The year that wasn't and the one that will be

As we look forward to the new Gregorian calender year of 2008 and I reflect on this particular trip around the sun as it comes to an end, I cannot help but have mixed feelings about it. I remember the hope and anticipation that greeted 2007 and the expectation of my family, friends, associates and countrypeople as we all looked forward to the first ever handover of civilian to civilian President in Nigeria amongst other things.

I remember the excited faces of the Galadima School kids early in the year as they got their XO laptops and can now contrast that with the newly appointed Nigerian Education Ministers pronouncement later in the year that "desks and uniforms" were more important than laptops in education.

I remember my delight at using the multitouch Apple iPhone and the pain of trying to make Microsoft Vista work well enough for me to use it properly.

I remember the excited celebration of Nigeria's first woman Speaker of the House and her unfortunately scandalous resignation later. Set in the perspective of a lifespan; in this case mine, there are a few more things I will remember about 2007 but then there's a lot I'm glad I'll soon enough forget.

I'm not big on new year resolutions or predictions but I do like top of mind issues and for this next trip around the sun, some of the things I would like to see happen are:

1. The rule of law becomes sacrosanct

While this in and of itself won't get rid of corruption in places like Nigeria immediately, its a good start! When leaders start getting held accountable for their actions while holding public office citizens and communities will begin to have the confidence required to build a better society.

2. Laptops become accepted as the basic tool for education

I know it will take decades for the physical reality to occur but it starts with a mindset! When people in charge of education realise that technology is not going to slow down its development because they are not ready to accept it is becoming pervasive they'll start to "get it"

3. "Open Source" integrates "Pay as you go"

I love the idea of open source but believe in a healthy commercial world too. When we pay for what aspects we use in a technology as we use it and not for things we don't need that are built into the products its equitable. Micropayment techniques and technologies have been long coming, I hope they arrive to universal availability.

As the trip unfolds over the coming 365 days, I wish all reading this joy in your heart, success in your endeavors, prosperity in your home, happiness in your mind and peace to your soul.