President Buhari being presented with the Highest Recognition as Grand Patron of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) by R-L: CIIN President Sir Muftau Oyegunle and Commissioner for Insurance Mr. Sunday Thomas as he receives in courtesy visit the Governing Council of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) in State House on 14th Oct 2021

By Ngozi Onyeakusi— The Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday promised insurance industry practitioners that he will hasten the signing of the Consolidated Insurance Bill 2020 once it lands on his desk,  even as he urged the underwriters to do more in contributing to the nation’s growth.

The President made the pledge during his conferment ceremony as the Grand Patron of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) by the Chairman and members of the Governing Council of the Institute, held at the State House, Abuja.

“Once the National Assembly has finished the process of reviewing the Consolidated Insurance Bill 2020 and is forwarded to me, I would speedily subject it to the necessary executive checks and sign it into law,” the President said.

The President, who commended the leadership of the Institute under Sir. Muftau Oyegunle for bringing some sanity into the Nigerian Insurance Industry as well as giving more visibility to the importance of the industry in national development, charged them to do more.

“As you continue in your work of contributing to national development, I want to urge you to further increase the number of Nigerians and businesses that would benefit from and be benefited by the insurance industry.

“As you are well aware, you need to dispel misconceptions about the insurance industry presently held by a good number of Nigerians, especially as it relates to claims and need for insurance.

“As I have said on many occasions and would continue to reiterate, it is my commitment to leave a sustainable growth and development legacy by the end of this administration.

“Furthermore, the insurance industry as a whole must improve its efficiency and honour claims in good time,” he submitted.

President Buhari thanked players in the insurance industry, including the CIIN, for supporting this government as well as the kind words in appreciating the progress made in various areas of development.

Specifically, the President highlighted the contribution of N500,000,000 to support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in its early days in the country.

He noted that the granting of insurance cover for all frontline health workers at concessionary premiums contributed significantly to the globally acclaimed success of Nigeria’s National Response to the pandemic.

The President told the leadership of the Institute that he would count on their continuous support, as he rallies “all Nigerians to join our hands and hearts together with this administration to create the Nigeria we want.”

He also expressed appreciation on the conferment of the Fellowship award as the Grand Patron of the Institute, saying that he received it “with honour.”

Sir. Oyegunle solicits the president’s support in the area of increase patronage by Ministries, Departments and Agenciesof the Government through adequate insurances of government properties and also in the area of speedy passage into law, of the Consolidated Insurance Bill 2020,which has just been laid on the floor of the House.

On behalf of the insurance industry, Oyegunle appreciated the President for his sustained efforts to eliminate poverty in Nigeria.

He assured the President that the Institute and indeed the Nigerian Insurance Industry would continue to support his administration.