The President & Commander-in-Chief, Federal Republic of Nigeria

His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR,

Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo Olu

Hon. Minister of Finance, Budget & National Planning

Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed

Commissioner for Insurance, Nigeria, Mr. Olorundare Sunday Thomas

President & Exco members of AIO,

Secretary General of AIO, Mr. Jean Baptiste

Chairman & GC members of NIA,

President & Council members of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN)

President & members of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB)

CEOs on Insurance Companies here present

Members of the Local Organizing Committee

Delegates to this Conference

Gentlemen of the Press

Ladies & Gentlemen

 

 

 

Dear Esteemed Participants,

On behalf of the Local Organizing Committee and entire Nigerian Insurance Market, AIO Executive Committee and the General Assembly, I warmly welcome you to the 47th African Insurance Organisation Conference and Annual General Assembly, which has indeed become a reality today.

There is no doubt that Year 2020 was one of the most challenging in contemporary history due to the coronavirus pandemic which caused widespread deaths and disruption to economic activities. The strict health protocols and travel restrictions introduced by governments around the world led to cancellation of major international conferences and seminars, including this conference which was scheduled to hold from 31 May – 3 June 2020.

With the increase in vaccination, relaxation of travel restrictions, decrease in global infection rate and reduction in fatalities all over the world, the Nigerian Insurance industry, and Executive Committee of the AIO concluded that the Conference could now hold safely in September 2021 in the hope that the pace of vaccination will continue to improve while infection rate and fatalities trend downward.

Conference venue capacity is 1300 but due to government protocols following the resurgence of the third wave, the LOC has limited the number of physical attendees to 600 (less than the 50% capacity required by the Nigerian Health authorities for conferences).

In other to accommodate participants who are unable or unwilling to be physically present but would like to enjoy the conference from the comfort of their different locations, the LOC and AIO Executive Committee resolved to host a hybrid conference with limited physical presence, and I am happy to report that we have worked with the AIO Secretariat to deploy state of art technology to deliver a successful conference.

The theme of this conference which is: “REBUILDING AFRICA’S ECONOMY – AN INSURANCE PERSPECTIVE” is therefore coming at a time when the corona virus pandemic has severely impacted economic activities all over the globe. Several conferences across different markets have focused on the impact of COVID-19 on the industry from various perspectives.  This theme paper will attempt to look at broader issues of how insurance can contribute to and benefit from the efforts at rebuilding the African economy post COVID. It is our hope and indeed expectation   that participants will find the presentations insightful, enriching and of significant value.

Dear Esteemed Participants, it is for this reason that the Local Organising Committee and the African Insurance Organisation have taken ample time to put at your disposal the creme of the finest insurance industry thought leaders as Speakers and Panellists. We are optimistic that you will find the conference, interesting, rewarding, insightful and exciting.

It is our hope that participants will take the opportunity of this conference to experience immeasurable Nigerian hospitality; delicacies, warmth, rich cultural heritage, abundant tourism potentials typified by the beaches and mangroves and above all, the alluring beauty of Lagos and the ambience of the conference venue.

Apart from being one of the fastest growing cities in Africa, Lagos has some beautiful tourism sites, and they are all yours to explore.

I cannot conclude this address without formally welcoming our dear President and Commander in Chief, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for making history as the first President to attend an Insurance Industry event, our supervising minister, Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, (Hon. Minister of Finance, Budget and national Planning) who has showed immense support from the first day we got confirmation that we would be hosting the 47th edition of this conference, Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Insurance and Actuarial Matters, ably led by the Chairman, Hon. Darlington Nwokocha, leaders of the various arms of the industry especially, our Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. O.S Thomas for his invaluable support.

Also worthy of mention our Chairman, Mr. Ganiyu Musa without who we wouldn’t have the opportunity to serve, and to members of the Local Organizing Committee who worked day and night to make this conference a reality.

Also most welcome is our friends in the media who have been with us all the way and as always, we expect maximum publicity from the conference.

 

Let me congratulate in advance our immediate past Chairman and Group Managing Director of NEM Insurance Plc, Mr. Tope Smart on his installation as President of the African Insurance Organisation for the next one year during the closing dinner on Wednesday.

To all I say the conference has finally come. We have not reneged on our promise to give you the best conference ever.  Continue to savour our rich delicacies and enjoy yourself.

Welcome to Nigeria, the Pride of Africa.

Welcome to Lagos, the State of Aquatic Splendour.

Welcome to the 47th AIO Conference.

 

Sannu da zuwa!

Nno!!

Ekaabo!!!