A 23-year-old Nigerian entrepreneur, Chris Kwekowe turned down a job
offer to work as a software engineer at Microsoft, owned by the richest
man in the world, Bill Gates, in order to begin his own start-up in
Lagos.
The Lagos State University computer science graduate proudly revealed
this to Bill Gates during a television interview for Africa’s brightest
young entrepreneurs in August 2016.
Kwekowe, who won the 2015 Anzisha Prize which came with a $25,000
cheque, said he rejected the offer to build up his own startup,
Slatecube– a website aimed at helping other young Nigerians find jobs.
"When I told him, Gates was intrigued and he smiled. After the
programme, all the directors were like, ‘Dude, you mean you actually
turned down a job at Microsoft and had the guts to tell Bill Gates?’
Kwekowe founded Slatecube with his brother Emerald, 20, in October 2014.
The pair funded their efforts by freelancing as web designers and
running a software solutions firm. He said Slatecube seeks to solve that
problem by nurturing the graduates through digital internships and so
far, Slatecube has an 80% employment rate for its users. Companies that
have used the platform, have saved over $100,000 in 2015 by hiring
skilled, ready to work employees. In a Facebook post published last
August, Chris narrated in details of his meeting with Bill Gates:
"Oh yeah, I did meet with Bill Gates in Durban, South Africa where we
had some candid discussion about everything - from his involvement with
charitable causes in the continent, to how he makes time to be a great
father for his kids. My favourite moments were watching his reaction
after I told him I turned down job offers from Microsoft and the likes
to pursue something more defining for me, and how Africa's development
depends more on sustainable investments in innovative social startups
like Slatecube that solve some of the continent's biggest problems,
rather than donating entirely to charity organisations who end up
requiring more financial injection to deal with the minutest of issues.
Anyways, we'd be working with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to
make our value proposition at Slatecube a pan-African privilege. Soon,
you'd rather be in demand across the globe, and engage in companies and
projects that make you better, and suits your career goals.
I no say make you do the same o!
Don't try this at home. Lolz!
I no say make you do the same o!
Don't try this at home. Lolz!
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