By Chukwudi Nweje
Lagos Business School (LBS) will, on April 12, host the maiden edition of the Lagos Business School Family Business Conference.
The conference, a brainchild of the LBS, aimed at inspiring enterprising families in Africa to ensure family cohesion, long-term business success, as well as ethical and societal impact, comes up at the Lagos Continental Hotel.
Director of the Family Business Initiative at LBS, Okey Nwuke, who announced this during a press conference at the weekend, said the LBS Family Business Conference will, among other deliberations, feature discussions by family business leaders on the impact of family dynamics, governance, succession on survival and sustainability of family-owned businesses.
Ibukun Awosika, chief executive officer of The Chair Centre Group, who is keynote speaker, will be joined by a galaxy of business leaders to discuss the theme, ‘From Family Enterprise to Family Institution: Climbing the Longevity Ladder’.
The other speakers, moderators, and panellists include the Dean of the Lagos Business School, Chris Ogbechie; Director of the LBS Family Business Initiative, Okey Nwuke; Group Managing Director, Saroafrica, Rasheed Sarumi; Senior Partner and Head of the Family Business Practice, KPMG, Nigeria, Segun Sowande; Senior Partner and Chairman, McKinsey Africa, Acha Leke; Managing Director of Construction Kaiser Ltd., Igbuan Okaisabor; Chairman of Peace Mass Transit Ltd., Samuel Onyishi, and Executive Director of Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Uzoma Ezeoke.
Others are Director of EDC, Pan Atlantic University, Nneka Okekearu; Executive Director of SIMS Nigeria Limited, Ikechukwu Eyisi; Executive Director of Cochairs Group, Cosmas Maduka (Jnr); Managing Partner at Sahel Capital, Mezuo Nwuneli; Chief Executive Officer of Slot Nig. Ltd., Nnamdi Ezeigbo; Managing Director of L-and-Z Integrated Farms Nig. Ltd., Muhammad Abubakar, and the Chief Executive of Rite Foods, Saleem Adegunwa.
Nwuke said the LBS-FBI aims to make intellectual contributions by positively impacting African family businesses through advisory services, case studies, teaching materials, seminars, conferences, and family business awards.
“Family enterprises often start small, with a focus on meeting the needs of the immediate family members. However, as the business grows and becomes more successful, the family business must transition from a mere enterprise to a strong family institution.
“This transition involves implementing structures and processes that ensure the long-term sustainability and continuity of the business across generations. “This conference delves into the captivating climb family-run businesses undertake as they ascend the longevity ladder, evolving from commercial ventures into cherished family institutions. This journey transcends mere profit-driven goals, instead focusing on forging a robust legacy and a profound sense of purpose that endures for generations.”
Through the initiative, the LBS hopes to foster capacity building, knowledge dissemination, academic and industry research, as well as self-financing and sustainability.