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When the six-seater jet landed and taxied to a halt at the Sam Mbakwe International Airport, Owerri, Imo state, there was a distinct sense of urgency among the usually professional protocol officers. Their joyful attitude communicated this message: “Leo Stan Ekeh, a proud son of the soil, has landed.”
It was a bright Friday morning, May 22, 2026. The splash of Oriental sunshine that morning in Owerri contrasted with the wet and puffy Lagos atmosphere that delayed take-off by some minutes. But it was a painless, comfy flight. Even comfier was the reality of flying in the company and care of a friendly and highly professional crew.
Protocol at Owerri airport was swift and seamless. Mission was urgent. Ekeh, an African tech-icon and serial global awards winner, including Forbes Award, must hurry to meet over 1000 secondary school students gathered from different secondary schools in Imo State. The starry-eyed students, males and females, with some teachers, parents and guardians, were waiting and anxious. Waiting to meet the man they easily associate with computers and all the geeks and gizmos of ICT. Anxious to hear him tell his story. And even more anxious to ask him questions. The students had their wishes. The meeting with the students was an alignment of dreams and reality.
It was obvious that Ekeh’s story resonated with the students. You could sense the fire in their eyes. The zeal in their bounce was undeniable. They could become digital whizzes and digital wealth creators. They could impact the world from Owerri. They could become billionaires tomorrow through the digital pathway. Ekeh has planted a seed in them with his story. But this meeting with the students was only a preface to the main event, which was to inaugurate the multi-million-naira AI-Tech Centre donated to Holy Ghost College, Owerri, Ekeh’s alma mater. The inauguration coincided with the 77 years anniversary of the school.
The centre was built by the Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation in partnership with all the companies under the Zinox Group, namely TD Africa, Zinox Technologies, Task Systems, Konga Group, etc. Ekeh leads the group as Chairman.
A man of details and global standards, Ekeh personally supervised construction of the AI Tech centre from block quality standard to final finishing. And it shows in the elegance of the structure. Aside the beauty of the building, the centre is equipped with highly integrated All-In-One Zinox Computers, 24-hour solar-power and enabled with high speed Starlink corporate internet connectivity signed up for the college for five years. In addition to its eco-friendly features, like the lifestyle integrated computer tables and chairs, it is fitted with two large AI-active screens for real-time online tutorials, turning the popular Catholic secondary school into one of the global smart tech colleges that will explore infinite possibilities in Africa. The AI-tech hub has an array of 200-integrated Zinox systems strategically arranged in composite groups of four giving it a suitable ergonomics for learning and knowledge-sharing that best complements the purpose of establishing the intelligent, smart centre.
For context, Holy Ghost College, Owerri (HOGOSCO) was in those days, a secondary school of first choice for many parents. They wanted their children (wards) to experience the first-class drills of scholarship, discipline, sporting excellence and integrity which the school was famed for.
In its 77 years of existence, the school has produced many great men in medicine and surgery, business, engineering, legal profession, entertainment and sundry professions. The inimitable Charly Boy (Charles Oputa), and football legend, Kanu Nwankwo, are products of this school.
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Ekeh, an alumnus of the school, said he was inspired by the desire to turn graduates of the college into 21st Century globally-certified whizzes who can effectively compete with their mates from all over the world.
He is hopeful that the centre shall fulfill its essence which is to produce Nigeria’s tech driven billionaires who can defend their wealth and alter the destinies of millions of other Nigerians
He reflects on what was and what might be: “Few of us who are wealth creators in Nigeria are miracle kids because during our time we technically lacked everything, but God helped us to emerge as wealth creators. It is my wish that this centre shall create a tech culture for our kids and that the training on AI and certified contents which we have signed with different globally rated consultants shall make the centre a standout tech hub.
“This centre shall earn the status of Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, Starlink certification centre very soon and a model to other colleges in South eastern part of Nigeria and by extension the entire nation. We are hiring a Director for the Tech Centre and few other staff to complement its leadership. We have structured trainings on finishing school, ethics, etc., including retraining the teachers on modern skills of teaching, transparent communication, and digital psychology in dealing with today’s smart kids.
“My family and I through the Foundation and companies under the Zinox group have done similar projects including entrepreneurial centres in over 123 primary, eecondary, and tertiary institutions across Nigeria, quietly, since 1996 and when we are done with few committed projects in the next 12 months, we shall now concentrate on our 1000 tech university scholarships project. It is our way of giving back to the society and appreciating those who supported and are still supporting our companies while providing world-class tech human capital that shall drive their growth and defend the nation in future. I also hope other Nigerians can do same in educational institutions around them or their alma mater. We must consciously upgrade Nigeria by investing in tech and the youths.”
The Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Rev. Lucius Ugorji, assisted by Mr. Cosmas Ibe, an old boy of the college, cut the tape to inaugurate the centre. The Archbishop thanked Ekeh for the “Godly and noble gesture,” which he emphasized was “borne out of love and not for political gain.” The Archbishop did not stop at cutting the tape. He walked right into the hall to use one of the systems to the admiration of the huge crowd of priests, teachers, parents, old boys of the college and other guests. Ekeh promised more than the AI-tech centre. He promised to build a smart dormitory for A-grade students of the college.
Former UK Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, once said: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Ekeh has made not just a life but a future for students of the college and other users of the tech centre.
There is joy in giving. There is more joy when the recipient is your alma mater. And I ask you: what have you given to your alma mater? To the secondary school that shaped you and prepared you for the challenges of adulthood. Please, consider giving to your alma mater, as an individual or as a group. It’s a legacy so noble.
