THE Nigerian Insurers Association, NIA, the umbrella organization for all insurance companies in Nigeria last week rolled out the drums to celebrate its founding father and founding chairman of the African Development Insurance Company (ADIC), now known as NSIA Insurance, Prof. Joe Irukwu who recently marked his 80th birthday.
The birthday dinner which was held at Villa Medici in Victoria Island was attended by leading personalities in the industry, including CEOs of insurance companies, CEOs of banks, members of the academia, as well as friends of Prof. Irukwu.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association, Mr. Godwin Wiggle described Prof. Irukwu as a leader, teacher, mentor and role model for all practitioners in not only the Nigerian insurance industry, but in the entire continent. He lauded his colossal impact in the industry, pointing out that without his contribution, the NIA may not have been. According to him, the foundation he laid has been instrumental to the association's progress.
"Prof. Irukwu is an enigmatic leader and trailblazer who scored many firsts in his distinguished career in insurance. His contributions in ensuring a sound, viable, respected and noble profession is unmatched. His contributions at the NIA Governing Council are so inspiring and instructive that members look up to him for guidance, especially when faced with difficult decisions," he said.
Wiggle also extolled Irukwu's literary contributions to the industry. "His scholarly works transcends our borders and have become a light unto the path of many insurers, not only in Nigeria but in the entire continent of Africa," he stated, describing him as the emporium of insurance history and knowledge.
In his own tribute, immediate past Chairman of the NIA, Mr. Wole Oshin described Irukwu as an inspiration to all in the insurance industry in the continent. According to him, his welcoming personality attracted both the young and old who sought him for his advice on various issues. He thanked Irukwu for the way and manner in which he resolved many thorny Council issues, adding that his combined knowledge for the workings of government, the academia and the insurance industry remain unmatched.
Speaking in the same vein, General Theophilus Danjuma (Rtd) who chaired the event, described Irukwu as a great Nigerian who has served the country well, not only in insurance, but also in its political development.
In his response, Prof. Irukwu thanked the NIA for the honour.
Prof. Joseph Ogbonnaya Irukwu (SAN) is a lawyer, educationist, chartered insurer, awards-winning author of over 20 books, and holds several professional and academic Fellowships. He is Nigeria's first Professor of Insurance and Insurance Law and a leading African authority on corporate governance, insurance and risk management.
Popularly known across the continent as 'Africa's Mr. Insurance,' he is the past President of the West African Insurance Companies Association (WAICA), Founding President of the Professional Reinsurers' Association, past President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, past Chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association, pioneer Chairman of the Nigerian Students' Loans Board (now Education Bank) and pioneer Managing Director of Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation. He was also the President of the Nigerian Insurance Law Association, and Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Review of Insurance Laws in Nigeria. He holds the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) and Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
In 1990 at the International Insurance Conference in Paris, he became the first African to receive the John S. Bickley Gold Medal for Excellence, the highest individual award in insurance and risk management. He is the founding chairman of the African Development Insurance Company (ADIC), now known as NSIA Insurance and the Cargo Defense Fund of the Nigerian Shippers Council. He is also the former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
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