By Augustine Ekamagule
The Dein of Agbor,His Royal Majesty Dr. Benjamin Ikenchuku Keagborekuzi I was among distinguished Nigerians that were honoured yesterday, Wednesday, March 14th 2018, by the management of Ife Business School, Ile-Ife, during the 10th anniversary of the institution.
Other honourees are the Executive Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, former Governor of Cross River State, Dr Donald Duke, the Vice-Chancellor,University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof Benjamin Ozumba and Elder Gabriel Gbenga Olowo.
The revered Agbor Monarch was the Royal Father of the day. The event which took place at Ife Grand Resorts and Leisure, Ile-Ife had in attendance eminent Nigerians,including the representative of the Governor of the State of Osun and the Deputy Governor of the State, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titilayo Laoye Tomori.
The Ooni of Ife was represented by the Owa Jero of Ijero Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole, JP, OFR.
In his welcome address the Rector/Chairman,Ife Business School, Prince ( Dr) Makinwa Adereti said that IBS was established in 2008 with the aim of nurturing individuals who are professionally competent, creative and enterprising. He noted that IBS is also out to promote world class executive education through the delivery of cutting edge management, business education and skills that will enhance business performance, competition and productivity, regionally, nationally and internationally.
He congratulated the honourees who according to him have contributed immensely in different ways towards the growth and development of Nigeria, urging them to remain good partners of IBS.
He specially thanked IBS Grand Patron and the Ooni of Ife, HRM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Dein of Agbor, HRM (Dr) Benjamin Ikenchuku Keagborekuzi I, Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Donald Duke, among other honourees for their huge support for IBS.
The Dein, in his remark first praised the fact that Osun had a female Deputy Governor, thanking God for the life of our mothers, sisters and daughters,stressing the importance of respecting our women within our society and seeking more of their participation in governance. His Majesty Keagborekuzi I equally thanked the management of IBS for the honour. He used the medium to commend the Ooni of Ife for the continuity and love in his palace, adding, “we should take the issue of continuity in governance very seriously. Nigerian politicians should learn from the current Ooni of Ife who retained all the staff of the former Ooni, HRM Oba Sijuade. He advised Nigerians to learn how to respect, tolerate, love and understand one another, pointing out that,” whether you are in PDP or APC, you are from the North or South we should shun hatred, jealousy, hate speeches and live as brothers and sisters. Nigeria is a great nation, for it to be greater we should imbibe the spirit of love, tolerance and understanding.
Earlier, the Guest Lecturer, Dr Donald Duke while speaking on a lecture titled: Driving Nigeria’s Economic Growth Through Entrepreneurship, said that until Nigeria develops the will and strategy it will not be able to succeed economically regardless of its policies and programmes. He noted that the poverty level in the country is not encouraging savings, hence, in order to strengthen the economy, import substitution and encouragement of local manufacturers is very vital.
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