Headlines
NAICOM: light-speed improvements in the INSURANCE sector
It would take a lot more than coincidence for one man to serve as Director General and Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer all in one lifetime and in a country of over 200 million people, across 3 administrations. It simply requires the quality of being exceptional; being 1% of the top 1%. Mr Sunday Olorundare Thomas is an apotheosis of such superlative attribute. Mr Thomas is no stranger to leadership as he was Director-General of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) between May 2010 and April 2017.
When Mr. Thomas took the reigns as substantive Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), on April 30, 2020, the country was getting a thorough bred administrator as well as an insurance expert extraordinaire. Trained in Actuarial Science and possessing an MBA in Finance, the NAICOM boss had the extra advantage of having worked his way through the Nigerian insurance ecosystem and achieved landmark excellence along the way.
Over three decades of premium insurance experience and expertise are what Mr Thomas came with and the results of his outstanding experience and skills are already perspicuous. The commission has experienced a reinvigorated planning structure and result-driven policy development system. Service delivery has also improved tremendously, as has customer protection and the confidence of investors and stakeholders.
His previous designation as Director-General of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), an association considered a linchpin in insurance in Nigeria, provided him with the fundamentals of leading in the future in the capacity of Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of NAICOM. His strategic policy reforms in market development, ensuring insurance penetration in the country, have improved the insurance sector in the country astronomically.
In the age of technology, the insurance sector in Nigeria was lagging at some of the most basic technologies requisite for functionality. The just completed portal had been under construction for the past nine years and only attained functionality under the current leadership. The organization has aligned with the Nigerian content policy and there is an expectation that this would increase the presence of insurance in the oil and gas sector.
Mr Thomas’ reign has witnessed light-speed improvements in the sector at micro and macro levels. There is a renewed vision for inclusion of everyday Nigerians from any social stratum to energize the economy and stimulate full-scale economy engagement. About six micro-insurance companies will be functional to this effect in the near future.
NAICOM is experiencing deepening localization of its activities and widening globalization of its standards. The 2021-2023 Strategic Plan has five goals designed to entrench effective and efficient service delivery, ensure safe, sound and stable insurance sector, adequately protect policyholders, and public interest, improve trust and confidence in the insurance sector and encourage innovation and promote insurance market development. All industry-based growth indicators accede to the competency and professionalism of Mr Sunday Olorundare Thomas and his technical team…
Jamilu Yusuf Yola
Publisher
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday arrived in Katsina to receive the remains of the former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82.
Just hours before the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, heartfelt tributes have continued to pour in from beneficiaries of his many charitable deeds, with many describing him as a man who never turned his back on the needy.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Aminu Daura, a respected community elder, recalled how Buhari consistently provided foodstuffs during Ramadan for families, friends, widows, and orphans in his hometown.
“He never made noise about it, but many homes had food on their tables during fasting period because of him,” Daura said.
Abdullahi Sani, a physically-challenged man who received a tricycle from the Buhari Foundation in 2021, was overcome with emotion while speaking to NAN.
“I can move around and feed my family today because of Baba Buhari. I pray to Allah to reward him for giving hope to people like me,” he said, in tears.
Hajiya Fatima Yahaya, another resident, remembered Buhari’s acts of kindness during festive seasons.
“Even after he left office, his aides ensured that the usual support still reached us every year. He always remember his people,” she said, referring to his distribution of Sallah rams and food items to indigent families during Eid celebrations.
Other residents of Daura also shared memories of how the late former president quietly paid school fees and medical bills for struggling families, actions rarely publicized.
“Some of us benefited from his silent interventions. He was a true father and a great figure in the society,” said Ali Saidu.
On Monday night, Imams across various mosques in Daura held special Qur’anic recitations, praying for the forgiveness of Buhari’s sins and his eternal peace.
The Chief Imam of Daura Central Mosque, Sheikh Musa Kofar Barau, described Buhari as a humble leader whose legacy of service and compassion would remain alive in the hearts of the people.
Buhari is scheduled to be buried later on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites. The community is bracing to welcome thousands of mourners from across Nigeria and beyond.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco has extended heartfelt condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire Nigerian people following Buhari’s death.
In a message of sympathy, the Moroccan monarch described the passing of the former Nigerian leader as a “sad occurrence,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
King Mohammed VI hailed Buhari as “an illustrious leader who worked untiringly to serve his country’s best interests and lead his people toward further progress and prosperity.”
He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the bereaved. I share your grief and want you to know how much I appreciated the working sessions I had with the deceased.”
Reflecting on their bilateral engagements, the king noted that his collaboration with Buhari led to the launch of promising development projects, “ushering a new era grounded in friendship and close cooperation between our two sister nations.”
Tinubu arrives Katsina to receive Buhari’s body for burial
“He Never Turned His Back on the Needy” — Tributes Pour In Ahead of Buhari’s Burial
King Mohammed VI Mourns Buhari, Praises Legacy of Nigeria’s Former Leader
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