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JABU Pro Chancellor Commends Aladekomo, Chams
Professor Anthony Imevbore, emeritus professor and Pro-Chancellor of Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), has said Demola Aladekomo, group managing director, Chams Plc, and Chams Group still have more to contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth notwithstanding close to three decades of eminent service to the nation.
Professor Imevbore called on JABU students and the Nigerian youth at large to emulate the inspiring lives of Aladekomo and other successful Nigerian entrepreneurs who have contributed and are contributing immensely to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy.
JABU is Nigeria’s first ICT-driven entrepreneurial university which seeks to equip students with entrepreneurial skills irrespective of their basic academic pursuits, in order to make them self-sufficient, self-reliant, competent, and efficient employers of labour and adding value to our national economy.
The Pro-Chancellor made this call during the 2nd Oladele Olashore Memorial Lecture at JABU in Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State at the weekend.
He said, “We are indeed blessed to have Mr Demola Aladekomo, a seasoned entrepreneur on the podium sharing his entrepreneurial journey and success tips with us as the keynote speaker at the 2nd Oladele Olashore Memorial Lecture. From the deep education given to us on entrepreneurship today which is in alignment with the JABU vision, there is no reason why some of you here should start writing job applications after graduation.
“You have been given all the tips, all you need to be a successful entrepreneur just like the Late Oba Oladele Olashore and Mr Aladekomo, our guest speaker. Nothing compares to learning from an individual who discusses a topic of interest from life experience. The guest speaker is a resourceful Nigerian who has contributed immensely to the national economy and still has a lot more to contribute to the growth of this country,” Professor Imevbore said.
Delivering his keynote address entitled “The Entrepreneur as a Nation Builder”, Aladekomo lauded the commitment of the vision bearers of Joseph Ayo Babalola University to equipping undergraduate students with entrepreneurial skills irrespective of their basic academic pursuits.
He said, “It is indeed delightful that Joseph Ayo Babalola University is striving to produce a new generation of youths that are self-sufficient, self-reliant, and competent. Youthful entrepreneurs drive the economy of the United States.
America’s 25.8 million small businesses employ more than 50 percent of the private workforce, generating more than half of its national gross domestic product. Nigerian youths must imbibe same culture of entrepreneurship and stop differentiating between opportunities in the formal and informal, believing the latter is for illiterates. Without an upsurge in youth enterprise, our national economy cannot attain its true potential.”
The Group Managing Director of Chams Plc added that “It is ironic that we have lots of unemployed graduates when there are lots of societal needs that are not being met in the Nigerian market.
“Could it be lack of ideas or the false belief that entrepreneurs are born and not made that keep our youths searching for elusive jobs when the export market for cassava is grossly underserved? The scenario is the same across thriving sub-sectors of the national economy with an increasingly ageing workforce in which opportunities abound for energetic youth and new ideas.
“Entrepreneurs are created through education, experience and mentorship. They were not born with entrepreneurial insight, ability and skills which make them exceptional.
“With the right skills and attitude, any Nigerian youth with ambition and ideas can go far because of the existing limitless opportunities in the market. Nigeria represents an exceptional and extremely exciting opportunity for young and smart entrepreneurs with guts.”
On his part, Professor Sola Fajana, Vice Chancellor, Joseph Ayo Babalola University said “the guest speaker, Mr Aladekomo has treated us to a life inspiring lecture which is more beneficial to the largely youthful audience in attendance. We are going home with message that wherever there is a need, there is need for enterprise; and by satisfying the need, your create value which includes employment and wealth. We are delighted to have Mr Aladekomo here to encourage our community of youths to make a difference just like the late Oba Oladele Olashore whose memory is being honoured today.”
For a business to remain strong and relevant, experts have urged entrepreneurs to engage in solving problems in the Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) space and build strong partnerships.
The experts stated at the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Business Series with the theme, “Stronger Together: Building Powerful Business Partnerships for Progress.”
Four seasoned business owners including: Beauty Entrepreneur, Dabota Lawson; Real Estate Mogul and Entrepreneur, Wale Ayilara; Journalist and TV producer Peace Hyde and Fashion Entrepreneur, Mai Atafo, encouraged participants to solve problems, invent in products & service and, create value to remain stronger in business and thrive amid competitive business environment.
Ayilara expressed that an entrepreneur must be able to solve problems and build a strong partnership in order to remain relevant in a challenging business environment.
He stressed further that there are a lot of business opportunities in Nigeria and questioned where consumers money is directed into.
Lawson said the inability to find a suitable sensitive skincare that matches her skin tone forced her to start her company.
On her part, Hyde stated that she ventures into media on the backdrop of telling Africa’s stories to international audiences.
Atafo said passion made him venture into fashion, maintaining that being an entrepreneur in Nigeria is tough work.
