Profiles - Company Directors
Dr. 'Lekan Are
A renowned Agronomist and Agricultural Consultant of National and International repute.
He holds a B. Sc. (Agric) London, M.S., and Ph.D. (Crop Science), Michigan State University, USA. He is Executive Chairman of Kakanfo Enterprises, Ltd. and Lekan Are Farms, as well as the Chairman of University Press Plc.
He is also a Director of Solid Trust Insurance Brokers Ltd and Punch Nigeria Ltd.
Dr. Are was formerly Deputy Director, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Professor of Agronomy, Njala University of Sierra Leone, Deputy Executive Secretary, West Africa Rice Development Association (WARDA) and Founding CEO of Ogun Oshun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA). He was also Director Wema Bank, PLC (1989-2004) , Wema Securities, Plc and Independent Securities, Ltd. (1989-2006)
He has been associated with the management of Kakanfo Inn since inception in October 1988.
Mr. Ajay Singh Bawa
Obtained a B.A. from Delhi University, India in 1970.
He entered the hotel industry in November 1970 with an Outdoor Catering Company. He became Assistant Manager Rama International Hotel in 1976 and rose to Food and Beverage (F&B) Manager by 1982 and Front Office Manager by 1985.
In September 1986, he joined Deribe Hotel Maiduguri, Nigeria where he became Resident Manager in 1987. He is the pioneer General Manager of Kakanfo Inn, Ibadan from October 1988.
He became the Director of Operations of Kakanfo Inn since August 1991. And is currently the Executive Director, Managing.
Mrs. Funke Are-Igun
Earned both a B.B.A and M.B.A from the University of Michigan, USA, and specialized in Finance & Marketing.
She has over sixteen years experience consulting with startups to existing small business enterprises. She advises her clients on what they need to startup their business as well as provides on-going assistance and consultation to them.
Her offerings to her clients include but are not limited to loan packages, market feasibility studies, business and marketing plans. Additionally, she conducts small business seminars on an on-going basis.
She is the Principal Partner, Strategic Thinktank, Inc. and Chief Executive Officer of TraveLink Vacation Rental Co, Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA. She is also a Managing Partner of African Dolls and Collectibles LLC.
Mr. Ayo Are
Earned a Baccalaureate degree in Political Science as well as a Masters degree in Public Administration from the University of Michigan.
Mr. Are is the President and Managing Executive of Money Managers International. As a seasoned Financial Advisor with over 21 years experience in the Private Banking Insurance and Financial Services industry and a Masters in Public Administration with an emphasis on Finance from the University of Michigan he is focused on providing the necessary guidance and direction to his clientele in order to define and achieve their financial goals and objectives.
His financial practice is well defined and focused on private banking asset management asset protection charitable gifting in addition to estate and retirement investment strategies.
In calendar year 2008 his dedication to his clients and community won him membership in the 2009 edition of Marquis Who’s Who In America and Who’s Who in the World..
Mr. 'Damola Are
Damola is Vice President of Resort Operations for Celebrity Resorts and brings over twenty years of industry experience to the position. In this role, Damola focuses on overseeing all aspects of operations for Celebrity Resorts properties and is also involved in the underwriting of new projects. Prior to joining Celebrity Resorts, Damola was with MasterCorp Inc and Navnish Hotels as a Vice President of Operations.
He previously served with Hilton Hotels Corporation as the Senior Director of Global Guest Initiatives for the Hilton Grand Vacations portfolio. Prior to being promoted to that position, Damola served as the Regional Director of Resort Operations for properties in the Eastern and Rocky Mountain regions. In these positions, he oversaw the brand performance, operations, sales, marketing, quality assurance and overall profitability of almost half the inventory in the Hilton Grand Vacations portfolio. Prior to joining Hilton, Damola was with Marriott International as an Area General Manager of the Marriott Streamside at Vail in Vail, CO.
Damola's service in Vail was his second stint with Marriott. In his first tour with the company early in his career, Damola rose from being the Operations Manager at the Courtyards in South Coast Metro, CA, San Diego Mira Mesa, CA and Buena Park, CA to holding positions that included the General Manager of the Fairfield Inn Main Gate in Anaheim, CA (where he oversaw the conversion of the 500-room hotel from a Ramada Inn to the world's largest Fairfield Inn and earned the Fairfield Inn General Manager of the Year award as well as a Marriott Leadership Award), General Manager of the Residence Inn in Pasadena, CA and a LYNX trainer for the western United States. In between his employment with Marriott, Damola was a Regional General Manager with Sunstone Hotels where he oversaw operations of a Courtyard, two Residence Inns and one Fairfield Inn in southern California.
Damola holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, a Bachelor in Science in Public Administration from Michigan State University and completed extensive academic coursework at both the University of Michigan and The University of London, Regents College.
Company Directors
- Dr. 'Lekan Are
- Mr. Ajay Singh Bawa
- Mrs. Funke Are-Igun
- Mr. Ayo Are
- Mr. 'Damola Are