By Charles Mgbolu
Intel corporation, leading world manufacturers of IT processors has applauded Zinox computers as Africa’s success story especially for it’s outstanding contributions to ICT education in Nigeria.

In a news letter made available to cyberLIFE, Intel recounted that in the last two years, Zinox have relentlessly engaged in educational ICT projects and successfully deployed Intel powered classmate PC projects to 210 secondary schools in the country which included wireless internet connectivity and training of teachers as ICT champions.

“In the beneficiary schools on Zinox e-learning platform, over one million e-books are being constituted.” The newsletter says

Today, the newsletter says, these schools are model schools and the project is being regarded as a systemic approach to 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. Zinox, therefore had deployed over 80% of all Intel-powered classmate PC projects in Nigeria.

Already, Zinox had in the last 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.

When contacted on phone on the development the 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.

The Intel Country Manager 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 the GMD of the Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, 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.