Mr. Lucky Uduikhue, managing director and chief executive officer, Data-Point Microsystems Limited, was at the weekend honoured by Rotary Club of FESTAC Central, District 9110, Lagos, in appreciation of his honest dedication for outstanding, professionalism in the field of information technology (IT), excellence love for charity and the courtesies extended to the Rotary Club.

Similarly, Uduikhue garnered the Nigerian Entrepreneurship of the year 2013 award, alongside Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Goodie Ibru, Arik air, UBA, Globacom and other reputable Nigerians during Nigerian Business Awards held also In Lagos at the weekend.

At the Rotary Club of FESTAC Central, Rotarian Modupe Ogunsanya, who was installed the 2nd president of the Club, presented the award to Uduikhue.

To Magistrate Wilberforce Meigbope, a Legal and Educational Consultant, Uduikhue has distinguished himself, working hard to better the worth of young people in the society.

“I thank God he got this award. We have known each other since 1992. His character is unassuming. He listens to advice, humble; and being the chairman, Board of Trustee of his companies, I would regard him as my first child. He has worked very hard these years to improve on the lives of young people around him. I am happy that Rotary Club of FESTAC Central recognized this virtue in him,” he said.

Speaking on the awardee, Rotarian Ogunsanya, said that as a successful entrepreneur, Lucky is well known as visionary, a technocrat, an innovative entrepreneur, a seasoned systems engineer, a professionally qualified ICT security consultant, and a distinguished industrialist.

“He is a successful business man; which he started at the age of 24 while studying at the University of Lagos, and has been running it for over thirteen years now.  Lucky is an accomplished Philanthropist, and a successful Corporate Management Executive with more than Thirteen (13) years of experience in the ICT industry. He is a devoted Christian, God fearing, hardworking and honest. The award is in recognition of his selfless service to humanity which Rotary stands for,” The Club President said.

Lucky, is also the director of Studies, Data point ICT Institute; Founder and president of Nigerian Youth Initiative for Better World International; Executive Director Expert Edge Academy Ltd; Executive Director, First Sports Entertainment Ltd and the Publisher Contact Business Magazine.

In addition to his corporate social responsibilities (CSR), Lucky is the CEO of Global Network Africa (Gnet) in partnership with the Nigeria Youth for a Better World International (NIYOW International) based in Lagos, to provide professional supports to Nigerian Youths in area of ICT Entrepreneurship development.

Lucky Education qualifications are: Bachelors of Science degree in Computer Science from University of Lagos, Master of Science in Information Security.

Professionally, he is a Certified Ethical Hacking (CEH), Certified Information Security Analyst (ECSA), Certified Cyber Hacking/Forensic Investigator (CHFI), License Penetration Tester (LPT) from EC Council University India and Certificate in Enterprise Development from Lagos Business School (Pan African University) and Certificate in Entrepreneurship from Fate Foundation.

Active Professional Membership of the Computer Society of Nigeria (MCSN); Member Chartered Nigeria Institute of Management (CNIM); Member, Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME); Member, Fate Foundation; Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship (FGME); African CEO Council (ACC) and Member, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC).

He is the President and Founder, Nigeria Youth Initiative for Better World International; Information Security Experts; Member, Nigeria Computer Professional Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN); member of the Association of Esan Professionals of Nigeria and Member, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

In his acceptance speech, Lucky traced the genesis to the setting up of Data-Point Computer Training Institute in year 2000, while an undergraduate of Computer Science at University of Lagos.

He said: “Having seen what Nigerian graduates suffer to get jobs, I was determined to nurture the business, hoping to earn a living with it, after graduation. The business really assisted me in reaching my educational demands and other needs. Meanwhile, it was the knowledge I had as an undergraduate that I put into practice then, and it helped me to a larger extent.

“After my youth service in 2005, I did not look for any paid job, because I was convinced that with the knowledge I had, I can do it myself. Though, it was not easy, but I persisted, till I got to my present stage.

The journey to my success today started with my admission into the University of Lagos to study Computer Science. My computer training centre is not only born out of my quest for professionalism and stimulation of empirical thought. It is also a product of great effort inspired by the long absence of opportunities for the youths within the environment I found myself, to have knowledge of computer, for a total development in competing with their counterparts in other areas.

So, when I observed that about 65-75 percent of youths in areas like Apapa, Ikeja, Victoria Island and Surulere were acquiring knowledge in one computer centre or the other, as against 5 -10 percent of youths in Ajegunle, OlodiApapa, Kirikiri, Amukoko, Ijora- Badia, Orile and their environs who, were in Computer School, I was challenged to establish Data-Point Computer, in order to correct the imbalance.

Today, the difference is clear, as my five computer training outfits have trained thousands of youths and afforded job opportunities to graduates. More than 40 workers are under my payroll. Not only that, I am grateful to God that he provided means for me to survive, without waiting for a paid job.

“This is one honour that everybody would wish to have, because anything that is humanitarian brings joy. I am happy that I am one of those recognized today. Same time, I regard it as a call for more humanitarian gestures and a challenge that I must not relent in interest to see that people around me get improved life.

“I will also use this opportunity to encourage others such as philanthropists, politicians, academics, economists, in fact, everybody to add value to others’ lives. Of course, if the public can recognize and appreciate your works, how much more God, so we are encouraged to help others around us”.

Aside Uduikhue’s contributions in the computer literacy of the youths, his keen interest in sports made him to invest in the sports newspaper of national standard called Contact Sports. The newspaper is presently making waves in proper dissemination of sports news and information.