Oyo: Royal spices academy gets hostel facility, graduates 87 students

 

An Ibadan-based government-approved academy dedicated to providing the highest level of culinary and hospitality instruction through world-class programmes, Royal Spices Academy, on Tuesday held its 2022/2023 graduation ceremony, which witnessed no fewer than 87 graduating students being conferred with diplomas and certificates.

A breakdown of the statistics of the graduating students indicated that 27 graduated with a Diploma in Culinary, 38 graduated with a Certificate in Culinary, 3 received Diploma in Cake Making and sugar craft, 16 graduated with a Certificate in Cake making and Sugar Craft, 1 graduated with a certificate in Hotel and Hospitality Management, 1 graduated with Diploma in Pastry and Finger Foods, while 2 got Certificate in Pastry and Finger Foods.

The academy also presented an award of excellence to an eminent Nigerian, Mrs. Titilayomi Ahmadu who has made several outstanding contributions in her field and the country at large.

Similarly, in recognition of their outstanding performances and behaviours, some graduating students were also awarded. This, according to the academy, is expected to encourage them in igniting their entrepreneurial instincts.

In her address at this year’s graduation ceremony, held at Apata, Ibadan, the Rector, and Chief Executive Officer of the Academy, Dr. Olufunmi Adegbile, noted that another progress worthy of mention is the acquisition of a hostel facility for students, adding that intending students from outside Oyo state can now have easy access to accommodation.

Congratulating all the graduates whose dreams of acquiring knowledge and skills at the academy had materialised, the banker turned entrepreneur, Adegbile, further tasked them to make a difference in the hospitality sector and contribute to the realising of the academy’s dream of positively impacting the society and economy.

“We have several reasons to be grateful on this special occasion because we are also celebrating 32 years of existence of the mother company, Royal Spices. We are rejoicing and thanking God for how far He has brought us. Another progress worthy of mention is the acquisition of a hostel facility for students, and intending students from outside Oyo state can now have easy access to accommodation.

“As we turn out a new set of graduates today, we believe that we are sending out great ambassadors who will go out and make a difference in the hospitality sector and contribute to the realising of our dream of positively impacting our society and economy”, she charged.

Also commenting at the event, the Guest Speaker, Dr. Eyiwunmi Olayinka, while delivering her lecture, titled,’ Navigating Entrepreneurial Landscapes,’ emphasised that the future belongs to those who can think like an entrepreneur with the “I can make it happen mindset”.

According to the senior lecturer in the Department of European Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, navigating entrepreneurial landscapes takes courage, passion, resilience, as well as a touch of excellence, noting that building the right relationships, identifying gaps, and filling such gaps, collaborating, being innovative and having the needed skills will make an entrepreneur to stand out and have a positive impact on the society.

The varsity Don urged the graduating students to dream big, have an entrepreneurial mindset, and think about how to inject newness into whatever they do.

“If you want to succeed in life, relationships matter. It is those who you know that will help you to the top. Relationships take 85% out of your success, make sure you find the right relationships to be successful. Competition is stiff out there, but if you have the right relationships, you’ll be successful,” she said.

Speaking further, Olayinka, maintained that information is key to success for an entrepreneur, adding that accessing the appropriate information about the business, environment, and people’s needs and also satisfying their needs is a way to stand out among competitors.

“Africa has the terrain to succeed if you know your way and do the right thing. Identify gaps and fill those gaps adequately. Give whatever you are doing your best and give it a touch of excellence; impact your environment and dream big.

“Obstacles will come your way, but if you develop an entrepreneurial mindset with tenacity and courage, you will overcome. Think of how you can inject newness into what you do. There is nothing you do that is new, but the idea you bring into it is the newness. Develop an entrepreneurial mindset, skills, knowledge, understand self emotional learning, problem-solving, time management, identify opportunities and collaborate,” the varsity don submitted.