Zinox Group has disclosed that as part of activities to mark the 70th birthday of its chairman, Leo Stan Ekeh, it will offer through the Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation (LSEF), university scholarships, worth over N10 billion to an additional 1000 Nigerian indigent wiz-kids to study computer science in federal universities.

The firm, which said the move is targeted at ensuring that the country’s private and public sectors could have a new generation of tech wiz-kids to support the growth of the economy, noted that the birthday celebration is not going to be about any mega party.

Zinox said its chairman anticipated that these students, who will not be bonded, would disrupt the global wealth equation in favour of Nigeria and defend its tech independence.

According to the firm, selection shall be based on a minimum Intelligence Quotient and age nationwide, “and they shall be schooled and exposed beyond tech to become global tech citizens.”

Speaking, Ekeh said: “Each shall have a tech mentor from year one, as I plan a partnership with the Computer Society of Nigeria and every vocation they shall be engaged resourcefully. 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 starts this September, and I expect each to earn a first-class degree.

“This is my Group of companies’ and my little way of appreciating my country, individuals and corporates that gave us the opportunities in the last 40 years and still patronising our Tech Group – Task Systems, TD Africa, Zinox Technologies, Konga, etc. If we are successful with this spiritual mandate, I can then celebrate my 100 years on earth with a bang. With God and AI, I am aiming to make 120 years,” he said.

Ekeh explained that rather than throwing a lavish birthday party befitting his newly attained septuagenarian age, he has chosen, with his Group’s Management, to provide world-class tech human capital to support the growth of the nation’s economy.