Professor Olugbenga Oyeyemi of the Veterinary Medicine Department at the University of Ibadan emphasized the importance of adaptability as a key element for maintaining a competitive advantage in a highly volatile economy like Nigeria.
According to Oyeyemi, regardless of the depth and value of innovations one may acquire in their pursuit, it is important to be able to adapt them creatively for desirable results.
Oyeyemi spoke at Kaff Hall, Human Nutrition Department, University of Ibadan, during the conferment of an Honorary Doctorate Degree on Mrs. Bukola Bello on Saturday.
While presenting the paper titled, “Innovation and Adaptation: The Role of Strategic Planning in Driving Organizational Change,” Oyeyemi said, “People must be trained to adopt innovations.
“What you produce must be acceptable to the society in which you live. For some people, it takes time to adjust to changes. You need to position yourself so that you adjust correctly. A manager or an entrepreneur must be able to solve problems in their line of business effectively. You should be able to project the culture of your company and assess whether what you have added is relevant.
“It is important, for instance, to know that no matter how small a customer is, we should honor them. You must know the culture of the people in the area where you operate. You must create opportunities and allow people to grow under you. You must be able to understand customers’ demands.”
In conclusion, he said, “Coming together is the beginning, keeping together is progress, and working together is success. When you promote the wrong people, you begin to lose the best people.”
In an interview on the sidelines of the program, Bello, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Isbio Integrated Services Limited and Fatbuks Enterprises, expressed joy at being admitted as a fellow and member of the Institute of Arts Management and Professionals, saying, “I am happy that the little I contributed to society was noticed. This award encourages me to do more in giving back to society. Whatever people can do to help society, they should not hold back.”
The various awards conferred on inductees at the occasion included those for excellent service, humanitarian efforts, leadership, fellowship, and honorary doctorate degrees.
Convener of the program and CEO of Uniplan Integrated Services, Dr. Kunle Awotiku, congratulated the professional students in his opening speech.
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