Nigerian "Bill Gates" stresses education

As reported by Jannell McGrew for the Sunday October 11, 1999 issue of the Montgomery Advertiser.

Philip Emeagwali of Nigeria, known by many as the "Bill Gates of Africa," outlined his native country's economic advantages Saturday at Alabama State University. More than 100 spectators, ignoring a steady drizzle, attended a cultural gala and symposium at the school.

Sponsored by the Association of Nigerians-Montgomery, the event was highlighted by Emeagwali's speech. A computer scientist, Emeagwali is often compared by his countrymen to Gates --- the American billionaire.

Emeagwali discussed Nigeria's economy and emphasized that more of the nation's funds should be spent on education.

"Education is the only way to escape poverty," said Emeagwali. "According to the (U.S. Census), Nigerians are the most educated ethnic group in the United States."

Emeagwali said that 96 percent of Nigerians in the United States have high school diplomas and 64 percent of them have one or more college degrees.

He said science is the wave of the future and the key to increased development in his native country. He also said Africa is giving developmental assistance to the United States and Europe when it should be "taking care of home."

Besides medical doctors, we need professionals with other skills," he said. "It makes more sense for us to invest in science education and not rely on the assistance of other countries."

Emeagwali won America's most influential prize for computing skills --- the Gordon Bell Prize --- for writing a formula enabling a computer to make billions of calculations per second.

His formula helped American oil interests to tap into huge reserves of underground oil and contributed billions to the government's oil exploration programs.

Emeagwali has received degrees in five fields, and his wealth has enabled him to bring 18 relatives to America from Nigeria.

He said his country continues to struggle with keeping Nigerian experts at home, but it is a challenge because many realize they can make more money abroad --- particularly in the United States.

"We need to have profiles of Nigerians outside the country and give them adequate compensation to keep them in the country," he said. "They have the skills we need to develop the continent."

Montgomery activist Gwendolyn Patton agreed that Nigeria should invest in its own future, saying the African country has been in turmoil for the last 35 years.

As a result, Patton said, "Nigeria tends to be a very closed country."

Patton, known for her involvement in the civil rights movement, is a director of the National Political Congress of Black Women. She was recently appointed historian for the Alabama New SOuth Coalition.

"I'm hopeful that democracy will take hold in Nigeria," she said. "I'm hopeful that Nigeria one day would be for Nigeria and Africa will be for Africa."

POSTSCRIPT: Emeagwali's remarks were followed by a 45-minute question and answer session, a four-hour party and a three-hour informal discussions with leaders of the Nigerian community in Alabama. The event was reported by the local NBC (October 9, 1999) and CBS (Oct. 10, 1999) affilliates.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS (not published in the newspaper article):

Philip Emeagwali speaking at the annual symposium of the Associationof Nigerians, Montgomery, Alabama.

FRONT ROW: Dunni Adeyemo, Zephrinus Okonkwo, Emmanuel Oranika, John Alak, Benjamin Datiri, Philip Emeagwali, Regina Okeowo, Paul Ehrunmwunsee, Lekan Ayanwale
BACK ROW: Edward Ademuyiwa, Doyin Ogunbi, Egbuna, Adenrele Odutola, Lawrence Kromtit, and Christopher Azubuike

Mrs. Patience Oranika and her class students and Emmanuel Oranika (husband) pose with Philip Emeagwali during his visit to Martin Luther King Elementary School, Montgomery, Alabama (October 9, 1999)

Philip Emeagwali's Q&A session, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, Montgomery, Alabama (October 9, 1999).

Oranika family bid farewell to Philip Emeagwali at the Montgomery, Alabama airport (October 11, 1999).
(L-R)Patience, Kenechi, Ifeoma, Philip, Chika and Emmanuel