We expect more from FG's technology, creativity advisory group
Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr.
Quite a number of people believe that anything relating to the government is simply showbusiness. This sort of belief system is growing by the day and it has made it difficult to trust the government and some of its proposed policies. Sometimes, I am one of those with this kind of mindset, but the optimistic part of me propelled me to write a previous piece titled 'Agenda for FG's Technology and Creativity Advisory Group'.
An excerpt from that piece reads; 'what will give me and many others the most joy, is to see this group come up with policies that will make it less of a crime being a start-up in Nigeria today because, this is how a lot of entrepreneurs feel, when they are pounded left, right and centre, by weak policies and a non-supportive environment.'
I probably wrote the above because I was doubting the development deep down inside. Sometimes, I stop to wonder why some people doubt government's sincerity. Can it be because of the way and manner officials push an agenda with ulterior motives and yet try to sell us a dummy? One thing I can say for certain is that many of those who are around the corridors of power usually regard themselves as some sort of demi-gods, forgetting that power is transient, but justice, eternal.
Speaking of justice, I received a Whatsapp message a few days ago, that proved once again that the media in Nigeria is alive and living up to its responsibilities, despite the rather harsh environment.
The message reads, "Good evening sir, I am Vicki, (not real name), one of the AVDD grantee. Thank you so much for your assistance because, some of us have been paid."
Truthfully, I was elated by the news because, the media turned on the pressure on the authorities and they did what is right. My piece, titled 'Why is Aso Villa Demo Day/GEM grant stalled?', was shared extensively and thankfully, the story is now different for a number of the beneficiaries.
I understand that, just about 26 of the AVDD/GEM grantees have been paid as of the time of writing. Well, I am sure the media would not hesitate to turn on the search light once again, to ensure that this is not another strategy to employ smart tactics by super 'smart' government officials. In my humble opinion, both issues are simply classic examples of not having clearly thought-out policies or how else can one describe both development?
I sometimes wonder, if the government enjoys playing to the gallery or they simply don't give a hoot about what the populace thinks? The disappointment I feel about our current policy makers, just keeps increasing day in day out.
First, there was three months of no activity after the inauguration of the technology and creativity advisory group and when it was time for some activities to commence, a mail with little or no important information was sent from the secretariat, updating members that as agreed at the inaugural meeting, members will be assigned to participate across three sub-groups namely; Additional Infrastructure (led by Kingsley Eze, CEO, Tenece Professional Services and Moses Babatope, Co-Founder Filmone); Finanacing for Technology and Creativity (led by Mo Abudu, CEO, Ebony Life and Tomi Davies, President, African Business Angels Network) and Regulatory Issues (led by Bolanle Austen-Peters, Founder, Terrakulture and Kola Aina, Founder, Ventures Platform).
Reading that mail, made me shake my head in sadness for the sleeping giant of Africa. A number of questions are begging for answers: Why did it take three months for the secretariat and officials, working out of the seat of power, to distribute members into sub-groups? Now that the members have been distributed, what should we expect next? What are the expected timelines? Would it not have been better to have had an action plan, before the photo ops and public display of thumbs up?
I hope those who are in charge understand that there are rumours, not substantiated though, about the possibilities of consultants getting paid to provide support services to the group, even though members of the group were informed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo that it is pro-bono service to the nation. While this remains a rumour, the GEM experience, has taught us a lesson that consultants can actually earn millions while others are told stories. I hope this remains and dies as a rumour.
That said, Victor Ekwealor of Techpoint, wrote an article on this same matter titled, ' Three months after its inauguration, the Presidential Advisory Group on Technology and Creativity seems to be stalling'. In it, he quoted the Program Coordinator for the Advisory Group on Technology and Creativity, Edirin Akemu, as follows 'the group has been focused on outlining initiatives to tackle and that concerned parties have been contacted. Since then, the group has been divided into three and will be led by representatives from both the public and private sectors. Their focus areas will be; innovative infrastructure, financing and regulations for the creativity and technology sectors'.
There are some conflicting points but I will just point out one from the email I saw, which showed that the sub-groups are being led by private sector people only and not public and private quoted above. One other related point, is that, it was announced as a 50-man group, but what is on the list that I saw has only 47 people on it. What happened? Did three people resign from the group?
Well, now that all is said and done and the advisory group is ready to work, I hope that there will be a detailed timeline of what work will be done and the results that is expected? Nigerians are yearning to see good results coming out of this group.
Yes, I sometimes refuse to be optimistic, when it comes to government so that I do not get my hopes dashed in case of non-performance. I am, however, hopeful that some transformation will come out from the work of this group. All eyes are on the office of the Vice President of Nigeria and its officials, to see how it pulls this through.
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