On Friday, 22nd April, 2016, several brilliant Nigerian minds and alumni of the University of Bradford, School of Management, gathered at the Jade palace, Adeola Odeku, Victoria Island, Lagos for the Alumni Association Annual Lecture Event which turned out to be a evening of fun, friendly re-unions, networking and laughter.



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The Alumni President, Henry Ikem Obih in his opening speech which was delivered by the
Vice-President, Sola Olubadejo, expressed how for 50 years the University of
Bradford’s School of Management, has drawn young men and women from all over
the world including Nigeria and has sent forth alumni who carry the School of
Management’s dynamic and entrepreneurial spirit with them as they pursue their
lives and careers to all parts of the world.


This year, the theme centred on
‘Entrepreneurship’ and in attendance were two wonderful speakers who delivered
excellent lectures on the topic especially as it revolved around doing business
in Nigeria. The first speaker,
Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, CEO POISE Graduate Finishing School and also a
proud alumni of the School of Management delivered a paper on “
Impression
Management and Networking” while the keynote speech was delivered by
Mrs.
Ndidi Nwuneli MFR.

Mrs. Ndidi, one of the
biggest social impact accelerators in Nigeria,
founder of LEAP Africa,  
Ndu Ike Akunuba (NIA), co-founder of AACE Food Processing &
Distribution Ltd. (AACE Foods), and one of the directors of Sahel Capital &
Advisory Partners, an advisory and private equity firm in Nigeria, which
focuses on the agribusiness and manufacturing sectors delivered her paper on
“Consume
Local” – How to tap in as an Entrepreneur”.

Mrs. Ndidi brought to the
fore her passion for the Agriculture sector in Nigeria and shared the immense
opportunities available to would be participators in the agric business. Mrs.
Ndidi also shared her experience with AACE Foods and the challenges the company
had to overcome while executing their business strategies.

Nigeria remains a viable
source for many raw materials to the international market and our exports will
boom if entrepreneurs focused on  the
agriculture business in Nigeria.

Both presentations were
brilliant and indeed impactful. In attendance, also were other alumni from the
School of Management who represented across board, many professionals from
various industries such as the Oil and Gas, Telecoms, Legal and Banking
industries. The Bradford School of Management has indeed groomed many Nigerian
professionals who are contributing immensely to the Nigerian economy and
society at large.

The event will be hosted yearly with the aim of
exploring and making available resources that can help alumni whether old or
new develop and contribute to the community and the University of Bradford. Also
to provide an
unequalled opportunity to network, see old friends, meet new ones,
learn about the alumni’s recent advances, and participate in discussions about
some of the most important issues facing our Nation.
Adedunmade Onibokun, Esq.
Bradford School of
Management Alumni (2014)