The Unicaribbean Business School celebrated its tenth anniversary and award ceremony on November 26th, 2022 at Grace Point Resort Hotel, Wuse Zone 6 In Abuja. The theme of this Year’s award ceremony was “A vision for the future Education in Africa”.
Founder and President of the Unicaribbean Business School, Amb. Dr. Olufemi Rasheed in his opening remarks spoke about the little beginnings of the school at the University of Lagos and how the Unicaribbean Business School has grown exceedingly in ten years and is well-known for its vibrancy and impact.
Amb. Dr. Olufemi stated that “Foundation Matters”, and went further to inform the gathering of the UBS New proposed Campus in Lagos State Nigeria, and declared that Hostel Buildings in the New Proposed Campus would be named after distinguished awardees of the business school and Nigerians. He, therefore, called on well-meaning Nigerians to support the big vision of the Unicaribbean Business School.
Also speaking, Amb. Dr. Roy Oamien (Group CEO of August Eye Security Services Ltd) noted that Africa needs people with bold visions to push its development; stating that consistency and integrity are the fuelings needed to grow a big vision.
He went further to bemoan the challenges facing Nigeria, such as corruption, unemployment, insecurity, and political godfatherism.
Awardees of the Business School include Amb. Dr. Abdulsalam Ogbemudia, Comrade Dr. Segun Felix, Dr. Adewale Sanni, Dr. Kazibwe Sophia, Prof. Dr. Alex Bashasha from Uganda, Amb. Dr. Roy Oaimen, Amb. Engr. Dr. Martha Ikhalo, Dr. Tee Mac Omatshola (MFR), and Prof. Dr. Dileep Kumar.
Watch this special documentary anniversary video about the Unicaribbean Business School:
Africa’s most influential people in business, sports, leadership, security, politics, academics and governance have received recognition at the prestigious International Youth Summit/ Award Ceremony.
The annual award ceremony which was held on Saturday April 10, 2021 at the Nigerian National Merit Award House, Maitama, Abuja was organised by the International summit of leaders -an annual forum of investors, scientists, designers, corporate organizations, research institutions, academics, vice chancellors, professional bodies, public and private organizations from Nigeria and other countries to discuss key global issues.
The group was formed in October 2013 in Lagos with just 34 members and its membership has grown to 8,215 members worldwide. The summit/ Award ceremony bringing together the continent’s most powerful voices, had as its theme: Peace, security and Employment are Tools for sustainable development in Africa.
The event had a line up of keynote speakers including Dr. Otunba Kenny Odugbemi (Patron, Int’l Youth Summit & CEO of Inspection services limited), Dr. Roy Okhidievbe (Chairman/ CEO August Eye Security Services limited), Prof. (Dr.). Dewanand Mahadew ( MD, Dutch Council for International Business, Netherlands), among others. The keynote speakers engaged the audience through hard hitting talks, fireside chats and insightful panel discussions that evaluated the recent happenings in Africa while identifying opportunities that peace, security and employment present for sustainable development in the continent.
Ambassador Dr. Olufemi Rasheed .A ( President of the Unicaribbean Business School and International Coordinator of the International Summit of leaders
In his welcome address, Ambassador Dr. Olufemi Rasheed .A ( President of the Unicaribbean Business School and International Coordinator of the International Summit of leaders said, ” the award/ Summit seek to discuss the future and value people in different countries for rendering uncommon service to humanity”
He stated that the theme was apt because conflict, insecurity and unemployment are hydra-headed problems confronting the continent. He pointed out that these issues needed to be addressed for sustainable development and peace to thrive. In addition, he added that poverty is rampant in Africa due to bad leadership, corruption and selfishness of the ruling elite.
Dr. Roy Okhidievbe
In his firework presentation, Dr. Roy Okhidievbe remarked that ” peace is not the absence of conflict and that conflict has been commonplace as the existence of man.” The application of the rule of law, he said must be enforced to manage conflicts in the region. He also revealed that unemployment in Nigeria is not only a result of lack of jobs, but because ” our universities graduated non-graduates” who lack entrepreneurial skills. He hinted that development in Nigeria has remained stagnated for decades because of corruption, bad governance, the entrenchment of cabals, and lack of philanthropists.
Also speaking virtually via WhatsApp Dr. Otunba Kenny Odugbemi disclosed that poverty, insecurity and unemployment has remained predominant in Africa because African Leaders are egocentric, vision less, and desire to stay in power in perpetuity.
On his part, he explained that quality Leadership can bring about a vibrant shift in Africa. Typical examples he listed are Rwanda and Tanzania. He continued that, ” the entire Africa Continent suffers underdevelopment because of the greed of the politicians. For development to be visible in Africa, priority must be given to education, children, women and Youths”. He proffered a “workable cultural policy” for African countries that will enable them to be self- sufficient and proactive.
L-R Dr. SOS Nwachukwu ( Chief Advisor & Chairman of Dans-Hari Resources Ltd ) receiving his award from Dr. Roy
Also speaking Dr. SOS Nwachukwu ( Chief Advisor & Chairman of Dans-Hari Resources Ltd ) stated that when personalities are elevated beyond systems and institutions, impunity is elevated in society, thus accountability must be entrenched.
Also addressing the audience virtually from India, Prof. Dr. Dileep Kumar. M declared that “peace is also the absence of poverty, unemployment and inequality”. He asserted that competitive and collaborative effort of the government and the private sector is needed for peace to abound in Africa.
The outstanding award which is the highest was received by personalities that cut across Sierra Leone, Liberia, Uganda and South Africa. The awardees for the outstanding leadership awards were: Madam Joyce. N. Tamale CEO, Capital Solutions Ltd Kampala, Uganda, Dr. Patrick Bernard Ogwei CEO (General Secretary) National Council of Sports- Uganda, Al. Hajj Hassan Basajjabalaba CEO at Ariana George Integrated Services Ltd, Uganda, (Engr.) Otunba Adewale Adenaike Special Adviser (Projects) to the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Dr. SOS Nwachukwu, Dr. Oyedokun Oyewole, President, Chairman Governing Council ( International University of Information Management, Benjamin Yele Wehye among others.
Others that were awarded honorary doctorate degree by SSBM Switzerland are: Dr. Roy Okhidievbe, Dr. Kenny Odugbemi, Otunba Adewale Adenaike, Al.Hajj Hassan, Dr. Patrick Bernard, Dr. Sunday S. Nwachukwu, Madam Joyce Tamale, Benjamin Yele Wehye, Dr. Amina Sani, Mrs. Allen Kagina, Prof. Dileep, Comrade Sarki Yemi and others.
Plaques for International Quality Award, Honorary Fellow, Fellow and Associate Award were also presented. Dr.Olufemi also used the opportunity to induct Mrs. Mariarita Mercurio as Ambassador of the International Summit of leaders.
The event was supported by the Unicaribbean Business School, Swiss School of Business and Management, Geneva (SSBM) and the Mahatma Gandhi Mission University (MGM). Once again the event revealed that Africans that have contributed immensely to humanity will continue to get accolades.
Here are all the FAB photos from the star-studded event.
Madam Joyce Tamale receiving her award from Dr. Roy
