Buhari impressed with Mark Zuckerberg’s simplicity

Mark Zuckerberg (right) and President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, expressed admiration at the simplicity displayed by Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder of Facebook and the Chief Executive Officer, during his visit to Lagos.

Buhari while receiving the technology guru at the Presidential Villa in Abuja marveled at the simplicity with which Zuckerberg, one of the world’s richest men, shared knowledge with those with less income.

A statement issued by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said Buhari commended Zuckerberg for sharing his wealth of knowledge with Nigerian youths, and inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs.

“I am impressed by your simplicity in sharing your knowledge and wealth with those with less income,’’ Buhari said, adding that his lifestyle had also challenged the culture of lavish wealth display and impulsive spending that had become peculiar to Nigerians.

“In our culture, we are not used to seeing successful people appear like you. We are not used to seeing successful people jogging and sweating on the streets.

“We are more used to seeing successful people in air-conditioned places. We are happy you are well-off and simple enough to always share,’’ he added.

President Buhari said the various meetings held with Nigerian youths since his arrival were most timely as the country was already exploring opportunities to spur development through entrepreneurship.

“Nigeria has always been identified as a country with great potentials for growth, especially with our youthful population, but now we are moving beyond the potentials to reality.

In his remarks, Zuckerberg said he was impressed by the interest, energy and entrepreneurial spirit displayed by young Nigerians in all the ICT camps that he had visited.

“I was highly impressed by the talent of the youths in the Co-creation Hub in Yaba. I was blown away by their talent and the level of energy that I saw,’’ he said.

Zuckerberg said he was in the country to promote the penetration of, “fast and cheap” internet connectivity, Express-wifi, that would help people create online businesses and reduce poverty.