Never before has there been an event that has brought
together twelve CEO’s an once were the words the Dean of the Lagos Business
School, Dr Enase Okonedo used to define the Meet the CEO conference organized
by the SME Logic which held on the 1st of February 2013. The SME
Logic is one of the Student Lead Activities (SLA) of the Lagos Business School
that focuses on supporting Small and Medium Enterprises by providing them with
business advisory services and also the SLA helps develop the entrepreneurship
spirit in the MBA students that were members of the SLA.
The objective of the program which was sponsored by Wema
Bank was to align the classroom knowledge of the MBA students with the
realities and expectations of the business world. The event was also meant to
provide a mentoring network between top business leaders across the different
industries in Nigeria and future business leaders from the Lagos Business
School.
To achieve this, the club selectively invited respectable individuals
with proven achievements in the Nigerian markets, passionate about leadership
development and desirous of leaving a lasting legacy. The industries
represented include; Finance, Manufacturing, Consulting, Technology, Oil and
Gas, Fashion, Agriculture, Fast Moving Consumer Goods and Interior Design.
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| The organizers and the invited CEO's |
The CEOs that were in attendance include; Mr Biodun Shobanjo
(Chairman, Troyka Group), Mr Segun Oloketuyi (MD, Wema Bank), Mrs Ibukunoluwa
Awosika (CEO, Sokoa Chair Centre), Mr Tonye Cole (CEO, Sahara Energy Group),
Mrs Adenike Ogunlesi (CEO, Ruff ‘N’ Tumble), Mr Rasheed Sarumi (CEO, SARO
Group), Mr Kunle Elebute (Partner & Head, Advisory Services KPMG), Mr Keith
Richards (CEO, Promasidor Nigeria), Mrs Uche Majekodunmi (CEO, Newton &
David), Mr Austin Okere (CEO, Computer Warehouse Group), Mr Niyi Yusuf (Country
Managing Director, Accenture Consulting Nigeria).
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| Mr. Niyi Yusuf, Country MD, Accenture |
The event kicked off at 12.05pm when the Master of Ceremony,
Ozue Ezeife mounted the podium and welcomed everyone in attendance after which
he invited Dr Enase Okonedo to give the welcome address. Dr Enase commended the
leadership of the SME Logic Club for the effort put into organizing and raising
funds for the event, she also noted the importance of entrepreneurs to the
development of any nation.
The welcome address was followed up with a keynote address
by Mr Niyi Yusuf (Country Managing Director, Accenture Nigeria). Mr Yusuf spoke
on building a sustainable business in Nigeria, noting that a sustainable
business is one that outlasts the founder and he gave 17 tips for building a
sustainable business.
The panel session which was moderated by Henrietta
Onwuegbuzie was next. It featured Mrs Ibukun Awosika, Mrs Adenike Ogunlesi, Mr
Austin Okere and Mr Tonye Cole. The CEOs shared with the audience, the story on
how they got into business, from how they got their business ideas to how they
got funding for the business and finally where the business is today
thereafter, a few questions were taken from the audience and the panel session
was wrapped up.
The business lunch was next and the CEO’s sat at lunch with
MBA students and took time to answer questions and provide valuable insights on
how to succeed at business. The tables were arranged according to the different
industries and had 10 MBA students per table. The sessions lasted for 2 hours
and the students made the best of the opportunity sharing ideas and getting
much needed advice from the CEOs.
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| CEO, Saro Group |
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| CEO, Ruff 'N' Tumble |
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| CEO, Wema Bank |
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| Chairman, Troyka Group |
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| CEO, Promassidor |
The event ended at 4.30pm with a photograph session and some
last minute interaction and exchange of contacts. It was a great event for all
the attendees who included the organizers, CEOs, students, staff and management
of Lagos Business School.
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| CEO, Sahara Group |
