Zinox, Intel and Microsoft are to empower 100,000 Nigerian students this season through Z-SCOP, Zinox Student' Computer Ownership Project, a robust initiative aimed at promoting the use of computers by our students (from primary to postgraduate level, including graduates serving their NYSC). Z-SCOP would enhance knowledge acquisition at all levels, thereby, producing world-class graduates. This new breed of re-cultured graduates shall be digitally skilled, enough, to help drive Nigeria as a strong knowledge economy.
This revelation was made at the launch of Z-SCOP by Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of Zinox Computers, who said that Z-SCOP was targeting in the first phase at least 100,000 students in Nigerian institutions of learning who will acquire either Laptops or Desktops at highly discounted prices and zero interest rate with full warranty. In his speech at the event, Leo Stan Ekeh explained that the first phase shall achieve 100,000 digitally tooled students who will benchmark a digital culture across the nation. The Chairman reported that Intel, Microsoft and Zinox were expecting a multiplier effect in the short run that shall lead to 500,000 students owning laptops and desktops in the first year. He informed the launch audience that, subsequently, as many as 1 million Nigerian students could be computerized yearly.
The Chairman, Zinox Computers, declared that the momentum for the Z-SCOP was gained from the current promotion of Computer acquisition amongst staff of our educational institutions through the installment payment scheme. He also said that there are a number of MOUs that support this vision including the FGN/NUC/CNP, the Afrihub-Zinox, the Galaxy, and the ICT implementation MOUs for Federal educational institutions. Leo Stan Ekeh reminded the audience that overtime Zinox Computers has come to be known for the relentless quest to demystify the computer through the production of rugged but cost effective systems. He said that the Zinox Students' Computer Ownership Project shares the same social brand capital by offering low profit driven but highly durable systems that would help change the face of the economy by producing world-class graduates who are highly skilled and camera ready for the global labor market.
The Zinox Boss further explained that students can take advantage of this superb offer in three categories - In the first category students who pay upfront into our dedicated bank accounts across the nation or through their respective school authorities. Qualified students will enjoy a 10% discount from our current prices for laptops and a 7% discount on desktops. Zinox shall charge N2500 for deliveries outside Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. In the second category, those student who are unable to pay in full, but can pay at least 10% to confirm the order will enjoy a 3% discount on our current prices and enjoy zero interest rate for the six months they are allowed to pay the balance. All we require from their parents are postdated cheques.
The third category is for those who want to pay in twelve equal installments after a payment of 20% deposit with confirmed order. Qualified students under this scheme shall not pay any interest. All we require from their parents are postdated cheques. Payment can be made in any branch of the three banks partnering with Zinox.
In his contribution the General Manager for Intel Sub Sahara & Middle East Mr. Jacques, described the Z-SCOP as a unique product in the sense that it permits well meaning Nigerians, corporate and individual to intervene by subsidizing or paying in full for a student or group of students. He said that Intel was pleased to be part of the project because of the acclaimed capacity of Zinox Computers. Mr.Jacques said that Zinox Computers has the national network and the manpower resources to deliver on this project as she has done with similar projects in the past.
Speaking earlier the Managing Director of Microsoft Mr. Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu said the Z-SCOP was could not have come at a better time. Mr. Mba- Uzoukwu said that it was now standard for students to own computers. He said that the ownership of a PC guarantees that a student would leave school competitive and skilled to conquer the world. The Microsoft Managing Director urged parents to take advantage of the generous discounts and flexible payment plans that are offered in the Z-SCOP package while affirming the Microsoft endorsement of Zinox as a world-class company.
Giving a vote of thanks at the event, the President of the National Association of Computer Science Students, Mr. Bayo Mohammed, thanked Zinox, Microsoft and Intel for this wonderful intervention. He said that he was not surprised that this initiative was coming from industry leaders. Mr. Bayo Mohammed said that the Nigerian students have been expecting a programme like Z-SCOP for long. In his words "Z-SCOP is like a dream come true. We would fully tale advantage of it".
