The Chairman of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, has expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for their goodwill messages and prayers on the occasion of his 70th birthday.
Ekeh, who reached the milestone on Sunday, February 22, also extended his thanks to a broad spectrum of well-wishers, including sitting and former governors, members of the National Assembly, captains of industry, and the global technology community.
Speaking during a post-birthday Thanksgiving meeting with ICT media stakeholders at his Ikoyi residence over the weekend, Ekeh admitted to being overwhelmed by the outpouring of affection from across the globe.
“In all my years, I have never seen such a show of love from Nigerians via every possible channel—from personal calls to social media. It tells me one thing: Nigerians are caring people who appreciate quality and value-driven impact. I want to use this medium to say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to everyone I could not immediately acknowledge,” Ekeh remarked.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his official tribute, hailed Ekeh as one of Nigeria’s pioneering innovators in the information technology sector. The President specifically commended Ekeh’s commitment to promoting the Nigerian brand and creating opportunities for young Nigerians.
Reflecting on their decades-long relationship, Ekeh described the President as a trustworthy and loyal friend who has supported his vision since long before the launch of Zinox.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, accompanied by his wife, Chief (Mrs.) Bola Obasanjo, paid a personal visit to Ekeh’s residence. Obasanjo described the Zinox boss as a very kind man and an achiever who inspired many youths at a critical point in Nigeria’s IT history.
The relationship between the two dates back to 2001, when then-President Obasanjo honoured Ekeh as an Icon of Hope and subsequently conferred upon him the national honor of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR).
The milestone celebration drew an elite crowd of dignitaries, highlighting Ekeh’s cross-sectoral influence. Among those who joined in honoring the tech giant were Former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, CON; Lt. Gen. T.Y. Danjuma (retd); Mr. Sam Amuka (Publisher, Vanguard); and Mr. Atedo Peterside (Founder, Stanbic IBTC).
Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe (MD, Fidelity Bank); Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna (Group CEO, Access Bank); and Mr. Walter Akpani (CEO, Providus Bank).
Dr. Ernest Ndukwe (Chairman, MTN Nigeria); Mr. John Momoh (Chairman, Channels Media Group); and tech policy expert Mr. Chris Uwaje.
Traditional ruler HRM Eze George Ekeh; and Ekeh’s long-time friend and secondary school classmate, Charles Oputa (Charly Boy).
Ekeh also took a moment to honour the memory of those who trusted his vision in his early business days, citing the families of Pa Obafemi Awolowo and other established entrepreneurs who gave him his first breaks.
As he enters his eighth decade, the man often credited with putting Nigeria on the global hardware map remains a symbol of resilience and digital transformation in Africa.