By LAJU ARENYEKA

The new media seems to be bringing a contrasting dimension to the sage that an old man sees farther sitting down, than a young man at the top of a tree. Today, what the average young person sees on a computer screen, can only leave the elderly with no computer experience fumbling, scratching their heads in confusion, and probably saying ‘that’s all.’”

The recent My Oga at the top ruckus, where Senior NSCDC official, Mr. Obafaiye Shem did not know the website of the organization he represents, does make one wonder about the level of understanding of Information and Communication technology among the older generation. As a post on the website, Naijastories.com reads, “Mr. Obafaiye Shem did not grow up in the internet-age.

He never had to google a difficult concept for his assignments. He probably keeps an address book and diary for important places, and if you ask him for the physical address of his office, he most likely knows it. He grew up learning physical addresses, not web addresses. Maybe we needed this incident to remind us of the technology disconnect – the digital divide that separates cultures, and generations.”

Mr Shem

Shem is not alone in that world. Recently, some Professors, when asked to send emails as part of assessment for the position of Vice Chancellor at a Nigerian university, also fumbled. They did not know how. Does this mean that they are not learned? Surely their years of research and study should answer that question in the negative.

Recent research carried out in the United Kingdom shows that most internet users are under 65 years of age. Tobey Gordon Dichter, founder of Generations on Line, an organization that seeks to graft older people into the internet age says that older people don’t use computers because they don’t have access to one, or they lack computer skills, or they are intimidated.

The world is now, more than ever before, a tower of Babel, with the younger generation speaking social media, and the older, caught up in wide eyed disbelief. Is it really necessary for people who are fiftyish and over to make use of the internet? The answer is a definite yes.

Nigerian youths are the leaders of tomorrow, but majority of the people handling top leadership positions in the public and private sectors in today’s ICT driven world are fifty and over. To this end, the Ogas at the top must make a move to remain literate, by continually training themselves with new media skills to keep up with the pace of globalization.

Here are some tips on how to go about it:

* Acquire a computer: Some brand new computers go for as low as 40,000 naira. You can even find a fairly used PC for N15,000 or N20,000. Then have a professional install a simple operating system with at least the most basic programmes.

* Time table: Give yourself about two hours a day to fumble around. That way you’ll learn by default. Don’t be afraid to fail. It’s better to flop in the privacy of your own bedroom than on national television.

* Yes, the internet counts: Computer education is incomplete without access to the internet. So as soon as you learn the basics, connect to the global village from your bedroom. You don’t need to spend more than N1, 000 a month on band width connection. Beware of the fraudsters who want your personal information or are out to make you a millionaire. Search for the stuff that interests you, that way, it’s more than learning; it’s fun.

* Take tutorials: If you’re a parent or grandparent, you don’t need to look too far to find a computer teacher—you must likely have one living under your roof. Don’t be ashamed to ask your kids or grand kids for help. You might as well get something out of the school fees you pay right?