Chairperson of First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Plc, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, is scheduled deliver the 20th annual lecture of Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), holding in Ilorin, Kwara State.
In a statement by Mr. Mayowa Gidado, Public Relations Officer of the Institute, the lecture, scheduled for October 20 at its campus. The topic, ‘Promoting Agripreneurship Green Alternative: A Catalyst for National Security and Sustainable Development,’ was cleverly chosen to reflect the agricultural needs of Nigeria.
“It will be an avenue for ARMTI to fulfill one of its core mandates, which is to contribute to policy development to boost better management of the agricultural and rural sector of the nation’s economy,” he added.
In the past, the lecture series had attracted notable speakers like former President Olusegun Obasanjo,Senate President Bukola Saraki, Dr. Ishrait Husain of the World Bank, Admiral Murtala Nyako, Maj-Gen. Agbazika Innih and Dr. Louise Setwaeb of the United Nations Food Agricultural Organisation (FAO).
About Ibukun Awosika
Mrs Ibukunoluwa Awosika is the Chairman, Board of Directors, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s premier and most valuable banking brand. She is also the founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Chair Centre Group. The companies within the group include: The Chair Centre Limited, Sokoa Chair Centre Limited, Furniture Manufacturers Mart, TCC Security Systems and Cubes and Boxes Limited. These companies are involved in manufacturing, retail and bank-way security systems services.
Ibukun chairs a number of corporate and not-for-profit boards amongst which are: House of Tara International and Afterschool Graduate Development Centre (AGDC), a facility which she promoted to help address youth employability and enterprise issues in Nigeria. She sits on the boards of Digital Jewel Limited, Cadbury Nigeria Plc., Convention on Business Integrity (CBI) and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority. She was Chairman, FBN Life Assurance Limited, FBN Capital Limited and Kakawa Discount House Limited.
Ibukun is a graduate of Chemistry from University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Nigeria; an alumna of the Chief Executive Programme of Lagos Business School; the Global Executive MBA of IESE Business School, Barcelona-Spain; and Global CEO Programme of Wharton, IESE and China European International Business School (CEIBS).
With high interest in social issues, including women, Ibukun is a co-founder and past chairperson of Women in Business, Management and Public Service (WIMBIZ). An ordained Pastor and founder of the Christian Missionary Fund, Ibukun, through this faith-based organization works with hundreds of missionaries spread across Nigeria to change lives with the provision of medical, educational, and other supplies.
As a fellow of the African Leadership Initiative, Aspen Global Leadership Network, Institute of Directors and Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria, Ibukun, through her projects aspires to use her opportunities in life to further the greatness of her dear country by raising entrepreneurs to create jobs for the large unemployed youthful population. She is a member of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), served on National Job Creation Committee (NJCC), and sits on the International Advisory Board of IESE Business School, Barcelona-Spain.
Ibukun is a multiple award-winning entrepreneur and the first Nigerian recipient of the prestigious International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC) Award as a nominee of the US Department of State in 2008. She loves to watch investigative and legal series in her leisure time. She is happily married to Abiodun Awosika and they are blessed with three wonderful sons.
About ARMTI
Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI) was founded in 1980 through a world bank loan and is a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. It was set up to identify and analyze management problems and needs and develop appropriate interventions for improving managerial practice in the Agricultural and Rural Sector.
ARMTI serves the nation-wide Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs), the River Development Authorities (RBDAs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), Federal Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development, State Ministries of Agriculture and Natural Resources (MANR), National Research Institutes, Forestry and Livestock sub-sectors, Agricultural-business Organisations, Private Corporations
