From left: Assistant Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, Tope Adaramola; Managing Director WAPIC Insurance Plc, Mrs Yinka Adekoya and Chief Executive Officer, Axa Mansard Insurance Plc, Mrs Yetunde Ilori at the event
TEXTS OF SPEECH DELIVERED BY CHAIRMAN, PLANNING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL INSURANCE CONFERENCE, MRS YETUNDE ILORI, AT THE MEDIA BRIEFING HELD ON MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2016 AT THE NIA HOUSE, 42, SAKA TINUBU STREET, VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS
• Members of the Planning Committee of the 2016 National Insurance Conference (here present)
• Gentlemen of the Media
I am most delighted to welcome you all to this media briefing which is aimed at creating the desired public awareness about the 2016 National Insurance Conference under the auspices of the Insurance Industry Consultative Council (IICC). It is expedient for me to first appreciate the media for the support you gave to the 2015 edition of the Conference which was well reported in your various media. May I also appreciate the general positive reportage which you have been giving to activities of the industry. We must all continue to bear in mind that both the insurance industry and the media are partners in progress, as the fortune or other wise of one would most certainly affect the other.
You may recall that the idea behind the hosting of a unified national conference by the insurance industry was the conception of the IICC as a way of projecting the Nigerian insurance industry as a united sub-sector, that would attract better respect and recognition by members of the public and relevant stakeholders. I must note that with the success of the 2015 Mega Conference, there has been better harmonious relationship between the various constituent bodies of the industry.
It is therefore heartwarming for me, on behalf of the Planning Committee to formally inform you that the 2016 National Insurance Conference will hold at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, from Tuesday July 10 – 13, 2016. The theme of the Conference is “Expanding National Resources and Infrastructure in Challenging Times”.
The theme of the conference could not have been more timely and apt than now, when the policy direction of the present administration is towards re-building a virile national economy through diversification and expansion of national and infrastructural resources. It has remained an irony that in spite of the nation’s past economic buoyancy, little premium was placed deliberately on building, maintaining and expanding national resources that would stand the test of time.
It is, therefore, quite commendable that the present administration has made economic diversification and infrastructural development its major policy thrust by committing so much money to critical sectors, such as works, roads and power.
On our part, let me reiterate that the insurance industry would like to complement the focus of the present administration in this direction through this national Conference. It is a known fact that there is no genuine effort by government aimed at revamping the national economy that would be sustainable without consideration paid to the pivotal place of. It is regrettable that before now, most efforts to reposition our national economy had often left the insurance sector out of reckoning, and this is ill-advised. The Insurance industry remains a critical player in the financial services sector and should be accorded its pride of place in all government programmes and policies.
In view of the need to stimulate a robust discourse on the subject, the Planning Committee has considered two erudite scholars and professionals of international repute, – DR. BIODUN ADEDIPE and MR. KUNLE ELEBUTE to handle the theme paper for the insurance conference
to present the theme paper and lead discussions on the profound issue. Similarly, there would also be a paper on Managing Risks Associated with non-oil resources exploration, to be delivered by Ambassador Biodun Olorunfemi, former DG of Nigerian Mining Corporation, Jos. while the paper on Insurance as a vehicle for agricultural development would be delivered by Dr. Adelaja Adesina with a rich repertoire of professionals, amongst them Dr. Femi Coker, National President of Farmers Association; the Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe, and the Central Bank Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele discussing.
Certainly, the much expected nexus between insurance and infrastructural development would be highlighted by the Hon. Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola in the paper entitled Expected Role of Insurance in Infrastructural Development.
The critical issues of compulsory insurance would most certainly take its rightful place in the Conference as Alhaji Bala Zakarya’u would moderate a panel of discussion, made up of the Inspector General of Police; The Comptroller General of Federal Fire Service; representatives of the built environment and the insurance industry.
In line with international standards, the conference would feature breakout sessions where delegates will discuss issues affecting the insurance industry and how the industry can contribute maximally to the critical sectors of the economy.
It is worthy of note that this year’s conference is expected to attract top government dignitaries, among them, His Excellences President Mohammadu Buhari, GCFR, who is expected to declare the event open and Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, who would be the Special Guest at the Grand Ball. The Hon. Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun is expected as the Guest of honour while Alhaji Mohammed Kari, the commissioner for insurance is the chief host.
Gentlemen of the press, it is the utmost expectation of the IICC that you will as usual give the desired publicity mileage to the event in your respective medium, bearing in mind that the conference would provide another avenue for our industry to showcase its brand and enhance its relevance to various stakeholders and the nation at large.
I most sincerely thank you for sparing time to attend this briefing.
God bless.
YETUNDE ILORI (MRS)
CHAIRMAN INSURANCE CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE
