, Africa is leading the mobile money revolution and this has already had a noticeable impact on the continent in expanding financial inclusivity.

But mobile technology alone is not enough. The next logical step should be to harness technology for industrialisation, agriculture and social transformation. The world is entering one of the most exciting eras of technology.  Everyday objects are becoming part of an integrated system of smart devices that are changing the way we live. Opportunities are endless in smart energy power grids, smart cities, smart agriculture, building secure government services and developing a vibrant globally competitive technology industry. These opportunities have the ability to fuel GDP, create new jobs, and boost economies.