Intel Applauds Zinox Computers

Intel Corporation, Number 1 manufacturer of processors in the world and the 5th most successful global brand, has applauded Zinox Computers as Africa’s success story, and commended the company for its intense focus and commitment to be the leading and preferred source of world-class Information Technology products and solutions in Africa. In nine years of operations, according to the latest edition of the Intel Learning Series OEM Newsletter, Zinox has relentlessly pursued its vision that Information Technology can only make the desired impact as the main driver of national development if the educational sector is fully computerized. In the process Zinox has come to be known as the prime provider of IT equipment and solutions to educational institutions in Nigeria.
The Intel Newsletter recounted that “in the last 2 years Zinox have unrelentingly engaged in educational ICT projects and successfully deployed Intel-powered classmate PC  projects to 210 secondary schools in Nigeria which included wireless internet connectivity, and training teachers as ICT champions in the beneficiary schools on Zinox’ e-learning platform consisting of over 1,000,000 e-books”. Today, the Intel Newsletter says that these schools are model schools, and that the project is regarded as a systematic approach in building a knowledge economy. In May 2010, the Federal Government of Nigeria approved that Zinox should implement Intel-powered classmate PC projects to an additional 201 secondary schools across the country. This means that Zinox has deployed over 80% of all Intel-powered classmate PC projects in Nigeria. In addition, Zinox has in the past two years deployed digital labs equipped with Intel-powered PCs/Laptops and internet to 180 tertiary institutions on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Country Manager of Intel Corporation in Nigeria, Mr. David Ibhawoh, described Zinox as a digital phenomenon representing the endless IT possibilities embedded in an entrepreneurial drive that is committed and professional. Mr. Ibhawoh said that the Zinox strategy is basically patriotic and should be judged by its relevance to the aspirations of society. He said that he is impressed that Zinox is not interested in just market shares and consumer loyalty but is pursuing a course – this time the provision of IT infrastructure in schools to motivate meaningful teaching and learning for national development.
He said that Intel is happy that Zinox is growing and not cannibalizing the IT environment as it leads the new crop of IT players in sub Saharan Africa. He reported that Zinox, Intel’s No 1 Partner in sub Saharan Africa, has won all major Intel Awards in recognition of its creative participation in the IT market. Mr. Ibawoh said that in the near future that Intel Corporation intends to use Zinox to drive consumer programs in the region; that Intel was interested in helping companies like Zinox with the right attitudes and processes to become global players.
In a related development Leo Stan Ekeh, Group managing director of the Zinox Group, FNCS, has expressed his belief in the IT industry in Nigeria. Speaking at the IT Assembly and AGM of the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, CPN, Mr Ekeh said that the Zinox commitment could be measured by the numerous pioneering efforts of the company in the sector. These include the introduction of digital knowledge tools like the Zinox card with access to over 1,000,000 books including examination revision modules for WAEC, NECO, JAMB etc; the expansion of the digital plants to increase the production of PC machines; and the sustenance of the initiative of the Computerize Nigeria Project which is empowering Nigerians with subsidized computers.  Mr. Ekeh said that governments in the West African region should do more to encourage the development of the IT market. He pledged to remain an aggressive collaborator of the CPN.