In this book, the author offers both an autobiographical reflection and a collection of his presentations. They take us through a journey of desire, personal courage and the will to grab the moment, whenever opportunity knocks. That trait is in short supply among our youth, a good reason to invite them to read and emulate. Stimulated by ‘Gbenga’s seemingly unquenchable optimism, they may truly become nation builders or achieve personal success in this information age. 'Gbenga is one of the finest examples of leadership in today’s Nigeria. His courage, determination, and sheer passion for excellence have distinguished him as a veritable force in the sphere of ICT and youth development. He exemplifies the truth that in order to succeed, talent must be combined with discipline, courage and progressive action. In My Own Words captures the depth of Gbenga's insight and experience, the diligent application of which is capable of positively impacting the careers of young people all over the world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

‘Gbenga Sesan, an Ashoka Fellow, is the Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative Nigeria and he serves on the board of numerous organizayions. Originally trained as an Electronic & Electrical Engineer at Obafemi Awolowo University, ‘Gbenga has completed Executive Education Management Training Programs at Lagos Business School, New York Group for Technology Transfer, Oxford University, Harvard University andStanford University. His consulting experience includes assignments completed for numerous institutions, including Microsoft, Harvard University, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Res Publica, Computer Aid International, Heinrich Boll Foundation and the International Telecommunications Union.

Beyond Nigeria, ‘Gbenga has consulted and made presentations in various countries, including Austria, Canada, Egypt, Ethiopia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, India, Kenya, Mali, Morocco, Rwanda, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, United Kingdom and United States. He is a member of the United Nations Committee of eLeaders on Youth and ICT and Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellow; and he was Nigeria's first Information Technology Youth Ambassador. He was the Vice Chair of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa’s African Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC), voluntary adviser to numerous youth-led nonprofits and pioneer Program Manager of Lagos Digital Village. In 2006, he was appointed as the youngest member of the Nigerian Presidential Task Force on the Restructuring of the Nigerian Information Technology and Telecommunications Sectors. ‘Gbenga is also an author and regular feature on some of Nigeria’s popular television shows.

In recognition of his dynamic efforts, 'Gbenga has been honoured with the 2009 National Youth Merit award, 2009 OAU Ife Distinguished Alumni award, 2008 OAU Ife EEESS Distinguished Alumni award, 2008 FGC Idoani Alumni award, 2007 Nigerian Youth Leadership award, 2007 The Future Youth Advocacy award, 2006 International Telecommunications Union YES Scholarship award, 2006 Ondo State Sunshine award, 2006 The Future Best Use of Technology award, 2005 Stockholm Challenge Champion honour, 2004 NiPRO Excellence in Information Technology award, 2003 JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) in Nigeria award, 2002 JCI Ten Outstanding Great Ife Alumni (TOGA) award, 2002 Journalists’ Frontier of Technology in Nigeria award, and the 2001 International Telecommunications Union’s African Youth Fellowship award. ‘Gbenga Sesan has been profiled as one of the 35 Icons of ICT in Nigeria and he keeps a personal website atwww.gbengasesan.com. He is married to Temilade, a PhD scholar with research interests in Renewable Energy Policy and Implementation for developing economies (especially Nigeria and Kenya).

"In ‘In My Own Words’, ['Gbenga] advances the twin pillars of his essence: a wonderful example of an ambassador for his generation and young people of all times, and an Information Technology aficionado." - Prof. Pat Utomi

"‘Gbenga Sesan is a man with a mission - to preach the gospel of computers to Nigeria’s youth...” – BBC

"... Every Nigerian that will still be around in 17 years (by 2025) – and that hopes to be relevant at the time – needs to grab a copy of this.” – Adeolu Akinyemi

“As a matter of fact, this alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University (‘Gbenga Sesan) might just qualify as one of the most internationally acclaimed young Nigerians outside the sporting arena...” – Genevieve Magazine

“... among his ilk in the Information Technology (IT) community, not only does the name ‘Gbenga Sesan ring a bell, it stands as an authority in that field. ‘Gbenga ... could well pass as the youngest Nigerian IT guru and ambassador, given his work within and outside Nigerian shores.” – Sun Newspapers

“In his selection as an Archbishop Tutu Fellow we have an expectation that ‘Gbenga will in the future be one of the most influential leaders of the development and transformation of Africa, particularly in the field of ICT. His impressive achievements to date demonstrate he is on the path to fulfilling our expectations of his leadership capabilities.” – Peter Wilson, Executive Director, African Leadership Institute

“‘Gbenga worked with me in the United Nations WSIS Youth Caucus. He is a very inspiring person who can successfully realize projects from vision to implementation. ‘Gbenga truly belongs to the next generation crowd of people who have the potential to change the world!” – Thomas Biebl, Austria

“Both ‘Gbenga and I worked together on the [United Nation’s] World Summit on the Information Society Youth Caucus. ‘Gbenga is an inspirational leader in the African IT field, devoted to the development of his country through practical projects and organisations. He enthuses and motivates others, and brings to his work a great degree of integrity and reliability.” – Nick Moraitis, Manager, Greenpeace

“‘Gbenga is one of the finest examples of leadership in today’s Nigeria. His courage, determination, and sheer passion for excellence have distinguished him as a veritable force in the sphere of ICT and youth development. He exemplifies the truth that in order to succeed, talent must be combined with discipline, courage and progressive action. I am proud to be associated with this excellent man.” – Modupe Adefeso, Associate Director, Youth Dynamix

“[Describing] ‘Gbenga in a few lines is almost impossible.... [He is a] young man who is restless for the development of the Third World through ICTs...” – The Business Woman Magazine

“It is the editor’s opinion that [‘Gbenga] is a miracle... the corporate thrust of the likes of ‘Gbenga Sesan is imperative for the emergence of a New Nigeria.” – Arrowheads Magazine

“‘Gbenga believes that the digital divide between Africa and developed countries can be bridged by Africans adopting the use of ICTs as a tool for development. He doesn’t just believe by talking about it but he is one of the very few people I know who are working consistently towards bridging this gap. Keep up the good work man!” – Kayode Afolabi, Consultant, British Telecommunications

“‘Gbenga is someone I would work with ten million times over. ‘He is proactive, innovative, dynamic and very resourceful. He’s also very caring; he would go to any length for you...” – Sanni Muhammed

“[‘Gbenga] represents a generation of brilliant young people who have an idea of where they are headed in life...” – Young & Emerging Leaders Magazine

“It is a difficult task to summarize the life of someone who has accomplished so much in such little time. At the young age of 30, ‘Gbenga Sesan has touched the lives of thousands of youth living in Africa... If there is one word that I would use to describe his life, it would be inspirational. His passion and commitment, which are illustrated in this book, will surely inspire its readers, just as it has inspired me.” – Claudia Pompa, Incubadora de Empresas - Junior Achievement, Paraguay

“Success stories of role models like ‘Gbenga Sesan provide an encouraging environment for other young people…. ‘Gbenga is a perfect example of positive peer influence.” – Ugo Nwosu, Project Manager, Ajegunle.org