The Second Commencement Lecture of the University to usher in the 2013/2014 Academic Session will hold on Monday, February 03, 2014 at the Professor Mahmood Yakubu Lecture Theatre, beginning at 12 noon. The Commencement Lecture is designed to inspire and challenge students of the University by the exemplary life and times of achievers in their generation, to spur them to greatness.
Tagged Making Sparrows and Hammers Out of FUNAAB Students and Graduates, the lecture will be delivered this year, by Mr. Folu Ayeni, the Co-Founder/Vice-Chairman of one of the nation’s leading fast-food outlet, Tantalizers Nigeria Plc.
Mr. Ayeni holds a First Class degree in Psychology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Master of Business Administration from the McGill University, Montreal, Canada, as well as the Fellowship of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN).
His company, Tantalizers Plc, which has over 55 outlets across Nigeria with over N5 billion turnover, is recognized as a leader in the fast-food industry, having pioneered a range of innovations, including the introduction of Nigerian cuisines into the fast-food business.
He had served in several leadership capacities such as the Brand Manager and Product Group Manager, Lever Brothers Nigeria Limited and in the Ivory Tower as Vice-Chairman, Governing Board, University of Ibadan Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Other relevant appointments include: Member, Governing Board, University of Lagos Centre for Entrepreneurship and Good Governance; Member, Advisory Board, University of Nigeria, Nsukka Centre for Entrepreneurship; and Member, Advisory Board, Ekiti State Economic Development Council.
Mr. Ayeni, a recipient of various awards, including the FATE Foundation’s Model Entrepreneur of the Year 2005, said he chose the topic for this year’s Commencement Lecture “in line with the Vision and Mission of FUNAAB and my own personal life outlook”.
It would be re-called that the maiden edition of the Commencement Lecture was held to usher in the last academic session, during which the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dimeji Sabur Bankole, delivered a lecture titled Mentoring and the Challenge of Leadership in Africa.