Nigerian Army lauds SA Life over sport sponsorship

　


Chuks Udo Okonta

The Nigerian Army has showered praises on Standard Alliance Life Assurance Limited for co-sponsoring its maiden Combat Sports Competition held at the old Nigerian Defence Academy premises in Kaduna from May 20-24.

The Vice Chairman of the Competition’s Planning Committee, Maj.Gen. S . U . Yusuf who is also the Nigerian Army’s Director of Training, expressed the good hearts of the Nigerian Army authorities for the underwriting company, noting that "Standard Alliance Life Assurance Limited has always been supporting us anytime we call on them."

While challenging other corporate bodies to emulate the good corporate social responsibility contributions the life underwriting company has been making to military activities in the country, Gen. Yusuf challenged the company not to look back in its kindheartedness.

Explaining earlier the reason behind the company’s sponsorship of military competitions to the Defence Correspondents at the event, the company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Nelson Egboboh, said "as a major provider of the group life policy to all military personnel, it is our belief that it is not only when they lose any member that we should show our concern. We must also be part of them when they hold events of this nature which bring them together for days of thrills and happiness."

The event was opened by the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika with the Kaduna State Governor, Alh. (Dr.) Muktar Ramalan Yero, in attendance while the finals and giving of trophies to winners on Friday was witnessed by the Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada and all the GOCs of the respective Army Divisions.

The respective cups for boxing and other combat sports were competed for by not less than 80 athletes from the different Army Divisions with the Nigerian Army I Division carting away not just more of the cups but the winning cup.

It could be recalled that Standard Alliance Life Assurance Limited co-sponsored the Army Golf Competition held in Zaria in 2011.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Standard Alliance Insurance Plc, Tom Imokhai, has been picked along with a few other Africans by the European-American University for its honorary doctorate degree award scheduled for May 18 in Togo.

A letter conveying the news from the Commonwealth of Dominica-based University explained that Mr. Imokhai will receive a conferment as Doctor of Arts Honoris Causa in Insurance and Risk Management in lieu of his outstanding contributions and achievements in the insurance sector.

In the same vein, the Institute of Credit Administration, ICA, has appointed Mr. Imokhai as its 2^{nd Vice President and member of its Governing Council just as he has also received nomination into the nation’s prestigious Business Support Group as a member.}

In a congratulatory letter signed by ICA’s Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Chris Onalo, the Institute stated that "with your unanimous endorsement as the 2nd Vice President and Council member, your business industry is well reflected in the characteristic objective of our great institute", noting further that "your appointment as the 2nd Vice President has taken effect and will expire February 2015."

On its part, the Business Support Group noted in its letter signed by its Chairman, Oba Otudeko, CFR, that the Standard Alliance Insurance Plc’s boss was considered based on his pedigree and his significance as a major stakeholder within the organized private, stating further that "we are confident that the BSG will benefit from your wealth of experience."

Mr. Imokhai who has been in the insurance business for not less than twenty three continuous years started his underwriting career with Rivbank Insurance Company, Port Harcourt, where he did his Youth Service in 1990 and later joined Guinea Insurance Plc, Lagos, as an Underwriting Officer in 1991.

He left for BAICO Insurance Plc the same year (1991) as Head of Reinsurance Department. While in BAICO, he rose to the position of a Manager and headed various departments like Motor, Marine, Reinsurance and Claims.
Imokhai joined NEM Insurance Plc in 1998 as Senior Manager Technical, later Deputy Controller in charge of Ikeja Operations and rose to the position of Deputy General Manager, Marketing, before joining Standard Alliance Insurance Plc in May 2007 as General Manager, Marketing and Business Strategy. He was appointed Acting Managing Director in December, 2007 and was confirmed as a Managing Director/CEO in 2008.

He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Insurance (1989) from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology and a Master of Business Administration (Strategic Management) from Edo State University (now Ambrose Alli University), Ekpoma.

He is an Associate Member of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria and London; member, Nigeria Institute of Management; a fellow of the Institute of Direct Marketing of Nigeria and fellow, Institute of Credit Administration (FICA).
Imokhai is an alumnus of the prestigious Lagos Business School having undergone its 18th Chief Executive Programme. He is also an alumnus of the elitist IESE Business School, University of Navara, Spain, where he was one of the
select-few African high profile chief executives for the Pan-African Advance Management Programme Module.

A recipient of the Patriotic Achievers’ Award, 2009, Credit Personality of the Year, 2009, Insurer of the Year, 2010 and Most Dedicated Professional award, among others, Imokhai has attended several local and international seminars. He is a member of the Apapa Club, Ikoyi Club, Dolphin Golf Club and Navy Sailing Club.