Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu

 

By Ngozi Onyeakusi— Nigeria insurance industry has concluded arrangements for the hosting of the forthcoming 47th edition of the African Insurers Organisation (AIO) conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) billed for 4th – 8th September 2021.

 

The epoch making event which takes  place at Eko Hotels & Suites Victoria Island, Lagos would provide yet  another golden opportunity for insures to showcase the insurance industry to the world

 

Briefing the media in view of the conference today in Lagos, the Chairman, LOC, Mrs Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu noted that Nigeria hosted the conference about 21 years ago adding that it was to the credit of the past leadership of the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA) and the leadership of other arms of the insurance industry to play the host of the conference.

Here is her full address at the virtul press conference

My Colleagues in the Local Organizing Committee,
Gentlemen of the press.
I warmly welcome you all to this press conference which is basically to acquaint you with preparations for the forthcoming 47th Conference and Annual General Assembly taking place at Eko Hotels & Suites Victoria Island, Lagos, from 4 – 8 September 2021.

As you are all aware, Nigeria hosted the conference about 21 years ago and it is to the credit of the past leadership of the Association and the leadership of other arms of the insurance industry that we have the honour of hosting this 47th edition of the conference.

This conference was scheduled to hold last year but due to the covid-19 pandemic, the AIO Secretariat in conjunction with the Local Organizing Committee decided to hold it this year as a hybrid event to cater for those who will not be able to attend physically.

We need to emphasize that in planning this conference at this time we have taken full cognizance of all the health protocols and restrictions on public gathering, hence the decision to make it a hybrid event.

To give further impetus to this decision, we are limiting the number of physical attendees while others are being encouraged to take advantage of the virtual conference to participate from their different locations.

For physical attendees, all covid-19 protocols will be observed and implemented to the letter.

The LOC has carefully followed the template provided by AIO Secretariat in planning the conference and I want to assure you that we are prepared to host the best and most memorable conference.

We thank the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Olorundare Sunday Thomas who has been working assiduously and liaising with the various ministries and agencies to ensure that we get the full support from the government.

The Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning has also been very supportive of our efforts, and we owe her a lot of appreciation for the letter of comfort which was the first requirement from AIO as proof that we have the support of the government to host the conference.
One of the major highlights of the 47th Conference is that the immediate past chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association and Group managing Director of NEM Insurance Plc, Mr. Tope Smart will assume office as the next president of the pan African organization for the next one year and he deserves our support and good wishes.

There is no doubt that Covid-19 pandemic had left in its trail, very debilitating effects on many economies and there are efforts at addressing these challenges.

This informed the decision of the LOC to use the opportunity of the 47th AIO conference to contribute to discussions around how insurance can contribute to ongoing efforts at rebuilding economies seriously impacted by the pandemic.

The above informed the theme of this year’s conference which is: Rebuilding Africa’s Economy: An Insurance Perspective.

We also have four other subtopics to address other contemporary issues affecting the insurance industry and they include the following:

1.     The new normal: How leaders can reset for growth beyond covid-19

2.     Regulation, innovation and the future of insurance

3.     Harnessing the potential for growth and development in the Nigerian insurance market

4.     AfCFTA and the African Insurer: Prospects and Opportunities

Gentlemen of the Press, the LOC, working in cahoots with the AIO Secretariat has assembled a strong faculty to deliver the different papers from the main conference theme to the subtopics listed above.
The resource persons include:

1.     Mr. Jakkie Cilliers ………… Institute of Security Studies, South Africa

2.     Mr. Mr. Belhassen Tanat …..Munich re

3.     Mr. Yinka Sanni …………….Standard Bank Group

4.     Mr. Tawiah Ben- Ahmed …….Metropolitan Life Insurance, Ghana

This AIO conference will also include the Life Seminar and all related activities.
Please permit me to state that hosting this AIO conference is significant to us in more ways than one.

 

Apart from the opportunity to showcase our rich culture and hospitality, it will also be a great opportunity to correct some of the misconceptions about Nigeria and her people.

As our partners in the business of insurance, we see this conference as yet another golden opportunity to showcase the insurance industry and we trust that you will give this press conference, the preparations and the entire conference the publicity it deserves.

Once again, we thank you for your support.