'Deepening insurance knowledge' NCRIB-LAC bridges gap between town, gown with CSR

The Nigerian Chartered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Lagos Area Committee (LAC) as parts of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has recently engaged students of Immaculate Hearts Senior High School and Mende Senior High School, both in Mende, Maryland, Lagos, in a knowledge transfer session to deepen knowledge on the insurance profession.

The event which held last week Thursday also featured the presentation of gift items to deserving students as well as an interactive session for feedback-questions and answers.

In his opening remarks where he gave a brief introduction of insurance, Chairman of the Lagos Area Committee (NCRIB) Mr. Rotimi Olukorede expressed his delight on the privilege to impact students. While urging students to maximise the opportunity that the occasion presents, he noted that many professionals in the insurance industry did not get this kind of opportunity or exposure before foraying into the profession.

“Today, we are giving you the opportunity some of us didn’t have before we ventured into the insurance profession. Many of us never planned going into the insurance profession. We had other dreams. I was a science student but got interested in insurance when I was introduced to it by someone who came into the country,” he said.

Noting that part of the reasons insurance is yet to get to its required heights in Nigeria is because it is just starting, he revealed that insurance is actually the bedrock of development in any country, as well as the pivot of growth in any economy. He also noted that part of the poor penetration of insurance in the Nigerian market due to the dearth in the number of professionals in the insurance profusion. He however expressed optimism that with initiatives like this, more young people will come into the profession.

Olukorede thanked members of the LAC for their support as well as the Permanent Secretary for Education for the avenue to carry out the initiative. He added, “This knowledge sharing session may not have been possible without the strong support of our esteemed partners. Therefore, I will like to thank Leadway Assurance, Cornerstone Insurance, African Alliance, Mutual Benefits and Sovereign Trust Alliance for their immense support.”

Earlier, in her opening speech, the Tutor-General/ Permanent Secretary, Education District 2, Maryland, Lagos, Mrs. Anike Adekanye tasked students to seize the opportunity of having seasoned insurance professionals in their midst to learn and perhaps, chart a path of career in the insurance profession if so desire.

Adekanye who was represented by the Director, Head of Guidance/ Counselling Unit, Education Dist. 2, Olori Adeyemi Kalejaiye, also lauded the initiative which she noted, will go a long way in impacting the lives of the students in attendance.

Former Chairman of NCRIB-LAC, Ayodele Akande who noted that the day’s mission was to galvanise student’s interest in insurance, facilitated the teaching session where he took students through the rudiments of insurance including its definition and principles, schools that offer insurance and related courses, and requirements for becoming an insurance professional.

This was followed by a highly interactive session moderated by the Publicity Relations Officer for LAC, Oyinpreye Aigbogun. Here, members of the NCRIB-LAC present including immediate past Chairmen- Mrs. Bukola Ifemade; Vice-Chairman, Mrs Ifeoluwa Okunnu; General Secretary, Dr. Ayodeji Johnson; Asst. Secretary, Mr. Lateef; Treasurer, Godwin Onyeke; Auditor, Mrs Aiyeola and Elder Dada, all fielded questions from the inquisitive students.

In her reaction, Principal of Immaculate Heart Senior School, Mrs Olutoyin Okuwobi thanked LAC for impacting the Nigeria’s future leaders. Assuring that what LAC has done will go a long way in future as it is a seed that has been planted in the lives of the students. “On behalf of the Staff and Students of Maryland Secondary Schools, I really appreciate your efforts in planning the career Counselling and the fulfilled time we enjoyed with your team. You’ve laid a great foundation today, a great achievement. You have planted a seed today and the enormous fruits shall abound. God bless you all and bless your council,” she prayed.