DBNC 2024 impacts, sets the pace for entrepreneurs

Attendees converged at Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, as they were taken through pointers for business growth from three keynote speakers and two panel sessions.

The Managing Partner of Maurice Xandra Solutions, Linda Uneze, convened the programme with the theme “Sustainable Transformations: Innovation for Growth,” and it was anchored by a TV host with Arise Media Group, Aruoture “Rotus” Oddiri.

Linda Uneze’s quest for business excellence is never in doubt and it was what spurred her to set up the conference, which has given beneficiaries ways to adapt to challenging environments for the advancement of their businesses.

During the event, Uneze said, ”DBNC was created to ensure that we can have people who have the experience to share with other SMEs. I run a business and I know sometimes, it can be difficult, and at times I feel isolated because not everyone feels the unique hurdles that entrepreneurs face. I wanted a platform where people can inspire others by sharing how they were able to navigate some of the peculiar challenges that we find in our nation.”

The keynote speakers were the founder/Group CEO of Interswitch, Mitchell Elegbe; Chief Executive of BMG7even, Binta Max-Gbinije; and CEO of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Wole Adeniyi.

Adeniyi spoke on the essence of the size of the market while doing business and this is the reason most international companies love to do business in Nigeria.

Also, Elegbe noted that inflation is not strange to the country. Hence, business people should study history and learn what companies that experienced inflation did to survive.

The panel sessions were divided into two, and those in the first session were the Special Adviser to the President on Industry, Trade, and Investment, Federal Republic of Nigeria, John Uwajumoju; CEO of Heckerbella Limited, Yemi Keri; General Manager, West Africa, General Electric Healthcare, Dr George Uduku; Head Investment Banking West Africa, Rand Merchant Bank, Chidi Iwuchukwu; HCSE Director, BUA Cement and MD EnvAccord Limited, Ibrahim Salau; and Partner, Banwo & Ighodalo, Toyin Bashir.

Business experts in the second session were the CEO of Development Bank of Nigeria, Dr Tony Okpanachi; MD/CEO of Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd (NIGCOMSAT), Jane Egerton-Idehen; and Country Director & CEO, Dale Carnegie Nigeria, Patrick Nwakogo; Director, Governance and Sustainability, Sahara Group, Ejiro Gray; and GMD/CEO of Mojec Group, Chantelle Abdul.

The focus for the first session was “Doing Business in Nigeria: The Opportunities, Challenges, and Realities” while the topic for the second panel session was “Catalyst for Success: Strategic Business Growth Approaches.”

A major highlight of the programme was the business pitch which had four people contesting for the grant to advance their enterprises. An entrepreneur Ruth Ede won the grant of N5m after her business idea was said to solve problems and have the potential for immediate success.

Interestingly, one of the four businesses that contested for the grant received some money for its advancement because the judges deemed it worthy.

The judges on the business pitch were the CEO of Landmark Group, Paul Onwuanibe; the Executive Director of Wimbiz, Hansatu Adegbite; and the CEO of Arravo, Dr Ayo Adegboye.

It was a resourceful event that was made a success through the support of the following media partners – Business Day, Nairametrics, Punch, Business Insider, Streamline, E-motion, and BellaNaija.

Mimi Kasu collaborated with the programme and it was sponsored by Maurice Xandra Solutions, AA Holdings, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), UnoTelos, Arravo, Landmark, GE Healthcare, Guinness, Environmental accord, Clarendelle, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Josien, Mamador, and Obasanjo Farms Nigeria Limited (OFN).