On Tuesday, January 4, 2022, Ekeh, a resident of Mbaitoli in Imo State, disclosed the donation at a quarterly Stakeholders Meeting/Luncheon held by the Imo State government.
Governor Hope Uzodinma, the Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku, members of the expanded State Executive Council, as well as serving and former Imo State House of Assembly members and representatives from the National Assembly, were in attendance at the well-attended session, which was held at the Government House in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
Prof. George Obiozor, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, former Imo State Governor Ikedi Ohakim, elder statesman Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, former Inspector General of Police Mike Okiro, legendary singer Onyeka Onwenu, as well as traditional rulers, clergy, and academia were in attendance.
During the ceremony, Ekeh, who served as Chairman, stated that the twenty-first century is a knowledge economy that necessitates a new attitude and perspective.
He went on to say that hard effort, genius, humility, and a solid trust in God are all necessary elements for success, and that Imo State is blessed with a large number of young people who possess these qualities.
Using himself as an example, Ekeh, the chairman of Zinox Group, stated that if he could achieve so much from nothing, the present crop of young people in the state are undoubtedly more exposed, smart, and in a position to achieve even more.
The N500 million fund, according to the digital entrepreneur, will be used to establish a finishing school that will polish fresh graduates as well as the unemployed, providing them with world-class skills that will turn them into highly sought-after prospects who can compete with their peers globally. He went on to say that the school’s products will become more marketable, resulting in gainful employment in Nigeria and overseas, as well as appointing resource persons from around the world to mentor the beneficiaries and retrain their trainers.
Ekeh, who used the occasion to call for peace in Imo State, also encouraged all disgruntled parties to forgive and forget past wrongs, while also urging them to work with the current administration to restore the state’s glory. He also urged the media to exhibit caution in their reporting and desist from portraying the state in a negative light as a hotspot of insecurity.
“I am not and will never be a politician in my lifetime.” But no one can persuade me to fight against my government. The state of Imo is ours collectively. We must work together with the current administration and whoever is in power to improve the state for future generations,” he said.
Furthermore, Ekeh, the Zinox chairman, urged other well-meaning Imo indigenes at home and abroad to join hands and commit to the government’s latest effort by volunteering to fund at least five recipients across each town through the finishing school. He went on to say that the scheme would start with the best five competent people in each town and would continue until every unemployed graduate in Imo was retrained.
“Through this finishing school, we will teach the trainers and lean on our brothers and sisters with global competencies, both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora, to re-train our unemployed and underemployed graduates to boost their profiles in the global marketplace,” he stated.
Gov. Uzodinma, who provided a scorecard of his administration’s achievements over the previous two years, also spoke at the occasion and praised Ekeh for his unwavering commitment to Imo State’s growth. While congratulating him for his numerous altruistic and philanthropic acts in the past, Uzodinma also thanked him for his current initiative, saying that the proposed project will help the state government’s human capital development efforts.
Uzodinma, who announced the reconstruction of the devastated Eke Ukwu market as well as a slew of other development projects around the state, reaffirmed his commitment to restoring Imo State to its due status as the pride of the South-East and a tourist/investor haven.
“My darling Ndi-Imo, I want to reaffirm my commitment to serve with all my heart and power, fearing God.” One thing you can bet on from me as your governor is that not a single pin belonging to Imo State will ever go missing.
“Another thing you can be certain of is that our dear Imo will rise to greatness once more,” he added.
In addition to the finishing school, Ekeh also promised to digitally upgrade and bring proceedings in the State House of Assembly online this year, allowing Imo residents and members of various constituencies across the state to engage with their elected representatives more closely and in real time.
