Ada Osakwe becomes first African to give a speech at the convocation ceremony of Kellogg School of Management

Ada Osakwe has become the first African to give a speech at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. The event took place on Friday, 19th June, 2020. The topic of her speech was titled ‘Finding your voice in extraordinary times’. She is also the fourth black woman to do so, following in the footsteps of outstanding Black-Americans that include Edith Cooper (Kellogg ’86), Global Head of Human Capital at Goldman Sachs in 2017, Roslyn Brock, Chairman Emeritus of the NAACP in 2012 and media titan Oprah Winfrey, in 2011.

She felt incredibly honoured that not even up to a decade after graduating from Kellogg where she earned her MBA, she was invited to address the class of 2020.

“As a young woman who has worked hard to promote Africa in all I do, this meant a lot to me. I was sad when due to COVID 19, I was unable to join them in person. But by God’s grace, we will do so next year”. Ada said.

With a critical phase of their lives upended by the ongoing global health pandemic, the class of 2020 completed the last few months of their MBA degree program virtually, instead of on campus in the classroom, and they will receive their diplomas in the mail or on their phones. Recognizing the need to offer extra inspiration at this extraordinary moment in history, in her commencement speech, Osakwe praised them for their bravery, resilience and courage.

Ada is the Founder of Agrolay Ventures, an investment firm focusing on early-stage innovative food companies in Africa. Since 2015, the firm has built a portfolio of 10 high-growth investments in food and technology, including The Nuli Juice Company (‘Nuli’), Nigeria’s fastest-growing farm-to-table beverage producer and fast-casual restaurant chain that utilizes locally-grown vegetables and fruits.

After her time in New York, she went into public service, joining the Nigerian Minister of Agriculture as his Senior Investment Advisor. This high-level role gave her unparalleled exposure at the highest levels. After four years, she gave up all the power and influence that came with her position, deciding to become an entrepreneur instead.

Osakwe revealed that those she called her friends disappeared overnight, her phone wasn’t ringing anymore. She says it was a difficult time as she felt she had to prove her professional capabilities to people all over again and rebuild her entire private-sector career from scratch. “Thinking back, it was just what was needed to motivate me to make sure my start-up, Nuli, became the fastest-growing beverage brand and fast-casual restaurant chain in Nigeria.” She said.

For Ada, it’s important to believe in yourself to make it through challenging times: “So in your quest to thrive, there will be curve-balls thrown your way and you’ll have to take risks, it’s a given. But you’ve just got to trust your journey,” she advised the graduating students.

Furthermore, she emphasized on the importance of finding their voices saying “…globally, we are at a tipping point, as we see various forms of injustice being revealed. And so now, more than ever, the world needs brave leaders like you, and me, and all other Kellogg grads around the world, to provide solutions to the existential problems being faced by humanity.” Adding that “It so important to find your voice and help others find theirs too, during these extraordinary times.”.

This message was important to Osakwe as she has recently been very outspoken about the Nigerian Government’s insufficient response to support small business owners in Nigeria through the difficult COVID 19 pandemic. “Small businesses like mine, a group that makes up over 80 percent of the labour force of my country, have been left alone to navigate these shaky waters”, Osakwe complained.

Ada has an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, MSc in Economics and Finance from University of Warwick, U.K. and BSc in Economics (First Class Honours) from the University of Hull, U.K.

She is Chair of the Small Business Networking Nigeria (SBNN), a new organisation founded by small business owners to represent their collective voices and interests on issues around policy and business environment.

https://businessday.ng/women-hub/article/ada-osakwe-becomes-first-african-to-give-a-speech-at-the-convocation-ceremony-of-kellogg-school-of-management/

Beauty with brain, Kudos to her. Wait o, how can a retired army general appoint himself as petroleum minister instead defence minister? Boko haram, banditry, insecurity everywhere etc. War veteran in refinery. Hmmmm!


Genius J

The real slaymama.

Igbo Amaka

Igbo to the world.

Ada Oma we are proud of you.

Igbo amaka

Ya kpo tu ba

Igbo Amaka....

Igbo makachara mma

First time of joining my Umunna to do Igbo amaka.

nnā see as likes just the pour out.

Nigerian Amaka

Ok,,ordinary speech,,, dem go say her name must enter Guinness book

Cool

Igbo Ndewo nu.

Igbo Amaka

Igbo Amaka

Soon you'd see a counter post/thread of she not being the first by some Accommodators

They are here already

WhistleBIower:
she's ipob that was bred and trained in the south west.

CursedAbiangwa:
Empty hype... erosion people

It can only be them. Igbo Amaka.

she's ipob that was bred and trained in the south west.

Beautiful Queen

Good radiance..

Igbo amaka crew over to you

She is a real niggar, Ada Osakwe Amaka.

Igbo amaka ,Igbo ndioma ndioma.cha cha cha Igbo mmuo nu,zuo nu.

Igbo to the world

Igbo blood is very thick

my igbo brothers and igbo amaka slogan though

In other news if you live in owerri hope has come to your automotive , thank me later

We are the Benin's...osakwe kudos

CursedAbiangwa:
Empty hype... erosion people

She Don carry first African title for there.
End of story.

Impressive resume!