Continental Re’s 9th Pan-African Journalism Awards to hold in Zimbabwe, April 12

By Favour Nnabugwu
 The 9th Pan-African Reinsurance Journalism Award of Continental Reinsurance Plc is coming up on April 12, 2024 will be held at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
The leading private pan-African reinsurer, while unveiling the venue for the event called on Business journalists from across the African continent are invited to showcase their exceptional work in various categories, including Online, Print, and Broadcast, in both English and French.
This year’s awards also feature an Arabic Category and the Dr. Femi Future Talent Award.
Submission Period and Process:  Entries are open for submission up to February 14, 2024.  Works published within the year leading up to the submission deadline are eligible for consideration. Interested participants can submit their entries through the official awards portal: https://www.continental-re.com/awards-2024/.
Mr. Lawrence Nazare, Group Managing Director of Continental Reinsurance, emphasized the crucial role of the (re)insurance industry and the impact of journalists in shaping its narrative. He stated, “The (re)insurance industry is a catalyst for progress, offering economic stability and security to individuals and businesses.
“Reporting on insurance is not only informative but also serves as a catalyst for industry, educates the public about the importance of risk management, fostering a culture of preparedness.”
It will be recalled that the 8th edition witnessed entries from 18 African countries, celebrating winners from Uganda, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Egypt, and Zimbabwe.  The awards ceremony was graced by His Excellency Rigathi Gachagua, Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya.
NiMet DG Anosike says new mgt to strengthen, reposition operations 

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that the focus of the new management is to strengthen the operations of the agency and reposition it for improved service delivery.

Professor Anosike was speaking on Monday, 8th January, 2024, while declaring open a 3-day NiMet management retreat in Abuja.

“The overriding objective of the 2024 NiMet management retreat is to strengthen collaborative relationships amongst staff of the agency. It’s time to dismantle the imaginary walls and silos built internally over the years which has been stifling productivity. The retreat will give us all a good understanding of the work NiMet does. The science of meteorology should be treated and handled with all seriousness because of its importance and impact on lives, properties and on the economy”.

Continuing, Professor Anosike encouraged the participants to be active during the retreat and make contributions that will help NiMet to achieve its mandate efficiently. “Despite prevailing economic challenges, there are opportunities in the external environment for NiMet. We should aim to reduce wastages in our operations, prioritize spending, and improve our internally generated revenue”.

Concluding, Professor Anosike reminded the participants that although NiMet’s services are directly related to weather and climate in Nigeria, however, forces that drive environmental changes have shown that NiMet’s activities impact all aspects of the Nigerian economy”.

Segun Bankole, Okoli-Okpagu, Banjo now CAMCONIA Chairman, deputy and Gen. Sec

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

The Deputy General Manager, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Mr. Segun Bankole has emerged Chairman.of Corporate Affairs Managers Committee of the Nigerian Insurers Association (CAMCONIA)

CAMCONIA is the Corporate Affairs Managers Committee of the Nigerian Insurers Association, set up by the NIA to seek common ground in the growth of the Insurance industry in Nigeria.

Also emerged as deputy chairman and the association’s general secretary are Mrs. Ifesinachi Okoli-Okpagu and Mr. Bankole Banjo

Bankole emerged as Chairman during a meeting held recently by the head of corporate affairs units of insurance companies in Nigeria.

He succeeds Ms. Sobande Oyinkansola of Great Nigeria Insurance who has served her tenure.

Segun Bankole, the new CAMCONIA Chairman, graduated from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, (OAU). He holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Calabar. He has over 20 years of work experience in the Nigerian Private and public Sectors with a keen interest in Media, Public Relations, Marketing Communications, Human Relations, and business development. He is an Alumnus of the Lagos Business School having completed the Advanced Management Programme of the Institution.

Bankole is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and an Associate Member of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON). He is a member of the Global Development Network (GDN), an international non-governmental organisation in the pursuit of global manpower development. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Brand Management of Nigeria, IBMN. He joined Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc in November 2007.

Mrs. Ifesinachi Okoli-Okpagu

Ifesinachi Okoli-Okpagu, the CAMCONIA’s Deputy Chairman and the Chief Marketing Officer, Heirs Insurance Group, attended Queens College, Lagos and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine and Applied Arts from the University of Benin. She holds a Master’s degree in Marketing Communications from Pan Atlantic University (former Pan African University). She is married with children.

