Africa’s foremost tech icon and Chairman of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, will be turning 70 on February 22. But very unlike his ilk, he will not be
Africa’s foremost tech icon and Chairman of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, will be turning 70 on February 22.
But very unlike his ilk, he will not be throwing a mega party to celebrate. Ekeh, a largely humble and private person not known for celebrating birthday milestones, explained that rather than throwing a lavish birthday party befitting his newly attained septuagenarian age, he has chosen with his companies’ management to provide world-class tech human capital to support growth of the nation’s economy.
To this end, he will be expanding his scholarship scheme to accommodate an additional 1000 Nigerian indigent wiz-kids to study Computer Science in Federal Universities. According to him, this so that the country’s private and public sectors could have a new generation of tech wiz-kids to support the growth of the economy. This he says will cost him nothing less than N10 billion.
Selection shall be based on a minimum Intelligent Quotient and age nationwide, and they shall be schooled and exposed beyond tech to become global Tech Citizens. In addition, beneficiaries shall be from poor homes and those with parents who earn below government level 10 and its equivalent in the private sector. The first batch will start in September, and they are all expected to earn first class degree.
Leo says this is his own little way of appreciating his country, individuals and corporate organizations that gave him the opportunities he has had in the last 40 years while still patronizing his brands – Tech Group – Task Systems, TD Africa, Zinox Technologies, Konga etc. He hopes that if he is successful with this spiritual mandate, he can then celebrate his 100 years on earth with a bang.
