SME LOGIC Club holds Meet-The-CEO Conference at Lagos Business School

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 1^st 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.

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).

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.

CEO, Saro Group

CEO, Ruff 'N' Tumble

CEO, Wema Bank

Chairman, Troyka Group

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.

CEO, Sahara Group