“Passing the Baton” to the Next Generation to Business Leaders – Photos from LEAP Africa’s 6th CEO Forum & Book Launch

On Tuesday 1st November 2011, LEAP Africa held its 6th CEO Forum themed “Key Principles for Building Sustaining Businesses: Insights from Global CEOs”

The event provided an opportunity for seasoned professionals to discuss succession planning and business sustainability.The speakers – Doug Smollan (Chairman/CEO of Smollan Group) and Martin Woolnough (MD/CEO of Nestle Nigeria) spoke about business sustainability along these points:

1. Four principles businesses should adhere to in order to be sustainable – an understanding of why it exists, a clear value system, reducing dependency and increasing alternatives, and understanding the stakeholders’ needs.
2. Everyone is a leader, given the right esteem, empowerment, energy and enthusiasm. However, the bad E‘s such as entitlement, envy and ego can hinder a business leader.
3. Succession planning is critical, hence it is necessary to spot talent early by recruiting the right people that share in the company’s values.
4. Businesses always need an entrepreneur that asks “What If ?”

It also served as an avenue for the launch of LEAP Africa’s fifth leadership book titled – Passing the Baton: A Guide to Building Sustainable Businesses. The book which has already began receiving positive feedback was reviewed by Fola Laoye (MD, Hygeia Nigeria Ltd).

The highpoint of the event was the official presentation of the book by Seye Oladejo (Special Adviser on Commerce and Industry to Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State)

According to SMEDAN (Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria) 80% of SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) die during the first five years. It is against this backdrop that LEAP Africa launched the CEOs Forum in 2005. Recognizing the vital role that SMEs play in economic development, LEAP designed the forum to equip entrepreneurs with the skills, tools and insights to build sustainable local businesses that will yield high value to their communities for generations.

See you at the next LEAP Africa event!

Photos from the event

Cross section of guests

Speakers at the event - Doug Smollan (Chairman Smollan Group), Fola Laoye (MD Hygeia) & Martin Woolnough (GMD Nestle Nigeria)

Martin Woolnough (GMD Nestle Nigeria) giving a speech

Seye Oladejo (Special Adviser on Commerce and Industry to the Governor of Lagos State), Ngozi Nzegwu (CEO Dugo Signature) & Shex Ladipo (MD Lisabi Mills)

Ndidi Nwuneli, Tunde Dabiri (Chairman LASPEC) & Biodun Shobanjo

Obo Henshaw giving a speech

Adesuwa Onyenokwe (Publisher TW Magazine), Tara Durotoye (Head of House of Tara) & Ekene Onu

Morin Desalu (MD Riskwatch Insurance Brokers)

Shobanjo (Chairman Troyka Holdings) & Dr Abdu Mukhtar (Chairman Aso Savings and Loans Plc)

Mosun Layode (Executive Dierctor LEAP Africa)

Toki Mabogunje (Principal Consultant - Toki Mabogunje & Co)

Ndidi Nwuneli (Founder LEAP Africa)

Doug Smollan

Mr Ajumogobia presenting an award to Doug Smollan

Ngozi Obigwe (COO LEAP Africa), Mosun Layode (Executive Director LEAP Africa) & Ndidi Nwuneli (Founder LEAP Africa)

The unveiling of the book Passing the Baton

Fola Laoye speaking on the book "Passing the Baton"

To find about LEAP Africa’s next event – The 8th Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards, Log on to their Website