|
Founded in 2000 with members in several countries, Friends of Emeagwali is a
society of people who share interest in
Africa's exploitation of knowledge and information
technology to improve
the standard of living on the continent.
Friends believe that unless Africa harnesses modern technology,
the continent will remain the poorest in the world. Friends of Emeagwali's mission is to
increase awareness of the role of technology in improving the lifes of Africans. Our motto is: prosperity through technology.
The society's newsletter will be distributed once a year and eventually a magazine will be published. The magazine includes written
work by Emeagwali that has never been published, interviews, transcripts from his television and radio commentaries, letters,
along with writings that were not widely circulated.
The annual newsletter will include information by and about other Friends,
recent speeches and travel plans of Emeagwali.
And so long as supplies last, all Friends have opportunity to
acquire rare Emeagwali items such as autographed books from his
personal library, which are not otherwise available to the public.
Each day we receive requests from people who want to learn
more about Emeagwali and his associates. Friends is the primary means
of staying in touch and we welcome you to join this international
community of friends. Other activities may include
- Annual Dinner and Program
- Emeagwali Medal Award
Presented at the annual program
- Educational Resources
Class study guides, videotapes and exhibits.
 Question:
What is the purpose of "Friends of Emeagwali?"
 Emeagwali:
The Friends of Emeagwali Society is a volunteer, non-profit society, based in Abuja (Nigeria) and Baltimore (USA).
and fan club. The purpose is
to
- promote awareness and use of information technology in Africa,
- connect fans with a common interest in information technology and how Africa can leapfrog from
the agricultural to the Information Age, and
- connect fans with a common interest in the writings of
Philip Emeagwali and provide them with a
means to share information, sell and exchange memorabilia to expand their collections,
and keep up to date with Emeagwali.
Friends of Emeagwali will help students who did their school reports on
Philip Emeagwali understand his current projects. It is a way for these students to
utilize their enthusiasm about their interest in Emeagwali.
Question:
What can I expect to receive when I join "Friends of Emeagwali?"
Emeagwali:
When you join "Friends of Emeagwali'", you will receive an annual email newsletter
which will keep you up to date or inform you of little known facts about
Philip Emeagwali. You will be alerted whenever Emeagwali is
scheduled to appear on national television shows.
You will receive a free and autographed electronic photo of Philip Emeagwali that you may later download and print.
As an option, the president of "Friends of Emeagwali" will tell you where to purchase an incentive item such as a
biography or t-shirt or poster. The materials may change from time to time and the annual newsletter and Web site
will keep you
updated.
When Emeagwali is visiting your city, Friends might have a "Friends of Emeagwali" luncheon or party.
We tentatively plan to have
"Friends of Emeagwali" gathering in Washington, D.C, New York, Paris, Berlin, London, Lagos and Abuja.
Question:
What should I not expect from "Friends of Emeagwali?"
Emeagwali:
Joining "Friends of Emeagwali" will not guarantee personal favors
or a face-to-face meeting with Emeagwali.
Your primary reason for joining "Friends of Emeagwali" is to get current information and
communicate with fellow fans.
Question:
How many Friends of Emeagwali are there?
Emeagwali:
Three people visit emeagwali.com each year. A significant percentage of these visitors have
been visiting regularly as far back as 1993. We have been (and expect to continue) getting
a 50 percent annual growth in the number of Web site visitors.
If one in a thousand visitors join Friends of Emeagwali, we will eventually have
a few thousand members.
Question:
Will Friends of Emeagwali make money for Emeagwali or the organizers?
Emeagwali:
The answer is NO. We hope to break even. Any positive cash flow
will be invested into the program or Web site. This is a hobby and a labor of love.
Question:
Why do I need to send a self-addressed stamped envelope?
Emeagwali:
Your self-addressed stamped envelope will help offset the cost of postage.
The alternative will be for you to download the articles and photographs
and print them on your personal printer.
However, if you want Friends of Emeagwali to send you
printed articles, photographs, books, t-shirts and various memorabilia, we will request
a reasonable fee.
Friends of Emeagwali will have chapters in schools in the
United States and Nigeria. The first chapters will be in the United States (New York, NY)
and Nigeria (Abuja, Lagos, and Onitsha).
Click on emeagwali.com for more information.
| 
