Tuesday, 11 August 2015

ADDRESS BY MR BOLA TEMOWO, PRESIDENT/CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL, CHARTERED INSURANCE INSTITUTE OF NIGERIA DURING THE INVESTITURE OF LADY ISIOMA CHUKWUMA AS THE 47TH PRESIDENT/CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL OF THE INSTITUTE ON TUESDAY AUGUST 11, 2015 AT THE FEDERAL PALACE HOTEL, VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS.


PROTOCOLS
It is my utmost delight in welcoming you to this wonderful gathering of the crème of insurance practitioners and of very distinguished guests from all walks of life, who will be witnessing the Investiture of the 47th President of our great Institute and the 5th Female to occupy the exalted position in the fifty six years of our noble body.
The Investiture of Lady Isioma Chukwuma comes barely over one year after I received the mandate to serve our Institute as the 46th President and Chairman of the Governing Council and indeed, two years after my predecessor, Mr. FataiKayodeLawal received a similar mandate to serve as the 45th President.
Permit me to state that my tenure as the 46th President which started on Thursday June 19, 2014 was to end in June, 2015. However, the Council, in exercise of its statutory power extended the Institute’s year to Friday July 31, 2015 to accommodate the Maiden Insurance Industry Mega Conference and other activities.
Let me state that the theme of my Presidency, “Promoting the Legacy of Continuity” was fulfilled to the letter. The last one year therefore became a watershed in the history of our great Institute because of our decision to build upon the successes of the immediate past Presidency which was anchored on the Promotion of Insurance Education in Nigeria.
I am elated by the huge successes we recorded during the period as a result of our collective resolve to pursue the programmes and activities which gave our Institute a quantum leap because of the leveraging effect of rowing in the same direction.
The reports we presented during the Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday 29th July, 2015 at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, represented not just my achievements but that of our wonderful Council members, Elders of the Institute, Chairmen and members of Committees, Professional Colleagues, the Secretariat staff and, indeed our teaming members.
The lofty goals we set in pursuit of the Legacy of Continuity, were fervently followed and surpassed. They include:
·        Focus on the resuscitation of the development of the Institute’s building project in Victoria Island.
·        Commencement of academic activities at the College of Insurance which we re-designated as the Centre for Insurance and Financial Management Studies.
·        Establishment of an E-library
·        Strengthening of the study and teaching of Insurance in secondary schools and tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
·        Provision of adequately trained manpower at the Institute’s secretariat for improved service delivery.
The details of our efforts in respect of these items had been properly articulated in the Annual Report & Financial Statements and in the current edition of the Institute Journal. Let me state, however, that we are proud of the modest successes recorded, especially with regards to:
·        Our ability to consolidate the Institute’s hold on the drawings and documents which are requisite for commencement of work at the Victoria Island site. The approval of Lagos State which is a nod for commencement of work at the property is an overwhelming success.
·        The commencement of academic activities at the Centre For Insurance and Financial Management studies and the Landmark Commissioning of the Centre on Thursday July 30, 2015.
·        Massive support from individuals and companies by means of donations which aided the completion of all the vital structures at the Centre and making them functional. We were able to generate over N100,000.000 through deft marketing.
·        On-going establishment of an E-library at the Centre in collaboration with Mansard Insurance company Limited.
·        The establishment of an examinationcentre in Kigali, Rwanda in addition to the existing off-shore centre in Banjul, The Gambia.
·        Near-Conclusion of the review of the examination syllabus geared at broadening the scope of the exams.
·        Conclusion of a Strategy Retreat anchored by KPMG with the view of strengthening the Institute for modern challenges and future growth and development. The strategy retreat was fully sponsored by Sovereign Trust Insurance Co.
·        Donation of books to selected state ministries of education which was complemented with capacity building for insurance teachers.
·        Mid-wiving of the successful organization of the maiden Industry Mega Conference which was held from 26th to 29th July, 2015 at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, these are part of our modest successes whilst not taking much of your time to enumerate the rest achievements on this joyous occasion which is meant to celebrate Lady IsiomaChukwuma and to hand over the baton of leadership to her for continuation of what has now become a Rolling Plan for the growth and development of our great Institute.
Let me say that Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria is blessed once again with a rare gem.  Lady Chukwuma has been a committed member of our Governing Council since 1999, making her eminently qualified for the honour being bestowed on her today. She is not only qualified but also passion-driven.
One of the qualities she is known for is punctuality as she would be sitted for any meeting more than thirty minutes before the scheduled time. Lady Chukwuma’s contributions to deliberations are always key as she always maintains a dignified stance on issues on the floor of the Council. Her leadership qualities are therefore unquestionable and she has demonstrated these qualities in the various Leadership positions she had occupied, including:
·        Past Chairman, CIIN Offices Representatives’ Committee (ORC)
·        Past President, Professional Insurance Ladies Association (PILA).
·        Past Chairman of the Mandatory Continuous Professional Development Committee
·        Hon. Treasurer of the Institute
·        Chairmanship of the Governing Board of the Centre for Insurance and Financial Management Studies
·        Deputy President of the Institute
Lady IsiomaChukwuma’s loyalty to Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation is exemplary. She joined the Corporation in 1980 as a Graduate Trainee and remained loyal through the years, culminating in the recognition of her sterling qualities when she was elevated to the position of Acting Managing Director on the 18th of March, 2009 and subsequently confirmed as the substantive Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation on the 17th of June, 2009.
I have no doubts that Lady IsiomaChukwuma will bring her Leadership prowess to bear as she assumes the Presidency of this great Institute today. She was my worthy deputy in the last one year and will have no problems whatsoever in stepping into my shoes.
As I end my valedictory address, permit me to express my profound appreciation to everyone who made my Presidency a resounding success. As I earlier pointed out, It was a collective effort and, I believe this hand of Fellowship should be extended to Lady Chukwuma.
Once again, I welcome you to the Investiture of Lady IsiomaChukwuma as the 47th President and Chairman of Council of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria.
Thank you for your attention.


BOLA TEMOWO, FCII, FIIN
President/Chairman of Council
Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria

No comments: