Leo Stan Ekeh, chairman of Zinox Group, says his company is responsible for the computerisation of over 65 percent of the tertiary institutions in Nigeria, further adding that the technology firm could do more in terms of bridging the country’s digital divide if only the operating environment was conducive. He made these remarks while receiving Global Vice President, Intel Corporation, Greg Pearson who paid a courtesy visit to the Zinox Headquarters. The Zinox boss called on the federal government to grant tax exemptions to computer makers in Nigeria in order to provide them with requisite capacity to develop locally relevant technologies for socio-economic development.
By virtue of the visit, Zinox Computers, Nigeria’s First Internationally Certified Branded Computers, has strengthened its partnership with Intel, the world’s leading computer chips with a view to developing Nigerian technology. The long technical relationship between Zinox and Intel is sustained through the shared core values of innovation, trust, and grass roots relevance. The main thrust of this partnership is to continually seek to address the needs of consumers in different strata ranging from individuals in the education sector and ancillary sectors that bear requirements for advanced technology.
Pearson, told journalists that Intel was pleased to partner with Zinox, a regional leader with the capacities and high ethical value required to deliver on its promise to use technology to drive development nationally and internationally. Expressing enthusiasm for the Nigerian hardware industry, Pearson said that as a long standing member of the Intel Diamond Club, Zinox would continue to enjoy information and technical exchanges to make the company more relevant to the economy.
Welcoming the Intel delegation, Ekeh said that the partnership with Intel is an endorsement of the world-class standards in production and corporate governance that have been put in place by Zinox. He said that Zinox shared the Intel passion for adequately empowering the education sector. Of late, he said, Zinox developed and deployed the largest e-learning suite in Africa solely for the purpose of providing affordable access to content for the education sector. The Zinox world-class hub which, went live recently would bring relief to many educational institutions beginning from April 2013 when Zinox streams e- Content to educational institutions at half the present cost.
Ekeh, who was recognized as IT Personality of the year 2011 by the Nigerian Computer Society, pledged that Zinox would continue to domesticate world-class products as a bridge to the full transfer of technology. Ekeh revealed that the Zinox ultra modern factory would begin production before the end of March while explaining properly advised delays based on the irregular power supply in Nigeria. He noted that only the Federal Government can, through mandatory patronage, ensure the sustainability of the digital assembly plant that Zinox is installing.
The Zinox Boss said that the government should immediately commence the subsidy of computer ownership for all students in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Ekeh argued that empowering the young ones today with IT equipment is a surer way of ensuring a future Nigeria that can provide for its people, sustain the unity and stability of Nigeria, and lead the rest of Africa. Until this is done democracy dividends cannot be said to have been delivered. Zinox Computers set up in 2001 is the largest Intel partner in sub-Saharan Africa and participates in the Intel Inside program, in addition to being a member of the Intel Diamond Club.
Stories by BEN UZOR JR
