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Chairman of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, has urged young business owners and startups in Africa to demonstrate a high level of integrity and diligence when executing government contracts, noting that the quality of their countries defines their future.
He made the appeal during a mentorship programme with a group of foreign-based African postgraduate students in the latest edition of a yearly lecture series, aimed at grooming the next generation of certified entrepreneurs.
Addressing the virtual session, Ekeh advised the participants to avoid bungling government contracts and enriching themselves unduly.
Underscoring ethical standards and principles as uncompromising foundations of a successful business, the Zinox boss, in a statement, yesterday, decried the disturbing tendency by young and impressionable entrepreneurs to shabbily execute or abandon public contracts.
Consequently, Ekeh, a Forbes Best of Africa Leading Tech Icon, warned that these acts could irreparably fracture the trust reposed by the government in entrusting major projects to startups or even to other established firms with proven capacities, further encouraging capital flight and diminishing giant strides recorded in local content development.
He observed: “Government is the biggest spender in any economy. Some of you, while doing business, may get a chance to execute some projects for governments, whether at sub-national or federal level. It is a call to service and an opportunity to prove the growing faith in our indigenous capacities”.
‘’Having the opportunity to execute a government contract must, therefore, be seen as a privilege, and not as a chance to outrageously inflate figures, deliver shoddy outputs or unduly enrich yourself overnight. You must seize the opportunity to grow your social capital and open the doors for others to enjoy the confidence that has been reposed in you.”
Ekeh, who admitted that doing things rightly in some African countries sometimes attracts pains from competitors, who frivolously petition security agencies to inconvenience preferred companies, he, however, advised the trainees to stay on the path of honour and provide responses, instead of compromising quality.
Urging the budding entrepreneurs not to be deterred by the prevailing macroeconomic environment, the Zinox chair expressed optimism that the African economy would rebound.
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