Forbes Lists Chronic Debtors as Richest Nigerians

Again, Forbes, the American business magazine may have stirred another varied assortment of controversies with its recent listing of some of Nigeria’s greatest debtors as the richest in the country.

Though Forbes ranking criteria is unclear, the list is punctuated with errors either out of ignorance or deliberate attempt to stir debate or both.

But at the risk of maligning the list, Aliko Dangote was justifiably ranked as the richest African in the world just as “Forbes “was spot on with Mike Adenuga who has hands in every profitable pie.

Also apart from the likes of Folorunsho Alakija, Nigerian oil tycoon and businesswoman; and Tony Elumelu, the serial entrepreneur and philanthropist, the list is people by reckless loose ranters and chronic debtors.

The Forbes richest list refused to acknowledge some golden fishes that have hid in the background helping to underpin the development of the country.

For the Dangotes, Adenugas and Elumelus;  their enterprises speak volumes.

The shares they hold in quoted companies; the size; and market share of their companies; the number of companies they own; and its assumed value; the market value of their companies’ brands; and the impact of their companies on the Nigerian economy are humongous.
 
But not featuring the likes of Leonard Stanley Nnamdi Ekeh generally known as Leo-Stan on the list is contemptuous.

Leo-Stan, a first rate economist, risk manager and digital entrepreneur has built an enviable business empire with his bare hands and special God’s favour.

It is assumed that “Forbes did not contemptibly rank its list in the order it appeared because Leo-Stan and his companies are arguably the only ones in the country not trading with banks’ or other peoples’ money.

He is a solid digital entrepreneur and an Icon of Hope, who has given Nigeria IT identity in the international community.

Leo-Stan is a motivational leader whose vision to “Computerize Nigeria” has reshaped the history of information Technology in the Nigeria in particular and the Third World in general.

He pioneered Desktop Publishing and Computer Graphics in Nigeria, with his first company, Task Systems Ltd in 1989.

Through Task Systems Ltd, he succeeded in computerizing 95% of the Print Media, Advertising Agencies and Publishing Houses in Nigeria! This was just the first step in a journey that would revolutionize the Nigerian Media and Multi – Media sector.

Following his success with his first company, he pioneered the distribution of ICT products in West Africa with Technology Distributions Ltd.

This company is now the No.1 ICT distribution company in Sub Saharan Africa. Under his leadership, Technology Distributions Ltd. has become one of the most recognized and decorated distribution companies in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

For years, TD has consistently won awards for outstanding performance in areas such as market penetration, revenue generation and preferred partner status.