The thanksgiving gathering was held at Ekeh’s residence and was organised by his wife and children, with opening prayer led by Reverend Father Francis Ike of the Church of Assumption, Falomo, Ikoyi. Obasanjo attended with his wife.

Speaking at the event, Obasanjo described Ekeh as “an achiever and a very kind man who deserves to be celebrated.” He said Ekeh was among those who took advantage of opportunities created during his administration between 1999 and 2007.

According to him, it is one thing to create opportunities and another to identify and use them. He said Ekeh was one of the people whose success made it possible for others to credit his government with encouraging investment and wealth creation.

Obasanjo said he was proud of Ekeh’s achievements and urged Nigerians to continue seeking opportunities despite economic challenges. He added jokingly that Ekeh would celebrate 80, 90 and 100 years, drawing laughter from guests.

Also present at the event was veteran journalist and Vanguard publisher Sam Amuka. Former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola attended with his wife.

Other dignitaries included former INEC Chairman Professor Maurice Iwu; Chairman of MTN, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe; Founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Atedo Peterside; Chairman of Fidelity Bank, Mrs. Amaka Onwughalu; Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe; and Chairman of Seplat Energy, Mr. Udoma Udo-Udoma.

Secondary school classmates of Ekeh, including entertainer Charles Oputa, were also in attendance. Ekeh’s elder brother, HRM Eze George Ekeh, traditional ruler of Ishi Ubomiri Autonomous Community in Imo State, performed traditional rites welcoming him into the community’s elders’ circle.

In his remarks, Ekeh thanked Obasanjo for his support over the years and described him as a leader who created room for entrepreneurs to grow. He said he attributed his success to faith, discipline and trust.

Ekeh recalled starting his career as a mass servant and chorister. He said he chose early in life not to drink alcohol or smoke and has kept to that decision. He also spoke about starting his technology business with his school fees at a time when the sector was still developing in his home state.

He said trust and integrity had guided his business decisions and helped him build credibility with partners and institutions.

Ekeh also acknowledged the support of his wife, describing her as a key pillar in his personal and professional life.

He pledged to continue in that stride of making Nigeria a more digitised country, and provide enablement for the youths to prosper through enhanced and pervasive digital platforms, if he becomes the president in 2023.

As a head of the economy, Atiku supervised the liberalization and deregulation process that saw to the emergence of the GSM and digital revolutions.

Atiku spoke through Mr. Uyi Giwa- Osagie, who represented him at the launch of a book titled: Nigeria Drivers of Digital Prosperity, where he received an award as Nigeria Digital Prosperity Enabler for championing the liberalization of the Telecom Sector.

Apart from forestalling efforts by some in government to scuttle the GSM license on the day it held, Atuku noted how “in February 2002, I inaugurated a 22-member Telecommunications Sector Reform implementation committee, aimed at increasing access to phone services for Nigerians, primarily through the GSM, and further facilitated all necessary licensing for the GSM to come into effect in Nigeria”.

Heaping praises on the Author of the Book, Aaron Ukodie, Nigeria’s pioneer ICT journalist, saying that “this very important book… truly resonates with me… particularly thankful to the author of this book… who has taken the initiative to document the historic journey of Nigeria’s ICT and Telecommunications prosperity and how this has inspired our achievements in this sector till date”.

Atiku said the introduction of the GSM revolution made possible by Digital Mobile Licensing, has reshaped the economic and social wellbeing of Nigerians and Nigeria as a country.

Atiku expressed gratitude for being honoured and acknowledged through this book as one of the pioneers of and contributors to Nigeria’s digital transformation within the ICT sector, in addition to the efforts of the Nigerian Communications Commission.

He said he is immensely proud to be associated with something so significant in Nigeria’s history, saying  some of the insights of the book, accurately tells the true story of the digitization journey applauding the writer in “the delivery of this piece, which boldly encapsulates his mastery and experience as a journalist for decades”. 

He said the milestones of the ICT are a testament of his commitment and the visionary leadership of the government that he served in as the Vice President of Nigeria, “|wherein I was in charge of the country’s economic management team. 

While commending the significant role played by several actors, some who were at the launch, Atiku said he would support the country and the young people of Nigeria, on its digitization agenda, as “this forms a core part of my campaign promise and delivery to the Nation, in my current quest to be the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, come May 29, 2023”.

Apart from Atiku, others who received awards include, Dr Ernest Ndukwe, the former Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC during whose tenure the foundations for the digital prosperity were laid and prospered at the NCC.

He got the award of Champion of Nigeria’s Digital Transformation and Prosperity.

The current EVC, Professor Umar Danbatta received the Icon of Nigeria’s Digital Prosperity award.

Others who received award include Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, Secretary of Akwa Ibom Government and former President of ATCON who got the award of Order of Excellence for Impact on Nigeria’s Digital Prosperity.

MTN Nigeria, 9Mobile, MainOne, Mr Tim Akano, Ms Funke Opeke, Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of ALTON, Sir Demola Aladekomo, Lanre Ajayi,  Mohammed Rudman, President of NIRA were some of those who received awards at the event for the roles in the Digital Prosperity journey and for their support for the eWorld Forums.