Armed with the fact that the 21st century is a knowledge economy, which demands a new attitude and mindset, serial digital entrepreneur and Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh has decided to strengthen the knowledge economy of ImoState by committing the sum of over N500 million towards a novel initiative to create jobs and promote peace in the State.
Announcing the donation yesterday during a quarterly Stakeholders Meeting/Luncheon hosted by the Imo State government, Ekeh explained that the N500m fund would be utilized in establishing a finishing school which would polish fresh graduates as well as the unemployed, equipping these beneficiaries with world class skills that would transform them into highly sought-after prospects that can compete with their peers globally.
According to him, the products of the school would become more marketable and would secure gainful employment in Nigeria and abroad, while also adding that he would source resource persons from around the world to mentor the beneficiaries and equally re-train their trainers.
‘‘I am not a politician and I will never be one in my lifetime. But nobody can convince me to fight against my state. Imo State belongs to all of us. We need to join hands with the current administration and whoever is in power to develop the state for our children and unborn generations,’’ he stated.
While calling on other well-meaning Imo indigenes at home and in the Diaspora to support the finishing school, Ekeh disclosed that the project would commence with the best qualified five per town until every unemployed graduate is re-trained in Imo state.
Meanwhile, Gov. Hope Uzodinma, who delivered a scorecard of his administration’s performance within the past two years, hailed Ekeh for his unceasing contributions to the development of Imo State. While thanking him for his many selfless and philanthropic gestures in the past, Uzodinma also expressed gratitude to the Zinox boss for his latest initiative, adding that the proposed project would go a long way in supporting the state government’s human capital development drive.
