Interview Conducted by Kylie Goodell – 11/18/2010
Who is Obinna Ekezie? I was born in Nigeria on August 25th 1975. After my secondary school studies, I moved to the United States to continue my education and play high school basketball at Worcester Academy in Massachusetts for two years (1993-1995). I earned a full athletic scholarship to attend college and play basketball at the University of Maryland from 1995-1999. I represented Nigeria at the World Championships of Basketball in Athens Greece in 1998. I became a professional basketball player in 1999 when the Vancouver Grizzlies drafted me into the National Basketball Association (NBA). I went on to play for several teams in the NBA and in Europe.
What have you been up to since your time at the University of Maryland and the IBM Total Quality Management Program (now QUEST)?
I am now the President/ Co-founder of Wakanow.com, an African online travel portal with its primary market in Nigeria.
How has QUEST helped you in your career?
I apply what I learned about quality tools and project management to my business regularly.
What do you consider to be your top achievement?
Founding Wakanow.com.
What do you hope to achieve in the future?
I’d like Wakanow.com to become the biggest online travel agency in Africa.
If you could go back to being an undergraduate student and do one thing differently, what would it be?
I would have studied business or a degree program that I would have been able to finish in four years. Majoring in mechanical engineering, I was not able to complete my degree as I was drafted to the NBA after my fourth year and still had some courses to take.
What advice would you give to current QUEST students?
Work hard and follow your heart.