Seasoned marketer and boardroom warrior, Mr. Yinka Akande, has thrown in the towel as Director -General/Chief Executive Officer of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).

Akande, who joined MAN amid fanfare effective December 1, 2011, left this month – less than a year and a half after assuming the plum position.

“He is no more with MAN; he has resigned,” a source at MAN’s National Secretariat in Ikeja, Lagos, told News Express. The source did not say why Akande left. As at the time of this publication, the erstwhile MAN boss was yet to reply to questions sent to him by News Express via e-mail and Facebook.

Akande’s resignation appears to be a blow to MAN going by the words of its President, Chief Kola Jamodu, who said while announcing his appointment about 18 months ago: “We are indeed delighted to have been able to attract a seasoned professional of Yinka’s caliber to continue and accelerate the ongoing reforms of the association.

“With Yinka on board and working in concert with other stakeholders, MAN as an organisation will be better positioned to continue to contribute in eliciting the type of conducive industrial climate that will ensure the growth of manufacturing business in Nigeria.”

Prior to joining MAN, Akande was running his private company, xYz Marketing Consult, which he set up after leaving Etisalat Nigeria as Brand Director.

Described as a highly cerebral marketing strategist and educator, Akande was the first Director (Events, Sponsorship & Promotions) and former Director (Communications) of Nigeria’s Second National Carrier, Globacom, before joining Etisalat.

He has logged more than 26 years functioning in industrial relations, plant production, demand management, marketing, sales and brand management in conglomerates such as Coca-Cola International, Glaxo-Smithkline, UAC and Unilever.

Akande likes to describe himself as “Passionate, Principled, Personable, and Professional.”

•Photo shows Yinka Akande.

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