In addition to being an author and scriptwriter, Ifesinachi is a marketing and brand consultant with a passion for entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs.

Her first book, a novellette titled Deep Regret, was published when she was fourteen and was adopted as a secondary school-recommended text in Delta and Ebonyi states

Mr. Bankole Banjo

Bankole Banjo, the General Secretary of CAMCONIA who is also the Senior Marketing Services Coordinator, Sanlam Nigeria Limited, holds a Special Master’s degree from the Metropolitan School of Business and Management in United Kingdom (UK).

Bankole Banjo is a quick-thinking brand and communications manager with standout accomplishments across Advertising, Brand and Corporate Communications, Creative Writing and Media Management passionate about Product Design, Management and Marketing.

Bankole joined Sanlam Nigeria in 2022 from African Alliance Insurance as Senior Marketing Services Coordinator.

He worked at African Alliance Insurance as a Senior Manager – Brand, Media and Communications from November 2019 to October 2022.

Before joining African Alliance Insurance, Bankole was a Brand Management Executive FBNInsurance (Now Sanlam Life Nigeria) between November 2015 and January 2019.

Commenting on the election, Mr. Segun Bankole expressed excitement and promised to do his best as the Chairman of CAMCONIA to contribute to the growth of the industry.

NiMet warns of sunny, hazy atmosphere for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 

…Wednesday, Thursday, Friday to witness thunderstorms
By Favour Nnabugwu
Nigerian Metrological Agency, NiMet has warned of sunny and hazy atmosphere from Wednesday to Friday in the North and North Central.
The agency also predicted slight dust haze in Inland areas of the South during the forecast period while, few clouds in hazy atmosphere is expected over the Coastal cities with slim prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa states during the afternoon/evening period.
Few patches of clouds in hazy atmosphere are expected over the Inland areas of the South and Coastal cities with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states in the afternoon/evening period.
Few patches of clouds in hazy atmosphere are expected over the Inland areas of the South and the Coastal belt with chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Edo, Bayelsa and Delta states in the afternoon/evening period.
Potential impact/Advisory
NiMet warned people with Asthma and
other respiratory issues to take necessary actions during current weather situations as dust particles are in suspension, public should take
necessary precautions.
Airline operators are advised to
get updated weather reports from
NiMet for effective planning in
their operations.
Gboyega Lesi now Leadway MD

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

 

Leadway Assurance Company Limited has announced a significant leadership transition.

Mr. Gboyega Lesi has been appointed as the Acting Managing Director, effective January 1, 2024, subject to regulatory approval from the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

The decision, driven by NAICOM’s guidelines on executive tenure limits, reflects Leadway Assurance’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance.

The Board of Directors expressed confidence in Mr. Lesi’s leadership capabilities, emphasizing his nearly three decades of industry expertise and collaboration with outgoing Managing Director, Mr. Tunde Hassan-Odukale.

Tunde Hassan-Odukale, acknowledging the transition, stated, “I am confident in Gboyega Lesi’s leadership, and I believe his expertise and experience in the industry will be instrumental in steering the company towards continued success and growth across the West African insurance market.”

Mr. Lesi, a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in the Nigerian insurance industry, expressed his honor in assuming leadership during a pivotal time for the company. He emphasized a commitment to sustaining the company’s values, customer-centric culture, and delivering excellence.

Simultaneously, Leadway Assurance announced the appointment of Mrs. Oluwafunmilayo Amanwa as the Executive Director, Technical & Operations, following the exit of Ms. Adetola Adegbayi.

According to the board, this move, also subject to regulatory approval, aligns with the company’s dedication to seamless succession planning and achieving best-in-class underwriting excellence and operational efficiency.

Oluwafunmilayo Amanwa, with 17 years of proven industry experience, is seen as a valuable addition to Leadway Assurance’s leadership team. Her expertise encompasses contractual agreements, underwriting, claims, reinsurance, and risk management.

This leadership transition underscores Leadway Assurance’s commitment to providing innovative insurance solutions and fostering continuity in its mission and values.

As the industry undergoes dynamic changes, these appointments signal a strategic evolution for Leadway Assurance, positioning it for sustained success in the ever-evolving insurance landscape.