3INVESTONLINE – The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Alpha Mead Facilities & Management Services Ltd (AM Facilities), Engr. Femi Akintunde, has won the highly prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the West African sub-region in the emerging entrepreneur category.

The EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, sponsored by Ernst & Young, are held in more than 140 cities and in over 50 countries worldwide. It recognises business leaders driving successful, innovative businesses, and celebrates their exemplary performance.

Speaking at the award ceremony in Lagos, Ernst & Young’s Regional Managing Partner for West Africa, Mr. Henry Egbiki, who described the award as “the most prestigious award that recognises entrepreneurs across the world,” explained that the finalists and winners of the award emerged after an extensive and intensive process. The nominees are reviewed by an independent judging panel, composed of several distinguished business leaders and previous award recipients.

In his own remarks, the Minister of Trade, Olusegun Aganga, said there was a compelling need to celebrate successful and exceptional entrepreneurs due to their impact in boosting by their business initiatives, which provide employment for the teeming masses, amongst many others things.

After receiving the award, Akintunde, who was excited at receiving yet another honour, said, “ the award is a recognition of our commitment to achieve excellence in all that we do despite the very difficult business operating environment, increasing customer demand and competitive landscape, our business continues to flourish and we continue to outperform competition, I’m overwhelmed that this award came to me. That’s because I have looked at story and achievements of other finalists both from Nigeria and other countries and I am thrilled at the great length we all have gone in proving our mettle therefore, the award could have gone to any one of us so, I feel privileged and honoured to have been declared the winner but I salute the courage and achievements of others as well. West Africa and Nigeria in particular is blessed with great entrepreneurial spirit and I believe that, together with the rightful management of our resources, Nigeria will become a great nation.”

Mr. Akintunde recalled his 17 years career and professional development journey through the corporate world in two world class institutions; Nestle and Shell before venturing into the world of entrepreneurship and remarked that the solid foundation laid for him in these company has made the whole difference in his approach to business which high respect for structure, processes and systems as basis for achieving sustainable high performance and continuous growth. Some notable people who Femi identified as his role models and mentors over the years were also present to facilitate with Femi and grace the occasion, these include; Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria and Managing Director Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), Mr Dave Ifezulike, Chairman Nestle Nigeria Plc and also Mr & Mrs Kunmi Adeyemo.

Akintunde is an Industrial Engineering graduate with a Masters degree in Engineering Management. He is an accomplished engineer and business management professional with strong entrepreneurial drive.

He started his career in 1988 with Nestle Food Nigeria Plc as an Industrial Engineer and rose to the position of Head, Corporate Technical Planning, a position he occupied between 1991 and 1993, before proceeding to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

During his 12 years stint in SPDC, he occupied senior and management positions in key areas such as  Human Resources, Major Oil & Gas Projects, Engineering Services and Facilities and Assets Management.

He is also a registered and accomplished member of many professional organizations, including COREN, the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Institute of Personnel Management (IPM), Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE) and the International Facility Management Association (IFMA).

2013-11-13