48 African countries,10 overseas nations, top govt officials ready for 47th AIO on Sept 4
By Favour Nnabugwu
With 354 members from 48 African countries and 16 members from 10 overseas countries and top government officials from Nigeria and others are set for the 47th African Insurance Organisation (AIO) conference and general assembly holding in Lagos six days from today.
The theme of 47th general assembly billed to hold from September 4 – 8, 2021 is: “Rebuilding Africa’s economy – The insurance perspective.”
The theme paper will look at broader issues of how insurance can contribute to and benefit from the efforts at rebuilding the African economy post COVID. It is hope and indeed expectation that participants will find the presentations enriching and derive value from attending the conference.
Nigeria’s Commissioner for Insurance/CEO, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr Sunday Thomas had worked trelessly liaising with various ministries and agencies to ensure full support from the federal government and also the Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning .
Thomas who believes that whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well, will not only bring top government officials to grace the event but garnered the required support from them to boost the industry at large.
The AIO conference LOC Chairman, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu stated, “hosting this 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.
“We have the opportunity to showcase Nigerian hospitality; we will have the opportunity to showcase the Nigerian rich cultural heritage; We have plans to take the delegates around Lagos and other places of interest where they can purchase items of interest such as artefacts and other made in Nigeria items; Hotels business will receive a boost as delegates are expected to stay in hotels during the conference.
“All these are going to contribute to economic activities in the country and for the fact that we are hosting at all, is really going to add value to our industry and gives us the opportunity to showcase that insurance is strong enough to support the economy.
AIO is a non-governmental organisation recognised by many African governments, including Cameroon which has signed a headquarters agreement with it and where it has set up its permanent secretariat.
AIO was established in 1972. The body has four categories of members comprising Insurance Industry; Regulatory/Supervisory authorities; Training Centers and National and Regional Associations.
The main objectives of AIO are the promotion of inter-African co-operation and development of a healthy insurance and reinsurance industry in Africa.More over, AIO organises the annual Conference and General Assembly, the annual African Reinsurance Forum as well as various meetings, seminars and workshops. However, the body rotates its events especially conference and seminars round its member countries depending on individual countries preparedness and readiness to host the AIO events.
