BY NGOZI ONYEAKUSI

The aggressive drive for insurance pentration to complement the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA 2025) by the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), has received a significant boost with the conferment of the coveted honour of Honorary Citizen of Evoh Kingdom, Rivers State, on the President of the NCRIB, Mrs Ekeoma Ezeibe by His Royal Majesty, King Amb. Sir Leslie N. Eke, the Gbakagbaka III of Evoh Kingdom and a first class king in Rivers State.

 

The paramount ruler who performed the traditional duty during the visit of NCRIB delegation to his palace said that the kingdom had conferred the honour only on three distinguished Nigerians, of which the NCRIB President was one.

The King said the honour has granted Mrs Ezeibe all the rights and privileges of his citizens.

He said Mrs Ezeibe has distinguished herself as a rare achiever in her chosen field of Insurance and law and that his kingdom was proud of her sterling feats.

He was excited at the “One Insurance Industry” matra of Mrs Ezeibe’s leadership and noted that he would make it the major driver of insurance penetration in his kingdom, which has 33 communities and the largest market in the area.

Responding, Mrs Ezeibe expressed excitement at the honour and the pledge of support for insurance penetration in the area by the traditional ruler, promising that a committee made up of members in the South- South Area Committee of the Council would soon be constituted to drive Microinsurance and other insurances in the kingdom.

The NCRIB President intimated King Leslie Ekeh with the intention of the Council to make Abia State the pilot project for insurance pentration in the country and that all states would soon be captured under the scheme.

She highlighted the huge opportunities that NIIRA 2025 had brought to risk management in the country and implored all citizens to take advantage of the law in order to reduce losses to lives and properties when they occur.

The King said the scheme would kick off in the next few months in order to sustain the momentum.

King Leslie is a Brand Ambassador of the NCRIB, South South Area Committee.