Mr. GoodieMinabo Ibru, a lawyer and an investor in the Nigerian hospitality industry has emerged as the 123rd President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) for the next two years.

Prior to his appointment during the 123rd annual general meeting of the LCCI, Ibru was the deputy President of the Chamber. He succeeded Otunba Femi Deru.

After his return from the United Kingdom, Ibru formed the law firm of GM Ibru & Company, where he is currently Principal Partner.

The new LCCI helmsman is the Chairman of Ikeja Hotel Plc, owners of Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Towers. He is also Chairman, Tourist Company of Nigeria Plc, owners of Federal Palace Hotel and Suites. His other posts include Chairman, Hans Gremlin Nig. Ltd which acquired 51 per cent equity stake in Capital Hotels Plc, owners of Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Towers, under the privatisation programme of the Federal Government.

Mr. Ibru currently serves on the Board of several companies, including Guardian Press Limited, Dunlop Nig Plc, Crusader General Insurance Plc, Minet Nigeria Limited and Niger- Delta Exploration and Production Plc.

He is the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN), Nigeria’s apex private sector tourism body. He is also Executive Vice-President (West African Chapter), African Business Round Table as well as Chairman, NEPAD Business Group – Nigeria.

Mr. Ibru was noted for the dynamism he brought to bear while serving as President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. He is currently Honorary Consul of the Consulate of Lithuania to Nigeria and President of both Nigeria-Ethiopia Business Association and Nigeria-Russia Business Council.

The LCCI boss has several awards to his credit. These include the 2000 National Productivity Order of Merit Award, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Merit Award (2003), Nigerian Tourism Achiever of the Year 2003 Award, National Award of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in 2003 as well as FTAN Tourism Ambassador Award, 2011.

Ibru is an active member of several social and professional associations like Rotary Club, Metropolitan Club and Ikoyi Club, all in Lagos and Nigeria Bar Association. He is Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Institute of Directors (IoD), Chartered Insitute of Administration as well as Institute of Quality Assurance of Nigeria.