Omatek Computers, the Nigerian computer maker, has been thrown into grief following the sudden death at the weekend of its founder, Mrs Florence Omatule Seriki.
Technology Times today visited the Lagos head office of the Nigerian tech company where Nigerians from all walks of life have started trooping into Omatek to express their condolences over the death of its Founder, who until her death was also Group Managing Director and CEO.
Today, Monday, March 3, 2017, the Nigerian ICT industry was also thrown into mourning following news that Mrs Florence Seriki, the female Engineer and tech icon, who founded Nigeria’s Omatek Computers, has died.
Nwabokei, who later spoke exclusively with Technology Times says that contrary to what have been reported by the media, Mrs Seriki, his late boss, has been battling with several complications in the last few weeks arising from what was believed to be ulcer and not cancer.
Mrs Seriki who died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) has been reported to have died of cancer of the pancreas.
But that came as a shock for many that the iconic tech company CEO has been battling with cancer for sometime now ,considering her active participation in public life and service to the Nigerian tech industry.
At the Oregun, where the Omatek head office is sited, Technology Times sighted several industry stakeholders, friends and sympathizers who had come to pay condolence visit at Nigerian tech firm.
Daily operational routine at Omatek was suspended when we visited but Mr Emmanuel Nwabokei, Group Head of Corporate Services at Omatek was at the foyer to receive sympathizers who have trooped in to pay their last respect.
While addressing some of the sympathizers, Nwabokei says ”what will however be difficult to appreciate is the vacuum she has left behind. Because, she was undeniably one of the best talents to have graced the Nigerian ICT sector.”
Nwabokei, who later spoke exclusively with Technology Times says that contrary to what have been reported by the media, Mrs Seriki, his late boss, has been battling with several complications in the last few weeks arising from what was believed to be ulcer and not cancer.
According to him, her health challenge has been adequately managed by both local and international specialist, but unfortunately she gave up the ghost.
Mr Nwabokei, believes that Mrs Seriki will live long in the memories of those who were privileged to know her as a diligent professional, a public-spirited and forthright entrepreneur.
He considers her contributions to nation-building while she served as President of Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN), particularly invaluable.
When asked about the next line of action for the tech company Mr Nwabokei said ”we are still mourning the death of my boss but the Board of Directors will meet later in the week to chart the way forward”
Profile of Late Engineer Mrs Florence Omatule Seriki
Florence Seriki is founder and CEO of Omatek Ventures Plc, the Nigerian tech company she founded about 25 years ago.
She served as a Director of Omatek Ventures Plc and has been a Non-Executive Director of Vitafoam Nigeria Plc
Mrs Seriki is also recipient of one of Nigeria’s highest national honours; to wit she is a Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) in recognition of her selfless service to her motherland.
Omatek Ventures Plc consists of the following subsidiaries: Omatek Computers Limited which pioneered Completely Knocked Down (CKD) factories involved in the production of computers, notebooks, casings and speakers; Omatek Engineering Services Subsidiary which offers ERP Solutions including Information Security Management services.
Omatek Computers Limited has CKD factories in Nigeria and Ghana involved in the local production of computers, notebooks, casings and speakers from Completely Knocked Down Processes, according to the company.
Omatek Computers Limited is first to win the Microsoft Best Systems Builders Award 2005 for Central, West and East Africa in 2005
Seriki is populalry credited as Nigeria’s IT amazon and has over a 150 national and international recognition awards.
She has led Omatek in the last 25 years to become Nigeria’s only publicly quoted computer company and helped to create massive Local Youth Employment/Empowerment in the technology industry and has enabled technology transfer and increase in Local Content in the Nigerian ICT industry.
As a believer in Local Content Development in the ICT sector Mrs Seriki has led Omatek Ventures Plc to partner with other private sector players and academic institutions on Research & Development to “ensure that the benefits of new technologies, especially ICT are available to all.”
As a believer in Local Content Development in the ICT sector Mrs Seriki has led Omatek Ventures Plc to partner with other private sector players and academic institutions on Research & Development to “ensure that the benefits of new technologies, especially ICT are available to all.”
This has resulted in the establishment of Omatek Resource Centres across several universities and higher institutions to provide hands-on experience for undergraduates.
Seriki is the chairperson of the Electronic and Telecommunications group of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, and a member the Nigerian National Information Technology Advisory Committee.
She is a member of the Governing Council of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Ondo State, south west Nigeria.
Until her death she was the President of the Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN)), an industry association of over 350 Information Technology driven companies in Nigeria founded in 1991 to promote IT literacy and penetration in Nigeria
About the author
Technology Journalist at Technology Times
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