By Tope Adaramola

*DCI Ekerete Ola Gam Ikon

Human history is replete with personages whose mien and character change 360 degrees when they get into high office, prompting a philosopher to once postulate that a friend in high office is a lost friend. Happily, we have personalities, though rare, who put a lie to this saying. One of them is the iconic Deputy Commissioner for Insurance, Finance & Administration, Mr Ekerete Ola Gam Ikon.

Highly cusmopolitan and a true Nigerian as reflected in his name, Ekerete is a noble hearted professional and one of the strong links between the young and older generation of insurance practitioners.

One of the few who often saw the silver linning in the insurance industry despite contrary opinion held by a critical chunk of the public and insurance professionals themselves. Ekerete’s undying love and passion for the industry even when faced with several opportunities for a complete switch in his career line providentially paid off on his announcement as a Deputy Commissioner with the apex insurance regulatory institution. He is indeed a perfect fit in the leadership trio of himself, the Deputy Commissioner, Technical, Dr Usman Jankara and the versatile Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Olusegun Ayo Omosehin. On their appointment, Ekerete had retorted that the expected trasformation of the insurance industry through effective regulatory oversight was here. According to him, the three actors required to make the change were already on ground, referring to the CFI, Omosehin, a seasoned practitioner with huge practical experience as an operator; Dr Jankara, an astute insurance regulator and himself an “ambassador of the consumer sector”. “This is the tripod we need to push the frontiers” he averred.

True to Ekerete’s submission, the regulator has put great balance and humanism to its regulatory oversight under these astute leaders . The trio have remained approachable and have tried to extricate themselves from the usual hubris that encladded some who had occupied those offices before. Ekerete has remained his humble self and ever ready to assist all within the limits of his ability, despite the expected pressure of work.

He is a strong advocate of trust rebuilding for the insurance industry. He once said in an interview that “when you hear people saying that insurance companies don’t pay claims, it is an historical matter that requires deep examination and new strong responses. We are here to change this noxious narratives” he stated

Since humility, according to Napoleon Hill, is the forerunner of success, the sky is surely the starting point for the birthday boy. May line continue to fall unto him in pleasant places and may he never witness a better yesterday in jesus mighty name.

As you age by one today, the entire insurance broking sector , represented by its President, Prince Babatunde Adeleke Oguntade, FIIN, FCIB join multitude of friends and well wishers to say happy birthday to the great “Comrade” and irrepressible Apostle of Insurance progress and vibrancy. Congratulations, sir.