·
The Commission for Insurance, Alhaji Mohammed
Kari,
·
The Managing Director, NICON Insurance Limited,
·
Distinguished members of the NCRIB Governing
Board,
·
All our guests here present,
·
Gentlemen of the Press,
·
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my honour and greatest
delight to welcome you all to August edition of NCRIB Member’s Evening being
hosted by NICON Insurance Limited. Permit me to
note that the impact of our cherished bi-monthly meeting is of no little
measure as underwriting firms now jostle to host the event. This further
underscores the fact that the relevance of insurance brokers in insurance
business cannot be undermined. The onus is now on Brokers to make the most of
the array of opportunities that this meeting and other engagements afford.
Once again, let me, on behalf
of the Council’s Governing Board and entire membership congratulate Mr. Bayode
Samuel on his appointment as the new Managing Director of NICON Insurance
Limited. As a matter of information, many eyes are on you to return the old
glory of “NICON”. I can only pray that God will grant you wisdom to excel in
office.
Dear Professional Colleagues,
it is a thing of delight that NICON is hosting this members’ evening which will
be the last in the series to be held under my presidency. In the wildest
imagination of many insurance brokers, going by antecedents, NICON Insurance partnering
Brokers is a wild goose chase; not to talk of hosting Insurance Brokers
meeting. But I like to inform you that my interaction with the top management
of NICON Insurance prior to this meeting, has proved to the Country.
Confidently, I can assure you that after listening to Mr. Bayode, you can
choose to either put all your eggs in one basket of NICON or think otherwise.
I want to personally place on
record that there is tremendous improvement in our attendance at Members’
Evening and every other meetings called by the Council. This further
underscores your interest in ensuring that the enduring legacies of our
founding fathers are not destroyed for which I am most delighted. APPOINTMENT OF NEW CFI
I am particularly elated today
to have the Commissioner for Insurance, Alhaji Mohammed Kari present at this
meeting. If I’m not mistaken, this is probably one of the first official meeting
of the Commissioner to any arm of insurance industry since he was appointed as
the Nigeria Commissioner for Insurance. We are happy with the renewed hand of
fellowship that has been extended to us by the Commisioner as indicated by his
attendance of the Governing Board meeting earlier today, as well as his
presence at this Members’ Evening. It is my hope that we will utilize this
platform to highlight some of the challenges facing brokering practice and
forge collaboration with NAICOM.
Without preempting discussions
at this forum, the NCRIB among other things is looking forward to the
strengthening of the law with respect to the provisions that made NCRIB
registration a pre condition to licensing by NAICOM. The step will further
enhance professionalism and buoy up the image of the industry. On behalf of the
Governing Board and entire membership of this Council, I like to say
Congratulations once again and be rest assured of our support for a very
successful tenure in office.
NATIONAL
ISSUE & BROKERS CONCERNS
Barely two weeks ago, the
pendulum of disaster swings again into aviation industry where four people
including a pilot were confirmed dead and other passengers on board sustained
injury of different magnitude in an ill fated Sikosky 76 helicopter owned by
Bristow Helicopter Nigeria Limited. We commiserate with the families of the
victims and pray that God will give them fortitude to bear the irreparable
loss. It is of grave concern to us not only because we are humane, but also
that we are into business of risk taking. We are using this medium to beckon on
the leadership of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), as a matter of
urgency to ensure that crashes of air craft in Nigeria becomes a thing of the
past. They should also ensure that no Airline Operator is allowed to operate without
adequate insurance cover. Adequate insurance will guarantee, that in case of
any unfortunate incident, the bereaved families will have something to fall
back on. On our part as Insurance Brokers, we have taken our awareness campaign
to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON). I like to report to you that we have
had meeting with the representative of the Association and a further meeting is
to be rescheduled for a later date, not only with AON, but also other
professional bodies in the Aviation Industry, to ensure that the mechanism of
risk taking provided by law is strictly adhered, to avoid double tragedy for
the families of victims.
For the umpteenth time, we are
using this medium to call on government to also throw its federal might behind
the entrenchment of insurance policies not only in Aviation Industry but all
other sectors. There are almost six compulsory insurance policies that have
been highlighted by our regulator; we need government support and baking to
enforce them. It is of common knowledge that incumbent administration will not
tolerate corruption of any sort, I like to say that avoidance of compulsory
insurances is high level of corruption, therefore, it must be included in the
ongoing fight against corruption.
May I use the opportunity of
the Commissioner’s presence at this meeting today to inform you that our
investigation reveals that sales of fake insurance certificates, especially,
third party motor insurance, is still a thriving business across the country.
It is disheartening. It is worrisome because, this criminal attitude is being
perpetrated under the nose of individuals saddled with the responsibility to
entrench discipline and integrity. Government should also partner insurance
industry to enforce all the compulsory insurances. Like I always say,
everything worth having, worth insuring!
NATIONAL
CONFERENCE AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
I am most delighted to inform
you that preparation towards the 2015 National Conference and Annual General
Meeting of our noble Council is on course. The Secretariat and the Event
Organizing Committee are now dotting the I’s and crossing the t’s to ensure a
very successful outing. The event is slated to hold between October 14 &
15, 2015. Details of the meetings would
be adequately communicated to you at the appropriate time. I implore you all to
please, block your diaries for those days, because, it promises to be educative
and informative.
Also, you will recall that this
year is an election year and will feature the investiture of the new President in
person of Mr. Kayode Okunoren at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.
WAII
CONFERENCE
At the inception of my tenure
as the 17th President of this Council, I disclosed my intention to devote my
attention, passion and experience towards making the broking profession and the
NCRIB a source of envy to other professionals. This has been evidence in all
our activities since that last two years. Permit me to reiterate that all our
activities were geared towards adding value. The 2015 West Africa Insurance
Institute Conference was held in Banjul, The Gambia. It was a very rewarding outing
as it provided opportunity to fraternize with other insurance practitioners
across the globe. Ideas were exchanged to re-sharpen our business acumen and I
believe that these ideas and knowledge are not going to be wasted.
IICC
MEGA CONFERENCE
May I sincerely appreciate all
delegates to the Maiden edition of Insurance Industry Consultative Council
(IICC) Mega Conference held in Transcorp Hilton, Abuja between July 26 and 28,
2015. The presence of Insurance Brokers at the meeting was highly commendable. I
crave your indulgence that every iota of knowledge garnered at this Conference
should be deployed to improve our personal lives and business.
GYM
I am happy that the Gym is
completed and awaiting commissioning. Special thanks go to the donor, Alhaji
(Dr.) Ahmed Salawudeen for his magnanimity. It is our believe that the
facilities will enhance work-life balance by insurance brokers.
CONCULSION
Like I earlier mentioned, this
Members’ Evening will be the last in the series to be held under my presidency,
I therefore like to use this medium to appreciate you all for you support, your
suggestions and advice which have kept us above the stormy sea. Once again, I thank
you all and God bless.
AYODAPO
A. SHODERU, FIIN, FCIB
PRESIDENT/CHAIRMAN,
GOVERNING BOARD
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