[WSIS CS-Plenary] Fwd: [wsisaccra] Truth Be Told
Tracey Naughton
tracey at traceynaughton.com
Thu Feb 24 21:59:15 GMT 2005
> African reality check, re accreditation issues for Nigerian youth.
> There has been a great deal of discussion on an African e-list on the
> Nigerian youth who were not granted visas to attend WSIS. Here is a
> contribution that people may find insightful....
Tracey Naughton
> Bildad Kagai writes:
>
> Why are we blaming ourselves and avoiding the truth???.
>
> Bottom line is that the Nigerian youth saw an opportunity to escape
> through
> WSIS to the richest country in the world. I'm a Kenyan and I know that
> even
> Kenyan youth with no options would have been 'stupid' not to take the
> opportunity.
>
> It is not our Nigerian brothers fault and neither is it a shame. To me
> it is a
> reality check and everybody seems to be doing it from China (where
> they pay
> more than ten thousand dollars) to be transported in transit
> containers and
> bla bla bla. We know the truth.
>
> However, during the Accra meeting, the International Migration
> Organisation
> ironically presented a paper showing how migrants are taking advantage
> of
> ICTs to contribute to Africa's agenda. Western Union (sending money),
> ICT
> expertise contributed to Africa bla bla bla. We know the benefits.
>
> Truth be told!! African Countries are paying the West loads of money
> in loans
> that were mis-used if not abused. They will not support the digital
> solidarity fund until they see how they will gain from it. We probably
> all
> know the vicious donor cycle. Most of the money donated for Africa
> development finds its way back to the donors.
>
> To me WSIS should see the problem as is. Come up with real solutions
> that will
> curb all this cross-cutting problems. No one benefits from illegal
> migrations. Let the the west be compelled to bring more business to
> Africa,
> outsourcing, software development and bla bla bla. We know what we
> need and
> we know the consequences of poverty. But..do they know.?? Tell them in
> that
> fora and they will see the sense of it. For those who watched CNN's
> 'Exodus
> from Africa' illegal migrations are risky but at times it pays. For the
> Nigerian brothers...they will definitely hatch another plot (they are
> clever
> and pressed by poverty) unless meetings such as WSIS address the real
> problems which will benefit both divides.
>
> Bill
> --
> Bildad Kagai
> CEO - Circuits & Packets Communications Ltd
> Coordinator - Free Software & Open Source Foundation for Africa
> (FOSSFA)
> Suite B2, Tetu Apartments, State House Avenue
> P. O. Box 20311 - 00200
> Nairobi, Kenya
> Tel. 254 20 2728332
> Fax. 254 20 2726965
> Cell. 254 722 379409
> E. bill at circuitspackets.com
> URL.
> www.circuitspackets.com
> www.fossfa.net
> www.ngomalinux.com
>
>
>
>
> On Wednesday 23 February 2005 17:09, EMMANUEL OLUWATOSIN wrote:
>> Yeah... Let's focus on the implementation of the whole process. I
>> believe that we have said so much about the issue of the VISA. So, I
>> suggest that we all find a way of taking part in the Prepcom meeting
>> online. The fact is that we can still get our recommendations across
>> to
>> the the people at the conference thanks to the Internet. Let us
>> therefore harness this means to make our stand know. Have a lovely
>> day.
>>
>>> This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
>>>
>>>
>>> You know this whole thing reminds one of the Women Conference in
>>
>> Beijing, Nigeria alone sent hundreds of women to the conference... as
>> at today, I am still not sure what exactly have been the gains of that
>> venture... as for Nigerian youths... while very intelligent, very
>> smart
>> and hard working, we lack personal innovation and continue to blame
>> our
>> leaders even when it is clear that we are losing out completely.
>> Enough
>> of this "our leaders are this, our leaders are that", it is the wrong
>> attitude, while Nigerian leaders are something else, after all we all
>> want to be where they are... 300 hundred visas applications??!...
>> think
>> of it, will nigeria entertain 300 visas from youths from the US or SA
>> or UK or any other country all wanting to invade (oh yes its an
>> invasion) Lagos for one meeting (when they are really coming as
>> observers, (oh common guys get serious!) You don't need to be
>> physically present in Geneva to be part of WSIS process... there are
>> many sessions, workshops, conferences, brainstormings and other
>> activities which form the WSIS process, you can take part in any of
>> the
>> sessions, and I dare say, the smaller the groups meetings you attend,
>> the more likely you are able to make impact and be noticed by the
>> international community and be weaved into other stages of the WSIS! I
>> and several of my colleagues (in Nigeria of course) are involved in
>> the
>> WSIS process and get to participate in most of the side sessions that
>> more or less provide most of the direction for the WSIS! Sometimes we
>> don't go to the big meetings that are more less sensitization
>> conferences on the porcesses so far...! this is way we are able to
>> focus on many other things and still be involved in the WSIS.
>>
>>> Nigerian youths are capable and proven their worth, as I send this
>>
>> note, a 12 year Nigerian School boy (JSS 1) has won an international
>> award for his efforts in developing a website that brings attention to
>> the plights of street urchins in the North of the Country. He is
>> scheduled to visit Jamaica and other countries, in March this year, to
>> share his works with kids and adults around the world... and whats
>> more! he is not even from a rich family and I bet, he has NEVER heard
>> of the WSIS!
