(SALUTATIONS)
It is my pleasure to welcome all of you who have sacrificed one thing or the other to be part of the AES Excellence Club inauguration dinner. The timing of this event to coincide with the Golden Jubilee anniversary of Nigeria's Independence is most auspicious given that as we celebrate our 50years of nationhood, the general consensus is that the lofty dreams of our founding fathers remain largely unfulfilled and Nigeria is far from attaining her full potentials. But while we bemoan the present state of affairs and the lost opportunities, it behooves each and every one of us as stakeholders in the Nigerian project, to take steps individually and collectively to ensure that the next 50years will be marked with revolutionary positive transformation that will position Nigeria to take its pride of place amongst the comity of nations.

The AES Excellence Club, an initiative of the Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies, Nigeria to fast-track national development, is designed to provide a veritable platform for major players in both the public and private sectors who are passionate about Nigeria to contribute to the drive to chart a new, revolutionary and progressive course as we aim not only to become one of the top 20 most developed economies in the world by 2020 but to as well become a major player in the 21st century global political-economic arena. It is a response to the stimulating realization that we can no longer continue to sit akimbo and blame the government when things are not working. Nigeria belongs to all of us, we are all equal stakeholders and so it is our collective responsibility to create the Nigeria of our dream.

In view of the fact that any genuine attempt to rebuild Nigeria must be all-embracing, the AES Excellence Club shall be wholly non¬partisan. As part of its activities, the club shall from time to time undertake social responsibility projects such as promoting crime free culture, integrity, entrepreneurship development, etc., in the higher institutions of learning and the society at large. The AES Excellence Club being an initiative of the AES will champion the cause of AES vis-a-vis national development.

It will be holding quarterly cocktails/get-together to rob minds on how to move Nigeria forward while awards will be presented to deserving Nigerians and organizations annually. The award presentation is designed to recognize and honour credible individuals, as well as organizations that are positive reference points in their fields to serve as role models to the young ones. In this wise, our selection process is transparent and nomination based strictly on merit. Our selection team will also be concerned with the conduct of our award recipients even after presentation. You will all agree with me that our awardees today have made outstanding impacts in their chosen fields. They have by dint of hard work, prudence and doggedness risen to the pinnacle of their careers. We celebrate them today in order to encourage them to keep the flame aglow and also to inspire the young ones to emulate their footsteps.

There shall be four (4) categories of membership of the AES Excellence Club namely: Diamond, Gold. Silver and Bronze with accruing benefits. Membership of the Club is open to both Nigerians and foreigners resident in Nigeria; AES members and non-AES members. However, stringent measures are applied in the selection process to ensure that only men and women of honour, integrity, credibility and impeccable character are admitted into the Club. The Club also plans to have club Houses in Abuja and Lagos where members can avail themselves of modem recreational facilities for relaxation.

Permit me at this juncture to make a clarion call to all present to partner with AES and AES Excellence Club towards achieving its Objectives. As you are aware, AES is a non-profit making organization and relies on support from well-spirited individuals and corporate bodies to finance its projects. I hereby enjoin you to partner with us by (1) filling the membership forms, and (2) filling the pledge forms to indicate your category of partnership. It is only by so doing that, together we will make the objectives of AES and AES Excellence Club a reality. Suffice it to say that prudence and transparency is our watchword. Our board, management and staff are very credible individuals. We are transparent in our operations and publish our financial report annually.

As you are aware, the Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies, Nigeria (AES) is an initiative of the Organized Private and Public Sectors with our main thrust being the development of leadership and entrepreneurial spirit in all fields of human endeavours. Our vision is to build world class workers, leaders and entrepreneurs with character while perfecting the effectiveness of the existing ones as role models. AES is presently being chartered as the Chartered Institute of Entrepreneurs of Nigeria (CIEN) as AES Charter Bill has been gazetted as SB302 at the Senate.
AES has come a long way in its four years of existence and has made remarkable progress in its core areas of research, training and development in leadership and entrepreneurship. The activities of AES over the past four years are enumerated in "the journey so far" segment of the event brochure.

As this is not a speech making event I will end but not without reminding you that the Nigeria of our dream is a country with ...

People of integrity
and strength of
character
Excellent
Leadership
Reliable Power Supply
Security of lives and property
Functional infrastructure and utilities (good roads,
stable electricity, portable water supply etc)
Food sufficiency and appreciable standard ofliving
Quality and affordable healthcare and education
Peace, tolerance, love and unity
irrespective of tribe, creed or
religion, Justice, fairness and equity.
Development, progress and wealth creation for the nation

This is the Nigeria of our dream and together we can realize it. YES, WE CAN! Thank you for coming and God bless.

Dr. Ausbeth N. Ajagu, MFR, FAES
16th September, 2010.