Man they say attains his highest distinction only when he leads a purposeful life. This clearly defines Prince Bode Adetoyi, who was born about fifty-four (54) years ago into Iletitun ruling house of Oke Afin, Otun Ekiti in Moba local government of Ekiti state.
Sired by hardworking parents who wanted the best for their precocious son, the best they could give Olabode, was directing his path towards education. Like a child who was climbing the ladder of life, he excelled at every stage of his educational pursuit, and he continued till he got to the pinnacle.
His educational sojourn saw him through University of Ilorin (B.Agric Hons) to University of Ibadan, (Masters), Lagos State University for another Degree in Marketing, Harvard Business School USA, A&M University College Station, Texas -USA, University of Stellenbosch Business School Capetown -South Africa, Insper du sino,Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Lagos Business School, Pan Atlantic University Lagos, Nigeria.
Prince Olabode invested 27 years working in the Agribusiness Industry in Nigeria. He is indeed a thoroughbred in the field of Agriculture, as he was trained in more than 19 countries. He’s well traveled and has visited at least two countries in all the continents of the world.
He is passionate about high humanitarian and social services delivery, training, product and service marketing, public speaking, designing and implementation of programs and projects focusing on the development of Agricultural sector.
He has extensive Project and Program Management experience with special emphasis on equipping and building the capacity of people to attain life goals and group objectives. He’s self-motivated with strong interpersonal and proven leadership skills.
He is currently the Chairman and Founder of Value Ingredients Ltd Lagos with a branch in Ado Ekiti. He was Director, Fountain Holdings Ltd (an investment arm of Ekiti State), Chairman Youth in Commercial Agriculture Development Ekiti State, Member Ekiti -State Covid 19 Resource Mobilization Committee, Hon Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security Ekiti State 31st August 2020 – 15th October 2022. While he was Commissioner, he made footprints that were largely indelible. Few are, Engagement of Youths in Agribusiness {Training of over 300 youths through YEASA, IITA, IFAD, AFRICARISE, ABUAD}, Engagement on Development Strategy for Agro Cargo Airport, built and support Ease of Doing Business, wrote a new Agric. Policy Development for Ekiti State, Establishment of clonal gardens for seedlings so that farmers an have access to new and improved varieties of Cocoa, Oil Palm, Cashew etc.,
He Facilitated the distribution of free Agrochemicals to Cocoa farmers in Ekiti, Reactivation of farms estates, Co- Managing Ikun Dairy Farms for efficient delivery and running of the investment. Also, under his superintendent as Hon Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security Ekiti State, working under former Governor His Excellency Dr John Kayode Fayemi, his tenure attracted good commercial farmers/ investors to the State.
His achievements in the Private business include, the promotion of the Animal Science profession through his position as the Vice National President Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) through instituting policies that promotes poultry production. He is a Fellow – Nigeria Institute of Animal Science( NIAS), Fellow – Fisheries society of Nigeria, Fellow – Institute of Agribusiness management of Nigeria, Fellow – Institute of Marketing, member – Manufacturer Association of Nigeria, member – Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industries NACCIMA etc
He is a motivational speaker and Resource Person at PAN Atlantic University (Lagos Business School, mentoring young CEO’S and startup companies CEO’S on the best way to run a successful company. He at a point invited guest speakers to address Agricultural students in the South-West Part of Nigeria to embrace Agribusiness.
He oversee the Merger and Acquisition of his company, Hi Nutrients with Neovia group, France, making him the first entrepreneur in the Agriculture and Livestock Industry in Nigeria to turn a local company to multinational on June 18, 2018.
A man of many laurels, he’s listed among the top 100 CEO in Nigeria at the recent National Agribusiness Stakeholders and investors summit / Nigeria farmers and Agribusiness Awards 2021 at Abuja and was instrumental to Ekiti State been awarded as “The best state that have done very well in Agriculture and Agribusiness in the South-western Nigeria 2021”.
Awarded the Nigerian 50 Award for being among Top 50 Fastest growing Company in Nigeria by All World Network USA and The Tony Elumelu Foundation: March 2013.
Also in his kitty, is the Award of high Professional competence by Nigeria Society of Animal Production NSAP 2014, Conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business Management and Entrepreneurship by European-American University. 8 Copthall, Roseau Valley, 00157, Commonwealth of Dominica 2019, and a host of other social and humanitarian Awards with Professional recognitions too numerous to mention.
His book “The Entrepreneur” was mostly sought after by ‘Agriprenuer’ enthusiasts. His other book in the pipeline is Merger and Acquisition Made Easy {Awaiting Publication}.
Prince Olabode Adetoyi is happily married with wonderful children, a Christian and a humanist per excellence.
At 54, Olabode had already scribed his name beautifully in Gold and has etched his niche in the heart of his fellow humans. As founder of Bode Adetoyi Movement, a foundation that caters for the needs of the downtrodden, Grand Patron Federation of Otun Moba Students’ Union, Otun Ekiti and Patron Federation of Moba Students Union etc, in the last eleven (11) years, over six hundred (600) students have benefited from his Bursary and scholarship scheme. The aged and vulnerable, also constantly enjoy his milk of grace.
To commemorate his birthday today, he will be presenting a Cheque of Five Hundred Thousand naira as his support and encouragement to Joejoy Academy in Otun Ekiti. Joejoy Academy is owned by Mr Olagunju Ayodele Joseph, a young Nigerian who from his own little corner is pushing the frontiers of academic excellence for the youths in Moba Local Government and environs. Through his coaching and tutelage, countless students have gained admission into Higher Institutions to pursue befitting careers.
With these alluring dossiers, impressive achievements, remarkable legacies and outstanding footprints, I belief it is not out of place to say Prince Bode Adetoyi is living meaningfully on the threshold of existence.
As he celebrates his birthday today, may the host of heaven continue to empower him and bless him more for humanity.
-Tope Ibitola (Sugarito)
Dip. Public Relations (NIJ Lagos)