ADDRESS BY MRS. FUNMI BABINGTON-ASHAYE, FIIN, CHAIRMAN, INSURANCE INDUSTRY CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL (IICC) DURING THE 2018 IICC MEDIA RETREAT FOR INSURANCE CORRESPONDENTS ON FRIDAY 2ND FEBRUARY, 2018 AT GRAND INN & SUITES, IJEBU-ODE, OGUN STATE..
• Distinguished Members of the IICC here present
• Distinguished Members of the Press,
• Ladies and Gentlemen
It is with great pleasure that I convey the goodwill of the various Arms of the Insurance Industry under the umbrella of the Insurance Industry Consultative Council (IICC) and welcome you to the 2018 IICC Media Retreat for Insurance Correspondents.
It is pleasing to note the significance of the Media Retreat as a mark of recognition and acknowledgement of the importance of the media, especially in its position as:
➢ A veritable source of public education on Insurance and financial issues, and the platform for measuring Industry pulse and stability and/or challenging situations.
➢ The public opinion gauge about our Industry and partner in progress.
It is against this background that the Insurance Industry Consultative Council (IICC) has commenced hosting of the Media Retreat on behalf of the Industry.
As you may be aware, The IICC was formed with the aim of raising the profile of the Industry as well as increase its relevance to the nation’s economic growth. The objectives include:
1. Acting as an industry voice for national matters.
2. A platform for intra industry conflict resolution.
3. Promotion of the industry’s image and growth agenda.
4. Any other role that may serve the best interest of the insurance industry.
Concerted efforts have been put in place towards the attainment of the above objectives, but I must admit that much of the grounds gained is as a result of the immense publicity that the activities of the IICC and by extension, the Insurance Industry has received through the efforts of members of the press.
I therefore seize this opportunity to express our profound appreciation to the media for its immeasurable support. The media, especially the insurance correspondents have continued to demonstrate expertise in the knowledge of insurance.
You will all agree with me that a better understanding of Insurance operations by the media cannot be over emphasized. As we all know, insurance is highly technical and its reporting can only be accurate if the media continue to partner the industry through mutual education, trust and commitment. Let me therefore state that the IICC will continue to provide platforms for the continuous exchange of ideas with the media, especially in areas such as new and emerging industry regulations, ethics and professionalism, and financial literacy.
Media excellence in all its ramifications is desired and will be continually acknowledged. Examples abound of proficient media practitioners of the two genders who have been appointed to exalted national responsibilities in the country. In the insurance sector, a few insurance correspondents have crossed over into mainstream insurance practice, either as heads of corporate communications or as brand managers, while a few have attained top positions in management.
Distinguished members of the Press, permit me to use this medium to inform you that the 4th edition of the IICC National Insurance Conference is scheduled to hold from Sunday 8th July – Tuesday 10th July, 2018 at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. I wish to seize this opportunity to solicit your usual support in effectively covering and publicizing the Conference as it is the flagship event of the IICC.
Let me end this address by noting that the insurance industry today is in a precarious state, due to the various unfolding dynamics, calling for change of operation and strategies by Industry operators. The industry would be able to maintain an acceptable image in the eyes of the public, only if the media shows understanding and appreciation of the times that the industry is at the moment. I hereby solicit your support as you have always done.
I thank you for honoring our invitation to this retreat and advise that you take maximum advantage of the knowledge that would be imparted at this programme for the advancement of your profession and the quality of your being as modern days information managers.
Thank you for your attention.
MRS. FUNMI BABINGTON-ASHAYE FCII, FIIN
Chairman,
Insurance Industry Consultative Council
