Business

LCCI President Receives New Inducted Members, Says COVID-19 Portend New Opportunities That We Must Never Allow To Waste Away

Published

11 months ago

October 22, 2022

ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY BY PRESIDENT OF THE LAGOS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, ASIWAJU (DR.) MICHAEL OLAWALE-COLE, CON, HELD ON TUESDAY, 12TH APRIL 2022, AT THE COMMERCE HOUSE, VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS

REMARKS BY ASIWAJU (DR.) MICHAEL OLAWALE-COLE, CON, THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAGOS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, AT THE NEW MEMBERS’ INDUCTION CEREMONY HELD ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19th, 2022.

Olushola Okunlade Writes

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has remained the leading voice of the private sector through its sustained public policy advocacy, stakeholders’ engagement, and trade promotion activities.

The chamber has dedicated resources and energy to consistently promote and protect private enterprise development, and commercial and industrial activities to foster global competitiveness of the Nigerian economy. The goal of the Lagos Chamber is encapsulated in our mission which is: “To promote and protect the interest of its members and the business community at large through public policy advocacy, creation and facilitation of commercial and industrial opportunities, provision of business development service and observance of the highest standard of business ethics’’.

President / Chairman of Council Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) Asiwaju (Dr.) Michael Olawale-Cole, CON said the dreaded COVID-19 crisis availed it the “fillip to re-evaluate” its operation model, rejig its processes and procedures, broaden its scope of services, policy advocacy, initiatives, and programs to be able to adequately support the development of the business community and the economy in general.

LCCI President and Chairman of Council, Asiwaju Michael Olawale-Cole made the revelation Wednesday, in his address at the induction of new members.

The new 57 organisations at the induction ceremony on Wednesday are the third to be held in the year 2022 for worthy businesses that meet the criteria to become members of the prestigious Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Covid-19 pandemic and the economic crisis that came with it underscore the need for innovation and new models for organisations and institutions to meet emerging needs and expectations. As an innovative and dynamic institution, the crisis gave us the fillip to re-evaluate our operation model, rejig our processes and procedures and broaden our scope of services and policy advocacy initiatives and programs to be able to adequately support the development of the business community and the economy in general.

LCCI President said, “the challenges created by Covid-19 portend new opportunities that we must never allow to waste away. As economic activities gather momentum across the world, it is imperative for businesses to seek out and seize the opportunities emerging in the global recovery. This involves the diagnosis of actions taken, data, trends, and insights on lessons learned from the pandemic, and then using the outcomes to prioritize strategic measures to enhance the business operations and build strategic resilience for the future.

As we formally induct your company into the Lagos Chamber’s family today, I wish to emphasise the commitment of the Lagos Chamber to the cherished tradition of high ethical standards, innovation, continuous improvement, integrity, and good corporate governance in business practice.

“As business owners and managers, though your primary obligation is to maximise profit, I charge you to pay adequate attention to the integrity of your business transactions and practices, environment, climate actions, and social sustainability. I, therefore, enjoin you all to be committed to the core principles of high ethical standards, global best practices, and responsible corporate citizenship. Indeed, the Chamber has a code of business ethics to which all members are to subscribe.”

“The Lagos Chamber has been reinforced to continue to consistently provide services that meet the needs and expectations of our valued customers and esteemed stakeholders to catalyse private enterprises and organisations to achieve their full potential in terms of sustainable growth and global competitiveness.”

He noted: “I am confident that with your active participation in the activities of the Chamber, your businesses will derive tremendous benefits.”

The President congratulated the inductees as bonafide members of the LCCI, wishing them further successes and prosperity in their endeavours.

Business

FBNHoldings CEO, Nnamdi Okonkwo Bags Outstanding CEO Award

Published

2 days ago

September 19, 2023

Business Echo Magazine

L- R: Adewale Arogundade, Acting Company Secretary, FBNHoldings, Tolu Oluwole, Head, Investor Relations, FBNHoldings, Nweke (Junior), former Director General, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Oyewale Ariyibi, Executive Director, Finance FBNHoldings, Frank Aigbogun, Publisher, BusinessDay, and Wasiu Shafe, Financial Controller, FBNHoldings.

…as BusinessDay honours Top 25 CEOs Awards

Rashidat Okunlade Writes

Nnamdi Okonkwo, Group Managing Director of FBN Holdings Plc, has bagged outstanding CEO in the just concluded Top 25 CEOs Awards organized by BusinessDay that was held at the Ballroom of the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos last Saturday.

Left-Right: Adewale Arogundade, Acting Company Secretary, FBNHoldings, Tolu Oluwole, Head, Investor Relations, FBNHoldings, Nweke (Junior), former Director General, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Oyewale Ariyibi, Executive Director, Finance FBNHoldings, Frank Aigbogun, Publisher, BusinessDay, and Wasiu Shafe, Financial Controller, FBNHoldings.

In this year’s edition of the BusinessDay Top 25 CEOs, the publication recognised 25 Chief Executive Officers and Managing Directors of various listed firms on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NGX) who experienced outstanding financial development and also made important contributions to their respective industries.

FBNHoldings team that graced the event are Adewale Arogundade, Acting Company Secretary, FBNHoldings, Tolu Oluwole, Head, Investor Relations, FBNHoldings, Nweke (Junior), former Director General, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Oyewale Ariyibi, Executive Director, Finance FBNHoldings, Frank Aigbogun, Publisher, BusinessDay, and Wasiu Shafe, Financial Controller, FBNHoldings.

Business

Smartcash PSB Partners Simba Pay Limited, To Launch Inward International Remittance Service

Published

1 week ago

September 13, 2023

Business Echo Magazine

Smartcash PSB Partners With Simba Pay Limited, To Launch Inward International Remittance Service

Rashidat Okunlade Writes

Smartcash payment service bank, a subsidiary of Airtel Networks Nigeria, has entered into partnership with Simba Pay Limited, a Subsidiary of MFS Africa ” for inward International Remittance Services, which is designed to enable customers to receive money instantly from abroad into their Smartcash PSB Account

This partnership will enable customers to receive remittances from anywhere in the world, directly into their Smartcash accounts, by simply sharing their phone numbers, which also serve as their account numbers. In today’s interconnected world, where global transactions are becoming increasingly common, Smartcash PSB has said it recognizes the need for a secure and efficient solution for its customers.

Managing Director, Smartcash PSB, Muyiwa Ebitanmi, while commenting on the newly launched inward international remittance services, said it is set to solve another challenge with receiving funds from family and friends abroad for the financially excluded, by providing a hassle-free and efficient solution for individuals and families in the diaspora looking to send money quickly to their loved ones in Nigeria.

“With cross-border transfers, Smartcash has brought unprecedented convenience and speed to international remittance, making it easier than ever for Nigerians to enjoy seamless transactions at a global scale via their Smartcash accounts. We are certain that this service will not only improve the financial well-being of our customers but also contribute to the economic growth and spending capacity of Smartcash account holders in the country,” Mr Ebitanmi remarked.

Speaking on the partnership, Martin Mbonu, Director (MNOs) MFS Africa , while expressing his enthusiasm for the launch, said, “We are excited to partner with Smartcash PSB on this launch as it visibly simplifies international money transfers for customers. This product offers a new level of convenience and efficiency, providing users with a faster and more accessible way to receive funds from the diaspora, and we are glad to be a part of this solution-centric initiative,” he said.

As Smartcash hits its one-year service milestone, the launch of the SmartCash PSB International Remittances Service marks a significant innovatory for both the company, its customers and the Nigerian payment service bank market at large. By providing a fast, affordable, and secure solution for international remittances, SmartCash PSB is empowering Nigerians to effortlessly support their families and loved ones, regardless of geographical boundaries.

Smartcash PSB was launched in 2022, following the need for the unbanked to access banking activities at their convenience. For this reason, the Central Bank of Nigeria granted the PSB license to entities and investors who seek to comply with its policies and obtain its objective, to enhance financial inclusion by increasing access to deposit products, payments, and remittance services to individuals, small businesses, low-income households, and other financially excluded entities.

Business

7th ACT Foundation Breakfast Dialogue Set To Illuminate Path To Sustainable Development In Africa

Published

1 week ago

September 12, 2023

Business Echo Magazine

7th ACT Foundation Breakfast Dialogue Set To Illuminate Path To Sustainable Development In Africa

Rashidat Okunlade Writes

The Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation is gearing up to host the highly-anticipated 7th ACT Foundation Breakfast Dialogue (BFD) on October 5th, 2023, at the prestigious Lagos Oriental Hotel, Lekki Expressway, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The ACT Foundation Breakfast Dialogue has become a marquee event, drawing luminaries from diverse sectors, to tackle pivotal issues surrounding sustainable development in Africa. This year, the event takes on even greater significance as it zooms in on the transformative potential of Economic, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies in advancing sustainable development.

Themed ‘Advancing Sustainable Development in Africa: Unleashing the Power of Environmental, Social, Governance Strategies for Impact, this year’s Breakfast Dialogue aspires to bring together an eclectic mix of leaders representing various sectors, all poised to engage in a deep dive into how ESG principles can be leveraged to propel the sustainable development of organisations and, consequently, Africa’s broader sustainable development agenda.

Osayi Allie, CEO of ACT Foundation, underscored the significance of this event, remarking, “The 7th ACT Foundation Breakfast Dialogue promises to be a game-changer, offering a unique platform for leaders in the public, private, and social sectors to decode the immense potential that Economic, Social, and Governance principles hold for organisations of various scales. Effective implementation of ESG practices by African institutions can make a monumental contribution to achieving sustainable development across the continent.”

The event’s keynote speaker, Oyeyimika Adeboye, Managing Director, West Africa, Mondelez International, will take centre stage to share her profound insights on this pivotal subject. She will be joined by an esteemed lineup of speakers, including Marilyn Obaisa-Osula, Associate Director, ESG and Sustainability Services, KPMG; Dr. Eugene Itua, CEO of Natural Eco Capital; Tendai Matika, Manager of the Global Reporting Initiative, Africa; and Mudrakat Alabi-Macfoy, Head of Sustainability and Circularity at Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).

One of the day’s high points will be the unveiling of the finalists and winners of the 2023 ACT Foundation Changemakers Innovation Challenge. These exceptional individuals and organisations will secure grant funding and technical support from ACT Foundation, empowering them to amplify their innovative solutions and projects within targeted communities.

Interested participants can click here to register for the virtual session.