Industry experts and top government officials on Thursday, November 15, gathered at the Lagos Business School (LBS) Alumni Association conference to discuss the new Company and Allied Matters Bill passed by the Nigerian Senate in May 2018.
Themed ‘The New Company and Allied Matters Bill and its relevance to Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria’, the 2018 edition of the annual Alumni Day provided another platform for LBS alumni members to air their opinions, present challenges and proffer solutions on an issue that directly affects their businesses.
Delivering the opening remarks at the conference, LBSAA President, Dr Clare Omatseye admitted that a lot of business owners and managers face grueling situations in complying with some of the harsh government policies that exist in Nigeria’s business clime. Dr Omatseye added, “We know the present government is doing a lot to change the narrative of the ease of doing business in the country. This is why we are here to discuss how this new bill is going to usher in considerable changes to the way corporate Nigeria is run”.
Guest speaker at the conference was Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, who fielded questions from the keen audience on topics ranging from taxation to Land Use Charge, and other pressing concerns.
Dr Oduwole said, “The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), chaired by the vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) is implementing enabling business environment interventions across the country with Federal Government ministries, departments and agencies. We work to ensure their processes and regulations are carried out easier and faster especially for Small and Medium-size businesses.”
“Interventions such as the Alumni Day conference organised by LBS are beneficial to the economy. We appreciate platforms where we can discuss issues and get feedback because we need the private sector to validate our work. The Company and Allied Matters Bill is especially exciting because it is the first time in 28 years that our corporate legislation is receiving an overhaul, the bill has just passed through the First Reading in the House of Representatives and we hope private sector will continue to encourage the House to pass the bill,” she added.
The guest speaker’s session was followed by a panel of discussants who took the conversation further by answering questions bordering on the conference theme from perspectives other than that of the government. Panelists were Acting Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Ms Mary Uduk; CEO Chellarams Plc, Aditya Chellaram; and CEO, Proshare Nigeria, Olufemi Awoyemi. LBS Professor of Corporate Governance, Fabian Ajogwu moderated the panel.
The LBS Alumni Day is one of the avenues through which the School provides continuous education and lifelong learning to past students.
