Paradigm Initiative Nigeria is volunteer-based, youth-led, flexible, online-driven and practical in its approach. This initiative has, since 2001, moved in the direction of this ambitious task. We believe that in the next few years, other efforts and ours will be weaved into a fine matrix in order to produce a sustainable youth inclusion and empowerment drive that will help fulfil Nigeria’s dream of active participation in the Information Society. These combined efforts will give wings to our collective dream of a New Nigeria, one that is built on the labours of our past heroes, hewn out of the debris of the present waste and engineered by the strength of Nigeria’s youth!
"Paradigm Initiative Nigeria’s volunteers, though active in their respective organisations, remain committed to the ideals and values of our collective effort, and hold dear the dream of a New Nigeria. We believe that it is not a question of if Nigeria will be great again, but a question of when and who. Can this generation be the one to answer the when and who question? PIN says yes… what do you say? At Paradigm Initiative Nigeria, we believe in action over words, and identify with integrity, responsibility, innovation, synergy and sustainability. We equip young people, tomorrow's leaders and decision makers, with appropriate Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills to carve out a better future for all.
"Concrete goals that we have set at Paradigm Initiative Nigeria include:
- ICT Youth empowerment: Equipping youth with appropriate ICT skills that can help them in their lives and work - or study,
- Youth inclusion in policy and decision-making processes: Advocating for the inclusion of young people at major decision-making fora and policy processes that bear relevance to the Information Society,
- Personal development: Challenging young people to develop themselves even in the face of declining educational standards and an harsh post-school environment,
- Nation building paradigm: Seeking to influence the thinking pattern of youth, and asking them to think more of what they can contribute to the nation’s development instead of complaining about every error and always looking elsewhere for solutions,
- Regional cooperation: Encouraging youth and youth-led efforts to network efforts beyond national boundaries in order to share resources and best practices,
- Global participation: Identifying and promoting opportunities for youth to participate in global decision-making and policy processes revolving around the use of ICTs for development.
"We pursue these with so much energy because we believe that pursuing the common good will take us to the desired heights as individuals and people groups. If you ask us, we’ll say to other youth efforts:
(a) Identify the problem you wish to solve, because there are so many of them and you cannot solve every problem;
(b) Conduct a proper evaluation of what’s presently available and this will inform you on what exactly needs to be done;
(c) Develop partnerships;
(d) Draft an initial plan, and at best, a multi-year Strategic Management Plan;
(e) Break big tasks down to small achievable steps and identify individuals who’re responsible for each task."
