Pix:(l-r) Comrade Salvator Amadi (INPA Secretary), Sir Chidi Emeagi (INPA Chairman), Former Imo Deputy Governor, Dr. Douglas Acholonu, HRH Eze Oliver Ohanweh, Zonal Vice Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Chief Azubuike Nwoke, Evang. Gele Agbai (INPA Treasurer), Chief Ike Nwosu (Master of Ceremony) and Mr. Sam Nwoke (INPA PRO) at the induction ceremony of INPA patrons and recognition of INPA Man Of The Year, at Rockview Hotel Owerri, Imo State last Sunday.
Information Communication Technology guru and boss of Zinox Technologies, Chief Leo Stan Ekeh has emerged winner of the Independent Newspaper Proprietors Association (INPA) Man of The Year Award.
Ekeh, popularly called the Bill Gates of Africa whose company Zinox Technologies manufactured the world’s first computer with Naira keyboard, was conferred with the award at the induction ceremony of patrons of INPA which took place at the high profile Rockview Hotel, Owerri opposite Imo State Government House on Sunday 17 December, 2017.
The Chairman of INPA, Sir Chidi Emeagi in his opening remarks, informed the audience that Ekeh emerged overall winner following a public opinion poll conducted by the association based on contributions towards the advancement of society.
Emeagi who was elected INPA Chairman with Comrade Salvator Amadi (Secretary), Evangelist Gele Agbai (Treasurer) and Mr. Sam Nwoke (PRO), commended Ekeh’s company for technological innovations that have taken life to the next level such as the use of drones for online marketing and product delivery through subsidiaries like YUDALA.
He regretted the attitude of governments at federal and state levels which does not make room for the industry to thrive in the face of many challenges.
Lauding the recipient for outstanding philanthropy demonstrated in the donation of fifty million naira to traders displaced by the demolition of the popular Eke Ukwu Owerri Market, the chairman of the occasion, Prof. Obioma iheduru, a former acting Vice Chancellor of Madonna University in Anambra State said Ekeh is easily one of Imo State’s best gifts to the global village.
While presenting the award, former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Dr. Douglas Acholonu, a life patron of journalists, commended INPA for recognition of excellence in society and pledged to support journalists as much as possible for the betterment of society.
On his part, HRH Eze Oliver Ohanweh, Zonal Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, one of the front runners for the office of Chairman of Imo State Council of traditional Rulers, noted that journalists are serving society better than politicians and charged them to continue to report the ills of society with undaunted audacity.
Receiving the award on behalf of Ekeh who was engaged with the President of Ghana during the award ceremony, Chief Azubuike Nwoke dedicated the award to the masses all over the world who are deprived, oppressed and short-changed by their leaders.
Speaking through his representative, Ekeh pledged to support the media which he described as an invaluable asset in governance.
In the same vein, His Lordship, Bishop Dr. Morris Ewuzie who represented the Chief Medical Director of Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, urged the association not to relent in their performance in social responsibility.
Among those inducted as patrons were Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, Dr. Mrs. Nkechi Okorocha, Mr. Frank Nneji, boss of ABC Transport Plc, Prof. Maurice Iwu, former Chairman of INEC, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Ndiufu Alike, Ebonyi State, Hon. Pastor Uche Nwole, former member representing Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Federal Constituency, Dame Comfort Obi, former Secretary of Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) Chief Herbert Chikwe, HRH Eze Emma Okeke, Chief Humphrey Anumudu, Hon. Arthur Egwim, Chief Whip, Imo state House of Assembly and Chief Dennis Okwu, a businessman popularly known as ‘’Sweet Apple’’.