The Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies (CENTS) FUNAAB has taken a bold step to ensure that the graduates of the University are well positioned for employment and are marketable through its “Branding FUNAAB Graduates for Employment and Marketability” Programme, organised recently for graduates and final year students of the University.

Delivering his Opening Remark at the programme, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kolawole Salako, represented by his Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development, Professor Lateef Sanni charged the teeming students to take advantage of the programme and the Guest Speakers to prepare themselves as they leave the University system.

He welcomed the Guest Speakers, drawn from all walks of life, noting that the students will be delighted to tap from their life experience.

Earlier in his Welcome Address, the Director (CENTS), Professor Babatunde Adewumi welcomed everybody to the programme which aimed at boosting the employability and marketability chances of FUNAAB’s students in the labour market.

Professor Adewunmi noted that the branding programme will be the second edition to be held under his watch as the Director of the Centre.

Representative of the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development, Professor Lateef Sanni showcasing customized FUNAAB Courtesy Gifts and produce to visiting First Bank team after the Lecture.

He said that the programme is mainly to prepare FUNAAB’s graduates for job interviews and the employment market; expose the graduates to various interview environments for maximum performance and encourage the graduate students to be employers of labour where white collar jobs are not available.

In addition, he added that the second edition will give room for CENTS to tell its stories; provide exhibition stand and showcase some of the graduates that have enjoyed the branding programme with emphasis on Agripreneur and above all, giving hope and courage to FUNAAB’s graduating students.

Professor Adewumi re-assured the gathering of the Centre’s aim at providing full range of business education and support services to students and the general public, while it aimed at equipping young graduates with entrepreneurial spirit, culture, innovativeness and vocational/agribusiness skills that will spur them into self-employment, young leaders and employers of labour.

The Director listed the goals of the Centre to include, creating and promoting entrepreneurial awareness and opportunities; imparting entrepreneurial skills in the students, staff and external members of the University; enhancing capacity of potential and practicing entrepreneurs who desire to learn practical entrepreneurial skills and making employers of labour in FUNAAB graduates, thereby contributing to reduction in unemployment and poverty in the country.

Others goals include, provision of market linkages for students’ businesses and assisting in sourcing finance; mentoring of small and medium entreprise (SMEs), and hyper-growth Business; offering supportive programmes to SME operators in the community and stimulating the development and growth of entrepreneurship in Nigeria.

Professor Adewumi listed arrays of achievements recorded by the Centre and concluded that there are abounding testimonies from CENTS students and staff to confirm that CENTS branding programme is unique.

He charged that tertiary institutions in the country must develop their curriculum and teaching methodology, such that students can apply what they were taught in the industry.

The Keynote Speakers and motivators at the programme are; the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, First Bank Nigeria Plc, Mr. Adesola Adeduntan, who was represented by the Head, Talent Management, First Bank Nigeria Plc, Mr. Muyiwa Olulaja spoke on Recruitment Process in a Bank, Preparing CV and Writing Aptitude Test;