The Foremost Institute of Master Industrial Management Entrepreneurship (IMIME) has commemorated World Entrepreneurs Day 2022 by establishing three colleges of entrepreneurship and launching a multipurpose cooperative society for Certified Industrial Management Entrepreneurs (CIME) members.
The three colleges unveiled for the institute at the event held on Friday, 19 August 2022, at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, are Kelebe Entrepreneurship College, Oyo; Ibadan Digital Academy (IDA), Ibadan; and Kingstar Techsupport Vocational College (KTVC).
The Institute also used the occasion to honour dignitaries, scholars, industrialists and distinguished entrepreneurs, including the wife of the former Chief of Staff in Oyo State, Mrs Biodun Saka-Balogun; former Corporate Affairs Manager, Fan Milk Plc, Oyekemi Wilson; Mr Ganiyu Adeola; Dr John Ajiboye; Engr. Kayode Adamolekun; CEO, Ripples Events and Catering Services, Mrs Eunice Olaseeke Adeoye.
Others are Dr Adewale Adesina, CEO, Ibutoks Oil and Gas, Mrs Tokunbo Ademosu, and Chairman, Sugarland Autos, Hotel and Lounge, Barrister Taiwo Lukman Akinola.
The guest speaker at the occasion, Prof. Oyedunni Sola Arulogun, called on Nigerians, especially the youths, to engage in multiple vocations and skills to meet the present economic challenges and realities currently faced by the country.
The renowned Professor while stating the significance of entrepreneurs in nation-building with Nigerians joining the rest of the world to mark World Entrepreneurs Day, then thanked the Institute of Master Industrial Management Entrepreneurship (IMIME) for the outreach at this critical time of the economic diversification strategies.
Arulogun, who charged the youths to be proactive at all times, maintained that the country is presently in a state of economic decline, and therefore the need for them to be more proactive is essential.
The President, Institute of Master Industrial Management Entrepreneurship (IMIME), Ambassador (Dr.) Fatai Salahuderen, while welcoming awardees and guests to the red carpet anchored by the queen of the red carpet, Fola Slim, appreciated the collective efforts of all Nigerian entrepreneurs for standing firm with the economy during recessions and economic downturns, noting that without them the economy would not have been where it is today; hence, the significance of entrepreneurs is not negotiable.
Salahuderen, on behalf of the Institute’s leadership, then encouraged new Fellows of the Institute, as they become members of the Global Corporate Advisory Council, to continue the good entrepreneurial contributions they are known for in the country’s nation-building and economic diversification.
It was further disclosed that some credible dignitaries were carefully selected to become the institute’s Fellows in other to move the institute into the heart of the industrial sectors of the economy with contemporary entrepreneurship philosophy and to inculcate in the youths not to depend on white-collar jobs as their best opportunity.
Among the benefits of the Fellow Awards are the Worldwide Fellowship of Distinguished Entrepreneurs, Corporate Training Ambassador status granted to the awardees by the Institute, and the opportunity to own a college of entrepreneurship accredited by the Institute. Additionally, all Certified Industrial Management Entrepreneurs (CIME) are eligible for corporate membership in the Institute’s Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society.
The president further disclosed that the institute’s professional membership is open to all with a WASC/GCE or higher educational background and is categorised into three levels: Professional status is granted to Technicians, Graduates, and Associates upon successful completion of the Best Practice Entrepreneurs assessment and evaluation requirements set by the Institute’s council. The Institute has established programs to support members’ advancement, affiliations, and post-qualification progression for postgraduate studies with tertiary institutions within and outside Nigeria.
In addition to this position at the Institute, Prof. Arulogun emphasised, “I want to tell our youths in their thousands not to depend on government jobs to make it in life, and that is why we have brought eminent Nigerians together to celebrate them to intimate you that hard work pays.
“The mission of the Institute is to promote Entrepreneurship and massively transmit professional Entrepreneurship competencies to all Nigerians at all levels of leadership.”