Commissioner for Insurance/CEO, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) Mohammed Kari, President of NCRIB Kayode Okunoren and other industry stakeholders at the recently concluded NCRIB Retreat in Ilesha, Osun State.
WELCOME SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE NIGERIAN COUNCIL OF REGISTERED INSURANCE BROKERS, MR. KAYODE OKUNOREN, FCII, FCIB AT THE 2016 CEO’S RETREAT OF THE COUNCIL HOLDING ON THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016 IN ILESA, OSUN STATE
PROTOCOL:
• His Excellency, Executive Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, FCIB
• Her Excellency, Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori,
• The Commissioner for Insurance, Alh. Kari Mohammed,
• His Royal Highness, Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesa Land, Oba Alayelua Adekunle Aromolaran,
• The Management team of Old Mutual Nigeria,
• Our Guest Speakers,
• Members, Governing Board of our Council,
• All CEOs Present,
• Gentlemen of the Press,
• Distinguish ladies and gentlemen,
It is my utmost pleasure to personally welcome you to the 2016 edition of Chief Executive Officers’ Retreat of our Council. I like to register my sincere appreciation, firstly, to God Almighty, who granted us all journey mercies to the ancient city of Ilesa, in the State of Osun and to every one of you that deemed it fit to be present here today, in spite of other numerous challenges and engagements. I cannot pretend not to be aware of the challenges confronting our members in view of the inclement business environment in which we operate today. I reckon that this has in no doubt, affected our individual businesses in no little measures. It is my hope that there is a shining hope at the end of the tunnel. That you travelled long distances from your base to attend this Retreat serves to remind us all, just how important the Retreat is. I must note that your attendance at this retreat indicates your renewed desire to ensure that Insurance Brokering profession and the NCRIB sustain their growth, come what may.
I like to welcome into our midst, the Executive Governor of State of Osun, His Excellency, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, a Fellow of our noble Council and indefatigable Governor and the face of modern State of Osun. May I use this opportunity to appreciate Your Excellency for making out time to attend this Retreat in spite of his busy schedule. Just yesterday, a delegation of the Council led by my goodself was granted audience for a courtesy visit by His Excellency and the reception was very cordial.
May I also welcome the Commissioner for Insurance who is our Special Guest and a distinguished Board Member of our Council to this Retreat. It is my hope that members would in the course of this Retreat dialogue and interact with the CFI in such a relaxed atmosphere. I must not fail to extend my appreciation to the Management of Old Mutual for offering to be the Major Sponsor of this great event. May your sun never grow less.
Permit me to congratulate all Nigerians and particularly President Muhammadu Buhari for the joy of celebrating another Democracy Day in our Country. Needless to state that irrespective of the imperfections, democracy still remains the best system of government and we must all resolve to make it work. Definitely, it is not the best of times for the country in several spheres. While the economy has continued to witness a downward spiral, social and infrastructural amenities nation wide are not the most desirable. The renewed gale of crimes and criminality are starring us all in the face. However, great credits must be given to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari who has resolved to combat the hydra headed problems head long. With the administration’s unrelenting battle against corruption and the un-bending commitment to economic revival, it will only be a matter of time for us to get out of the woods. However, we must all join hands to assist the government in building a virile institution or system that will help to eliminate the challenges facing the country, even after the exit of this administration. I am always encouraged by the common saying that “Tough times never last, but tough people do!
You may recall that, one of the cardinal mandates of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers is to offer opportunity of continuous training and retraining to its members across all strata, towards making them more adaptive to the changing dynamics in their operations. It is in this vein that it has become a tradition to organize yearly Retreats for the top echelon of the Council under the yearly CEOs’ Retreat, rotated across chosen venues. The choice of the ancient city of Ilesa as venue for this years’ Retreat is apt and deliberate, not for any sentiment, but for its serenity and its historical significance in Nigeria. I am sure that the memory of this year’s Retreat will remain indelible in the minds of everyone that has chosen to attend. I like to also inform you that the choice of speakers and the theme of the event centers on adding values to our noble profession.
There is definitely no better time to focus on the impact of the flurry of legislations on our profession than now. Whilst it is impossible for any profession to operate without being regulated or controlled, there has been a continuous yearning by members for better understanding to enhance compliance. It is in this vein that the Events Organising Committee that planned this Retreat made Insurance Amidst Regulations the theme of the event. In doing justice to the paper, Dr. A.K Ahmad has been invited to deliver the theme paper. It is believed that Dr. Ahmad has the required pedigree to do justice to the paper, having had the lot of pioneering the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) as the Director General. I am sure you will enjoy listening to him.
Similarly, Barrister Olatunji Oyedokun, a foremost Corporate Secretary/Industrial Arbitrator will be doing justice to the second paper, titled “Managing Business Meetings” The second paper will identify those key factors that are germane to hosting and presiding over effective meetings that ultimately translates into corporate efficiency.
I like to invite you to our traditional ‘Asun cum Social Night’ having been repackaged. This provides us opportunity to wine down and further relax, far away from the hustling and bustling of the metropolitan life that most of us are used to. I must definitely not forget to appetize you all with the Novelty Football Match where I hope to be the captain of my side. If not for time, I would have loved to personally invite His Excellency, the Executive governor to that Novelty Match. I am personally determined to demonstrate some exceptional skills that will daze any team that may dare to confront my team.
All said, this Retreat will climax with an excursion to the Erin Ijesha Waterfall where members would catch a lot of fun that will make the whole event memorable.
Once again, I welcome you all to this great event and wish you a delightful Retreat.
KAYODE OKUNOREN, FCII, FCIB
PRESIDENT/CHAIRMAN, GOVERNING BOARD
