…Mute on succession plan, observers’ finger son, Nnamdi
Pioneer indigenous Information and Communications Technology (ICT) investors and digital digital entrepreneur who currently doubles as Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh has dropped hints on resting as CEO of his technology group by 2021.
One of Mr. Ekeh’s closest confidante disclosed that, going by his tone at the Zinox Group corporate retreat held in April, it is clear he will retire as Group CEO when he turns 65 in 2021.
However, industry players who barred their minds on the development argued the possibility considering a lot of new investments he is making in recent times. One of which is the telecoms Infrastructure Company (Infraco) licence to roll-out fibre optic cables (OFC) across the South East which he is yet to start.
Besides, the source who pleaded anonymity, averred that Ekeh’s target is to achieve a tech group worth $10B in valuation by this time and if he realizes it, he intends to change the lives of his devoted employees by making every Management staff in the group who has served him loyally a billionaire and others millionaires before retiring into full-time research in the technology sector and social work.
The source who maintained sealed lips on any succession plan, noted that “This is his ambition and I hope he realizes this, especially considering the turbulent Nigerian economy. This was one of the reasons his group did not retrench any staff during the last economic recession, an unprecedented feat that is highly commendable in view of the gale of retrenchment that greeted the economic downturn,” the source disclosed.
Confirming the development, Corporate Communications Advisor, Zinox Group, Mr. Echika Ezuka disclosed that Ekeh’s decision to call time on his stellar career as arguably the continent’s foremost technology entrepreneur is one that was taken after deep consideration, as it would afford him more time to focus on his other humanitarian interests.
Ekeh, who was honoured by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the occasion of Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary on October 1st 2002 for his sustained pioneering efforts in the area of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and as a model for modern Nigerian youths, has been consistent with several technology innovations in Nigeria and beyond.
Business Hilights recalls that in addition to pioneering Desktop Publishing and Computer Graphics in Nigeria with his first Company – Task Systems Ltd, Mr. Ekeh also pioneered the deployment of digital dispensing pumps in Nigeria in partnership with Elf Petroleum and Schlumberger, France through his company Stanoil. He launched the first ICT support Company in Nigeria – ITEC Solutions Ltd. and also pioneered structured ICT Distribution in West Africa with the launch of Technology Distributions Ltd. which has remained the biggest distributors in the West African sub-region.
Renowned for his disruptive business mindset and unerring eye for detail, Ekeh equally enjoys the status of manufacturing the first local and internationally certified computer brand in Sub-Saharan Africa through Zinox Technologies Ltd., manufacturers of Zinox brand of computers and digital devices.
Ekeh is credited with the biometric digital revolution in Nigeria, having delivered the INEC Voters’ registration in 2006 when foreign contractors could not deliver after months of promises. He again supervised the biggest single ICT digital rollout in Africa with INEC in 2010 as well as the largest single e-Library and Wireless cloud rollout project on the continent through one of his companies – Zinox Technologies Ltd.
