SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE NIGERIAN COUNCIL OF REGISTERED INSURANCE BROKERS, MR. ROTIMI EDU, mni, LLB, BL, LLM, ACII (Lon), FCIB AT THE AUGUST 2022 EDITION OF NCRIB MEMBERS’ EVENING HELD ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022 IN LAGOS
• Distinguished members of the NCRIB Governing Board,
• The Managing Director, Leadway Assurance Company Limited; Mr. Tunde Hassan-Odukale
• Our Special Guest, Lagos State Commissioner of Police ably represented here
• All our guests,
• Gentlemen of the Press,
• Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am very delighted to welcome you all to August 2022 edition of the NCRIB Members’ Evening. Permit me to use this opportunity to appreciate all members across the nation, especially, our living ancestors, distinguished Board Members and all other professional colleagues for your unflinching support since the commencement of this administration. Our modest achievements, centered on our Thrust of Office, “Broker Centrism”, wouldn’t have been possible, but for your support. So far, we have been able to achieve a better branding for the Council locally and internationally, more public engagement through our various activities such as the Maiden Lawn Tennis Competition, the Insurance Walk and we will not relent on our oars until we diligently pursue our vision of an industry that is valued by all Sectors, including government to the delight and satisfaction of members. It is on that note I will like to urge you and seek more of your cooperation, encouragement and suggestions to move our Council forward. Your attendance and participation in our events are always a source of encouragement. May I implore all the Area Committee Chairmen to always encourage their members to attend and participate virtually in all programs organized at the national level. We have endeavored to make our events most resourceful and educative.
Today, aside the Management of Leadway Assurance Company Limited, we have in our midst this afternoon, representative of our indefatigable Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi fdc, mnim, who will be giving us tips on Anti Kidnapping, a social malaise that has attained preposterous height in our country. That renowned UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan once said, “Knowledge is power, Information is liberating….” Information shared can help our decision to avoid being victims of this dastardly act. I will like to implore you to take the most of the information that would be shared on this topic. No one prays to fall prey, but information is needed.
It is auspicious for me to congratulate my very good friend, Mr. Tunde Hassan-Odukale and his team from Leadway Assurance Company Limited, our August visitors for hosting this August edition of the Members’ Evening. At the appropriate time, the Management team of Leadway Assurance will be called to address this august gathering. I hope you will make the best use of the time to inform our numerous members, present here physically and virtually.
• NCRIB 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
I am most delighted to inform you that one of the flagship events to mark the Council’s 60th Anniversary, which commenced in March with the Unveiling of Mascot and Anniversary Logo is the Diamond Colloquium and public presentation of the NCRIB 60th Anniversary Book and Compendium of Registered Insurance Brokers. It is a two events rolled into one. The auspicious event is billed to hold at Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on Thursday, September 29, 2022. Happily, the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN will Chair the event, while his Lagos State counterpart, His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu will give the keynote address. The theme paper: “NCRIB @60: Connecting the Past to the Present, Redefining the Future” will be delivered by the Chairman, Heirs Group, Mr. Tony Elumelu. Permit me to seize this opportunity to formally invite you all to the event.
Similarly, there will be Night of Honours and Grand Ball to round up the event later in the year in the same Marriott Hotel, Ikeja on Thursday, October 26, 2022. The Chairman of Zenith Group, Mr. Jim Ovia is the Special Guest of Honour. More information would be shared on the events appropriately. Your support and cooperation is needed to make all the events remarkably successful.
• NATIONAL CONFERENCE AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
I am most delighted to inform you that preparation towards the 2022 National Insurance Brokers Conference & Exhibition and the Annual General Meeting of our Council has commenced in earnest. The Conference and AGM would be held in Yar’adua Events Centre in Abuja from Wednesday, October 12 to Thursday, October 13, 2022. The Secretariat and the Events Organizing Committee are working assiduously to ensure that the events are remarkably successful.
• NCRIB STANDS ON PRAN
You would recall that one of the focuses of the Governing Board is to continually give value to members and enhance their compliance with regulatory requirements expected of them. It is this focus that made the Council pursued diligently issues relating to the new Fire Rating Guide by PRAN. It is hoped that with the commencement of the new Rates. Members will be adequately informed and comply for the good of our market.
• INDUSTRY COLLABORATION
I certainly believe that the Nigerian Insurance Industry is gradually coming out of its years of blighted image. With array of activities that the Council has paraded over the years, together with the efforts of my predecessors in office during their respective tenure, I am confident that we are gradually gaining better branding and respect in the eyes of the public. We need to consolidate on this and do more until the Industry becomes the toast of the society. It is on that note I will like to urge all the various arms, the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Insurance Loss Adjusters of Nigeria (ILAN) and the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) to collaborate for the growth of the industry. We should all come to terms with reality that we are cooperators and not competitors for our collective growth.
• NCRIB PUBLICATION OF REGISTERED MEMBERS IN COMPENDIUM:
You would note that one of the ways to celebrate our Council at 60 is the printing of a Compendium of the Council. Regretfully, after several entreaties on our platforms for Members to submit their Company’s details, many have not submitted. The implication is that Management would not publish names of such companies in the epochal publication as management will not give credence to any member that has chosen to be ‘faceless’.
• 2022 BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL TRIP:
The Broker-Centric Policy Thrust is intended to make Insurance Brokers as the cardinal focus of this administration. I am delighted to inform you that the Council is putting up efforts to organize the 2022 International Business Training for Members of the Council. The International Business Trip is intended to hold from Saturday, 11 – Friday, 18 November, 2022 in Turkey. The International trip promises to be enriching and delightful. Aside from the stimulating world class lectures, the organizer would also facilitate memorable visits for delegates to world class tourist centers in Turkey while there would also be arrangement for strategic courses from which delegates would earn certificates. It is my hope that many members would attend this important trip by registering their interest with the Secretariat.
• FELICITATING WITH CIIN AND NIA
Permit me to seize this opportunity to congratulate the new Chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mr. Segun Omosehin, as well as the newly elected President of Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mr. Edwin Igbiti. I am sure that the election of the two gentlemen to the exalted position of the two bodies were well deserved, going by their pedigree in the industry. We promise that the Council will sustain the tempo of relationship with the bodies under their leadership as we wish them well in office. Our Council wishes to re-affirm its willingness to forge closer relationship with the two bodies for the good of the entire industry.
CONCULSION
As I close, I cannot fail to appreciate Leadway Assurance for electing to host this event. Suffice it to state that the Council and Leadway is enacting the shared heritage which existed between both institutions for ages. I have no doubt that Leadway’s bottom line will be northward even more with this hosting as I commend this great Company to all Brokers operating in the market.
Thank you and do have a splendid evening.
ROTIMI EDU, mni, LLM, BL, LLB, ACII (Lon), FCIB
PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN, GOVERNING BOARD
