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By Enyinna Nwagwu , Deputy Editor, Business Champion. As published in the Informatics section of the August 31, 2000 issue of Champion newspaper. PRESIDENT Bill Clinton of the United States of America moved many Nigerians close to tears when he traced the early life of computer whiz-kid, Philip Emeagwali, in his address to the joint session of the National Assembly. Emeagwali, the Delta State-born Nigerian – American, was one of several thousand children tortured by Kwashiokor during the Nigerian Civil War. While thousands died, Emeagwali was luckier. He was rescued from the clutches of death and taken to a refugee camp, where his life was saved. The name, Philip Emeagwali is today a household name in information technology. Having won a scholarship to study in the U.S. Emeagwali excelled in computer studies. His latest invention, as president Clinton recounted, is his formula which lets computers to make 3.1 billion calculations per second. Emeagwali today ranks shoulder high with notable names in information and communications technology. A consultant in information technology of no mean repute, Emeagwali ranks with the likes of Bill Gates, Mr. Dell of Del Computers and consults for Microsoft, Dell Computers and Compaq Computers in the United States. One of the great lessons to learn from Emeagwali’s life is that without the scholarship to study in the U.S. his life would not have had meaning. Without an enabling environment to succeed as provided by the U.S., Emeagwali would probably have ended up like an area boy. He would have died unsung. His talent would have died with him, like the other several thousand children who died of malnutrition during the civil war. If, perhaps, among the few hundred children rescued from death by the Red Cross during the civil war, Emeagwali’s life shone like a million stars, how about several thousands who died? If they had lived, we would have had many more Emeagwalis, not just in computers but in aeronautics, nuclear physics, medicine and in fact, in every facet of human life. Perhaps, among those children who died, there would have been somebody who could hold the answer to AIDS. The point, President Clinton highlighted in his address is that there can be no great nation without a future for that country’s children. And there can be no great nation without investments in information technology. President Clinton realised this a long time ago and ordered that all U.S. schools should be hooked to the internet. It is also in line with this policy that America launched the Leyland Internet Initiative for Africa. The idea was to spread Internet connection in Africa. If for nothing, the Leyland Internet Initiative has helped in raising awareness about the Internet throughout the continent. In Nigeria, the Internet is no longer perceived as "magic" a posture it earlier had. It is now a reality. With Internet service providers (ISPs), cybercafes and Internet connections in all nooks and crannies of the country, the Internet is fast becoming a culture. On the part of the Federal Government, nothing serious has been done to give the information and communications technology subsector its deserved place. Except in a few privately-owned secondary schools, no public secondary school owns a computer for the teaching of students. Similarly, except one or two universities in the country, the rest do not have Internet connection. This situation underscores president Clinton’s statement that building a stronger economy also means helping all children learn. Barely two years into democratic governance in the country, there is defined policy on telecommunications and computers. Only last year, a fraudulent policy meant for the 16th century was announced for the country in the 21st century. It died as soon as it was made public. A new one is in the offing. It is already doomed because those hatching the document have failed to consult extensively. Industry operators who are supposed to work with the document have started picking holes in the expected policy, even before it is made public. in audience with President Olusegun Obasanjo, a forthnight ago, the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) fired the first salvo. It said, "Government should have taken advantage of the cumulative experience of our members so that the final document will be well accepted by all stakeholders within the industry." Our lameduck National Assembly, which should have made the difference with a well-articulated telecommunications bill has failed to perform. The federal legislature which last year was vocal in criticising the telecommunications policy and promised Telecommunications legislation has gone to bed. Since this year, if there are communication committees in both chambers of the National Assembly, such committees exist in the imagination of the legislators. The present laws in the industry are outdated and have failed to embrace changes within the industry. The Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1966 and the various amendments, the Decree Number 75 of 1992, which seeks to deregulate the industry and the amended version of 1998 are obsolete. There is need for radical changes to make the country have a telecommunications act in the same pedestal with the United States Telecommunications Act of 1996. By Enyinna Nwagwu , Deputy Editor, Business Champion. As published in the Informatics section of the August 31, 2000 issue of Champion Click on emeagwali.com for more information.