By Amechi Obiakpu
Information Technology guru and Chairman of Zinox Technologies, Leo Stan Ekeh has said that anybody born in the 21st Century has no business being poor because of the information available today.
According to him, the century offers so much information that anyone who desires to be rich could tap into it to become rich.
The computer expert said this last Thursday at the 5th Anniversary Celebration of News Express online newspapers, held in Ikeja, Lagos.
He spoke on the theme: “National Unity and the Demand for Restructuring.”
Eke said: “Being rich is by choice and that is why I know that the age we are now offers great opportunities for anyone to be rich. So anyone born in this age has no business being poor because of the vast information available today.”
According to him, his over 30 years in the Information Technology industry has proved that the sector offers so much information for anyone who wants to take advantage of it.
“I have been tempted to leave the IT industry because of the huge returns from other sectors especially the oil sector, but I have remained in the industry because I enjoyed it.
“My idea of emancipation is ‘don’t be afraid of tomorrow’ and seize every opportunity that comes one’s way especially now that at one’s finger tip information can be accessed.”
Eke counselled that access to information was however not enough as one should be prepared to work hard to make a success of any endeavour, explaining that hard work accounted for his own success as entrepreneur.
“For 30 years I have worked hard to attain my present status even as I continue to break new grounds in the industry, working in most cases 20 hours in a day,” he said.
He also added that irrespective of the individual’s status, “one should be ready to give back to the country and always remember to pray for the peace and unity of the country because without it there will be no place to call home.”
Also speaking at the event, the General Manager, External Relations at the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Limited, Dr. Kudo Eresia-Eke said the importance of truth in nation building and maintaining peace and unity could not be overemphasised.
“However, I believe the most unifying factor is making the lives of Nigerians better and generally improving their standard of living,” adding that, “we are united by these national problems and we should be united in solving them.”
He noted that beyond providing value to shareholders, NLNG sees itself as a force for social good in Nigeria. He listed some of achievements of the organisation to include a workforce of 95 percent indigenous and 100 percent Nigerian senior management team, the economic development of the Bonny Kingdom for over a 25-year period and its series of empowerment programmes scattered in various communities.