>>
>>> Nigerian youths... wise up!
>>>
>>> Vitalis
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: Ayo Oladejo
>>> To: Accra2005 Mailing List
>>> Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2005 9:18 PM
>>> Subject: [wsisaccra] Re: on visas to Africans
>>>
>>>
>>> I am sure we dont need to flog this issue further. It is so clear
>>
>> that some people are using this civil society/NGO activities for their
>> gains, dont be surprised to note that some people use the opportuniy
>> of
>> these conferences to collect money from desperate youths to get them
>> to
>> travel . Or how can one explain 300 Nigerian applications to attend a
>> WSIS conference. If it can be written on our heads boldly that we are
>> truthful and honest citizens of Nigeria, that will be very good, but
>> since that is not possible- I guess it's a cross we all have to bear
>> until we can change the situation in this country. I still want to
>> reiterate the fact that our leaders caused this for us when out of
>> their selfish and personal agenda made Nigeria a country without a
>> future for it's youth. If we have an economically stable country, most
>> of these young people wont have to leave their Nigeria for a country
>> where they have neither relatives or friends.
>>
>>> It's a big challenge for us cos we need to start thinking of ways
>>
>> to correct this ugly trend of leaving an improverished country for the
>> next generation.
>>
>>> Ayo Oladejo
>>>
>>>
>>> Remmy Nweke <remmyn at yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>>> Hi Nnena,
>>> The truth is that you said the obvious, but one thing noteworthy
>>
>> is that developed countries cannot live without developing countries.
>>
>>> Regards
>>>
>>> Axel Harneit-Sievers <axel at boellnigeria.org> wrote:
>>> Dear Nnena,
>>>
>>> thanks for that information (did the WSIS SG give it in
>>
>> writing, can it be read somewhere?).
>>
>>> It also appears that the Swiss embassy in Abuja was simply
>>
>> overwhelmed by the number of applications. When I tried to help in one
>> particular case, the visa department mentioned that they had received
>> about 300 (!) Nigerian visa applications to visit the Geneva WSIS
>> PrepCom.
>>
>>> Obviously, such a number alone makes it difficult to filter out
>>
>> genuine applications.
>>
>>> Axel
>>> ------------------------------------------------------------
>>> Dr. Axel Harneit-Sievers
>>> Director, Nigeria Office
>>> Heinrich Böll Foundation
>>> 9b Omo Osagie Str., off Okotie Eboh Str.
>>> S/W Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria
>>> ++234-1-4721465
>>> www.boellnigeria.org
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: Nnenna
>>> To: Accra2005 Mailing List
>>> Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2005 12:42 PM
>>> Subject: [wsisaccra] on visas to Africans
>>>
>>>
>>> Dear all
>>>
>>> Greetings from Geneva. I think it important to mention the
>>
>> comments made today by the WSIS SG, Charles Geiger to the Civil
>> Society
>> Plenary concerning Visas. It is noteworthy that he actually spoke of
>> NIGERIAN DELEGATIONS.
>>
>>> The explanation was that when some of us applied for
>>
>> accreditation, we were asked for papers, including annual reports,
>> budgets and financial reports. Maybe some of us have forgotten what
>> they did supply as information. He said the reports showed that these
>> entities were tiny NGOs with very modest budget lines.
>>
>>> Then these same NGOs, without fellowships, are registratiing
>>
>> a team of 10 + participants for the events and are asking for VISAs!
>>
>>> So the logical conclusion is that an NGO with the kind of
>>
>> budget that was submitted could not just fund that kind of a team
>> unless its aims are MIGRATORY.
>>
>>> I cannot say that this is the case of every person.
>>>
>>> All the same, visa attributions are the sovereign rights of
>>
>> countries.
>>
>>> Let's not forget that.
>>>
>>> Best regards
>>>
>>> Nnenna
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
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>>
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>>>
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>>> "It is not over until I win"
>>>
>>> If u wonder how much God loves me, just read Psalm 91!
>>>
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>
> --
> Bildad Kagai
> CEO - Circuits & Packets Communications Ltd
> Coordinator - Free Software & Open Source Foundation for Africa
> (FOSSFA)
> Suite B2, Tetu Apartments, State House Avenue
> P. O. Box 20311 - 00200
> Nairobi, Kenya
> Tel. 254 20 2728332
> Fax. 254 20 2726965
> Cell. 254 722 379409
> E. bill at circuitspackets.com
> URL.
> www.circuitspackets.com
> www.fossfa.net
> www.ngomalinux.com
>
> Dgroups is a joint initiative of Bellanet, DFID, Hivos, ICA, IICD,
> OneWorld, UNAIDS and World Bank
> --- You are currently subscribed to wsisaccra as:
> tracey at traceynaughton.com
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>
Tracey Naughton
NYAKA
Communication for Development Consultant
201 Somerset hall
239 Oxford Road
Illovo 2196
South Africa
landline & fax: +27 (0) 11 880 5030
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email: tracey at traceynaughton.com
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