LAGOS/Nigeria: Chief Barnabas Olise, Managing Director and CEO of Cakasa (Nig.) Company Ltd., has emphasized the need for organizations to embrace innovation to remain competitive in an ever-evolving economy. He made this assertion while delivering the keynote speech at the Annual Dinner of the Institute of Change Management (ICM) held on Saturday in Lagos.
Speaking on the theme, “Adapting to a New Reality: Change Management in a Challenging Economy,” Olise highlighted the critical role of change management in navigating complex organizational transformations. He stressed that organizations must “innovate or stagnate” to thrive amid Nigeria’s current economic challenges.
“Change management is the process of preparing human resources to adapt and thrive in response to organizational changes, ensuring the objectives of such transformations are achieved,” Olise said. He further identified essential tools for effective change management, including clarity of vision, risk management, innovation, and a well-defined purpose.
In his welcome address, ICM President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Mr. Nat Osewele, FICM, reaffirmed the institute’s dedication to fostering excellence and strengthening the community of change leaders. Osewele lauded ICM’s initiatives over the past year, particularly the quarterly webinars, ‘The ICM Learning Series.’
“These sessions have addressed critical topics like digital transformation, adaptive leadership, and stakeholder engagement, featuring distinguished industry experts who shared actionable insights,” Osewele noted. He also emphasized ICM’s commitment to promoting change management as a core discipline across various sectors through strategic partnerships and thought leadership initiatives.
ICM Registrar, Mr. Joseph Anetor, FICM, reiterated the institute’s mission to regulate, train, and certify change management practitioners in Nigeria. Anetor revealed plans to expand the institute’s activities in 2025, including the launch of the CEO’s Spotlight, a platform designed to provide members with invaluable insights on strategy and change management from prominent executives.
“Our mission to build skilled professionals supporting organizations in adapting to a changing world is yielding remarkable results,” Anetor said.
The event also featured the induction of seven new members into ICM, including Olanrewaju Aina, Janet Tolowoetan, Opeyemi Adeyemi, Andrew Aghahowa, Timiebi Selekere, Udofia Idara, and Edun Oladapo Emmanuel.
The dinner, attended by captains of industry and other distinguished guests, concluded with the presentation of a gift to the keynote speaker, Chief Olise, by Chief Femi Adesina, former presidential spokesman to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.
