Meet The CEO 2014

As is the tradition of welcoming guests to the Lagos Business School, Dr Enase Okonedo, the Dean of LBS welcomed students, invited CEOs and friends of the school to the second edition of “Meet the CEO,” –a Student Led Activity forum birthed by the MBA10 set of the SME Logic club. 

Dr Enase Okonedo

Dr Okonedo in her welcome address expressed her pleasantness at seeing distinguished Nigerians who have built successful businesses and she was particularly pleased at the blend of older and younger generation of CEOs. She urged participants to develop active interests in the economy’s business and not just be passive observers.

This year’s selection of the 12 CEOs according to the master of ceremony, Abiodun Abioye, revolved around three key criteria which were; business success, media awareness and sound ethical practises.

The CEOs in attendance were: Mr Bismarck Rewane (CEO, Financial Derivatives Company Limited); Mr Foluso Phillips,(CEO, Phillips Consulting Limited); Leke Alder, (Founder and Principal, Alder Consulting); Mrs Shade Ogunleye, (Co-founder, The Ice Cream Factory); Mrs Uche Pedro, (CEO, Bellanaija); Mr Obinna Ekezie,(CEO, Wakanow); Elo Umeh (MD/CEO, Terragon Group Ltd);  Ohimai Atafo, (CEO, Mai Atafo); Ruth Obih, (CEO, 3Invest Limited); Niyi Oguntoyinbo, (CEO, Metro Taxi); Akinwunmi Odumakinde, (MD, DeltaAfrik Engineering Ltd) and Efe Omorogbe, (CEO, Now Muzik).

A keynote address was delivered by Mr Bismark Rewane, in which he gave tips on how to build a successful business ethically in Nigeria.  The CEO of Financial Derivative concluded by saying corruption is a cancer and that it is even more lethal to any developing economy when combined with inefficiency. He therefore urged participants to be audacious and bold about confronting unethical practises.

Uche Pedro (Panel)

A panel session followed suit which was anchored by an LBS faculty, Henrietta Onwugbuzie. The selected CEOs - Mr Foluso Phillips, Leke Alder, Mrs Shade Ogunleye, Mrs Uche Pedro and Mr Obinna Ekezie took turns to share their challenges and perspectives on doing business ethically and successfully in the Nigerian environment.

Mr Obinna Ekezie (Panel)

The CEOs and students were then treated to a nice lunch, with about 10 MBA students to a CEO. The arrangement was such that a CEO had a table to himself with students interested in the industry of focus. This platform allowed for better interaction and opportunities to glean insights.

Moyosore Awopega gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the SME Logic team with a special appreciation of the Terragon Group, who was the sponsor of this year’s “Meet the CEO”.

A photograph session crowned the event at about 4.30 pm. It was indeed a great moment for all. 

Cross Section of Students

Cross Section of students

Mr Leke Alder's Table

Mr Akinwunmi Odumakinde's table

Mr Efe Omorogbe's table

Uche Pedro's Table

Mr Niyi Oguntoyinbo's table

Ruth Obih's table

Ohimai Otafo's table

Mrs Shade Ogunleye's table