By Ngozi Onyeakusi — History is to be reenacted in the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) as the Council would be investing its second female President in 57 years of existence.
Dr. (Mrs.) Bola Onigbogi, an astute Insurance professional and Broker for more than two decades will be taking over the mantle of leadership of the Council at a time when the Council needed to further entrench its position in the nation’s economy as an inevitable link in all insurance placements.
She had served on the Board of the Council on strategic committees, peaking with the position of Deputy President from where she would be installed President. The investiture would be attended by the crème of the professions, commerce, organized private sectors and government. It is expected that the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo would be the Special Guest of Honour while the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi would be the royal father, among others.
It will be recalled that Mr. Tinubu emerged as the 19th President of the Council in October, 2017, and he has served for a period of two years as stipulated by the constitution of the Council.
Mr. Tinubu’s tenure would be remembered for furthering institution building and effective manpower development of members, effective inter-industry and international relations, corporate process and procedures, giving the Council and its members an enhanced image in the eyes of the public.
Aside from consolidating on the progress and accomplishments of her predecessors, MrsOnigbogi’s tenure as president would most likely focus on enhancement of the image of Insurance Brokers for better acceptability and the promotion of professionalism to allow them stave off challenges besetting intermediaries from IT.
Born in Ilesa, Osun State, she is a Chartered Insurance practitioner, educationist, hotelier and philanthropist. She had her secondary education at Ilesa Grammar School, from 1973 to 1977 where she obtained her West African School Certificate.
Her quest for the teaching profession prodded her to enroll at the Government Teachers Training College in 1977 and she obtained the Teachers Grade Two Certificate in 1978. She was also later admitted at the University of Ife (Institute of Education, otherwise known as Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo) where she obtained her National Certificate of Education (NCE) in 1983.
Mrs. Onigbogi had her one year compulsory National Youth Service Scheme as a Teacher at the Baptist Academy, Obanikoro Lagos. Still exploring the world of education, she was employed by the Lagos State Teaching Service and was deployed as a school teacher in Aje Comprehensive High School, Lagos, where she worked between1984 to 1992.
In a twist of fate and destiny, Bola Onigbogi found herself in the new field on insurance having gained employment with Limo Insurance Brokers Ltd as a Senior Superintendent rising from the position of Senior Superintendent to Assistant General Manager, General Manager and Deputy Chief Executive in 1996.
Fired by strong entrepreneurial spirit, Dr. Onigbogi started her own company, CBO Insurance Brokers Ltd, where she has been the Managing Director and CEO till date.
In order to oil her insurance professional career, Bola Onigbogi attended the Prestigious London School of Insurance in the United Kingdom where she took the professional qualifying examinations of the Chartered Insurance Institute of London and a Higher National Diploma Certificate of the Institute with a Distinction in Risk and Insurance.
She was consequently admitted as an Associate Member of the Chartered Insurance Institute of London (ACII) in 1998 and that of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (ACIIN). Afterwards, she also obtained a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the Business School of Netherlands.
A highly versatile profession, Dr. (Mrs) Onigbogi’s intellect and social relationship earned her strategic roles and positions in several social and professional orgnisations. Aside from being a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants of Nigeria (IMC) and Past President of the Busy Bees Society of the Cathedral of Church of Advent, Life Camp, Abuja, Dr. Onigbogi is the First Female President of the Hotel Owners Forum Abuja (HOFA) during which she provided effective leadership to the over 600 strong members of the Association.
She was a past President of Inner Wheel Club of Garki, Abuja Humanitarian Services, as well as Member of the IBB Golf Club, Abuja.
A highly professional and versatile insurance Broker, Dr. (Mrs.) Onigbogi has had a very robust experience and made invaluable contributions to the insurance industry through the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), the Professional Insurance Ladies Association (PILA) and most importantly, the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB).
A member of the Faculty of Insurance Broking of the CII London, Dr. Onigbogi was also Chairman of the Abuja Chapter of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria and the Professional Insurance Ladies Association (PILA), during which she recorded landmark feats. She was also a notable member of the Women in Insurance Broking.
It is noteworthy that Dr. (Mrs.) Bola Onigbogi had more than a decade experience on the Governing Board of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, which is the highest decision making organ of the professional institution, occupying strategic positions as Board Member; Hon. Auditor; Hon Treasurer, Vice President and later Deputy President, from which she is taking up the mantle of leadership of the 57 year old Council as the 20th and second Female President.
Her footprints on the Council have remained inimitable through her meritorious services as Chairman and member of several strategic committees of the Council. Among others, she has held the positions of: Member of the Management Committee of the Council, Member of the Society of Fellows, Member of the Special Duties Committee
Also, Deputy Chairman of the Investigation Committee, Vice Chairman of the Board of Fellows, Vice Chairman, Government Liaison Committee, Deputy Chairman of the Finance and General Purpose Committee, Chairman of the Membership and Registration Committee
A woman with the Midas touch, Dr. (Mrs.) Onigbogi, in spite of her professional calling gives ample attention to assisting the needy and the underprivileged in the society through her pet project- The Bola Onigbogi Old People and Children Care Foundation (BOOPCCF). She is also the Vice Chairman of Horizon Group of Companies whose member firms are Horizon Stock Brokers Ltd (a member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and Horizon Bureau De Change.
It is quite auspicious that Dr. (Mrs.) Bola Onigbogi is taking up the mantle of leadership of the NCRIB to establish a greater reputational value for the insurance broking profession and sustaining the legacy of service and professionalism which has been bequeathed by the previous leadership. Surely, the new President has what it takes to excel in these arduous task, going by her sound academic and professional background, solid social networks and strong leadership based on integrity and unselfish devotion to duties.