Speaking earlier, UBA’s Group Head, Retail and Digital Banking, Shamsideen Fashola, highlighted the critical role of partnerships in today’s dynamic business environment.
“In an increasingly interconnected world, the power of collaboration cannot be overstated. At UBA, we recognise that collaboration is the cornerstone of sustainable business success.
“The ‘Stronger Together’ Business Series is designed to inspire entrepreneurs and corporate leaders to forge meaningful alliances that drive progress, unlock opportunities, and contribute to Africa’s economic transformation,” Shamsideen said.
Nigeria’s leading commercial bank, First Bank of Nigeria, has joined forces with Mighty Media Plus Network Limited for the maiden edition of the QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit.
Also supporting the event are Nigeria LNG (NLNG) and Shell Nigeria, two major players in the country’s energy and development sectors.
Chief Executive Officer of Mighty Media Plus Network Limited, Olumide Iyanda, announced the partnerships in a statement on Monday.
Mr Iyanda described FirstBank’s involvement as a strong statement of the bank’s belief in the power of Nigeria’s creative sector.
“FirstBank’s support is a reaffirmation of its long-standing commitment to promoting the creative economy,” he said. “Through First@arts, the bank has become a reliable partner to talents, institutions, and organisations working to grow Nigeria’s cultural assets.”
First@arts is FirstBank’s platform for supporting the arts. It provides financing, advisory services, and exposure for creatives across the value chain. The bank has backed major cultural events and partnered with institutions such as British Council, Duke of Shomolu Productions, Live Theatre Lagos, Freedom Park and Terra Kulture.
Among the projects FirstBank has supported are The Headies Awards, Lagos International Theatre Festival, The Oxymoron of Kenny Blaq, Kurunmi, Eni Ogun, and Oke Langbodo.
Iyanda also praised NLNG for its role in promoting excellence in literature and science through The Nigeria Prize for Literature, The Nigeria Prize for Science, and The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism.
“NLNG has shown leadership by rewarding creativity and innovation in ways that impact both the literary and scientific communities,” he said.
The prizes, worth up to USD100,000, are among the most prestigious on the continent. They celebrate Nigerian authors, critics, and scientists whose work makes a real difference.
Shell’s support for the summit reflects its ongoing commitment to education and social development. The company focuses on sustainable, community-driven educational projects, ranging from scholarships to infrastructure development and ICT donations.
“Shell’s belief in education as a foundation for long-term progress aligns with our vision for the summit,” Iyanda added.
He further noted that more sponsors will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
The QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit, themed “Financing as Catalyst for a Thriving Creative Economy,” will take place on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. The venue is the prestigious Radisson Blu Hotel, Isaac John Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
The summit will bring together creatives, investors, policymakers, and business leaders to explore solutions to the funding challenges facing Nigeria’s creative industries.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has strongly denied allegations of lack of integrity and transparency directed at its chairman, Ola Olukoyede, by columnist Steve Osuji.
In a statement issued by Dele Oyewale, spokesperson, EFCC. the commission described the claims as “worrisome and unjustifiable,” particularly criticizing the personal attacks on Olukoyede.
“More worrisome was his attack on Olukoyede for no justifiable reason. Allegations of lack of transparency, accountability and integrity deficit are wild and clearly off the mark,” Oyewale said.
He questioned the basis for the allegations and defended Olukoyede’s leadership since taking office.
“The question is: in what way has Olukoyede fallen short? Is it by insisting that the right things should always be done? By moving the nation’s anti-graft war forward radically and unprecedentedly?
“By bringing forth a preventive framework to tackle corruption and reaping bountiful gains for the nation?
“By recovering the globally-acclaimed 753 duplexes and other apartments, which are proceeds of fraudulent dealings for the nation?
“By launching the EFCC into a global map of accomplished anti-graft agencies? By handling 50,000 case files in one year?
“By embarking on a courageous internal cleansing system and other progressive initiatives to deepen and strengthen the anti-corruption fight?
“It is cowardly and uncharitable for any columnist to hide under vague and opaque cover to splash mud on Ola Olukoyede, arguably one of the finest breed of anti-graft czars around the world.”
Olukoyede, through the statement, reaffirmed that the EFCC has consistently submitted its annual reports to the National Assembly as required by law.
“Equally preposterous are claims of re-looting of assets by officers of the Commission. For the purpose of clarification, the Commission does not recover monetary assets into its covers and the non-monetary assets that are recovered are disposed of following clear pronouncements by court and proceeds paid into the Confiscated and Forfeited Properties Account account in the Central Bank in line with provisions of the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022.
“The EFCC does not operate in secrecy. All its operations are regularly communicated to the public, including public auction of assets. To deliberately cast the Commission in the mould of fraudulent engagements or criminality is not only mischievous but also untenable,” the statement concluded.
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