Igbiti Will Give Progressive Leadership To CIIN – Dr Oladele Fajemirokun
Edwin Igbiti, CIIN President
The 51st President/Chairmen of Governing Council of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Edwin Igbiti has been described as a Professional to the core with the right character, competence and experience to give progressive leadership to the CIIN.
The Chairman of the Investiture Ceremony organized in honour of Igbiti by CIIN, Chief (Dr) Oladele Fajemirokun, said this in his speech at the occasion held today at the Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to him, “there is no doubt in my mind that Edwin, who I can rightly refer to as my son, having worked at AIICO Insurance Plc for a considerable number of years at a very top management cadre, specifically as the Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, has the character, competence and experience to give progressive leadership to the CIIN.
“I must say that in the course of our intimate relationship, I found Edwin to be a professional to the core, a humble personality, always willing to learn and also someone who puts a lot of practical life to what he believes in as a Christian and also as a Church Leader.
“It is most heartwarming for me that a person in the mould of Edwin is taking over the mantle of leadership of the Institute at this crucial period. We all know the pivotal position the Institute occupies in the financial ecosystem and the economy of this country.”
Commenting on the contribution of the CIIN to the growth of insurance business in Nigeria and the way forward for the industry, Chief Fajemirokun said “There is no doubt that over the years, the Institute has distinguished itself as one of the foremost professional bodies that has given cutting edge training to insurance professionals, who in turn are adding significant value, not only to the insurance industry, but the general financial ecosystem.
“Suffice it to say that it is not all uhuru for the insurance industry in Nigeria today, in spite of all the stringent efforts being made by the operators as well as professionals. Insurance, regrettably is still at the back waters of national economy contributing a paltry one per cent to the Gross Domestic Product of the nation.
“Pointless to rehash some problems that have led to the recession of the industry bordering on poor image, low public acceptance and inadequate professional training impacting on the quality of professional insurance practitioners who interface with members of the public. But be that as it may, the industry has continued to make huge strides towards ensuring that this narrative is changed and permanently too.”
“Besides the Council pushing forward the likes of Edwin Igbiti to change this narrative for which I know he has the capacity, considering his professional standing and long years of experiences in the industry, it is very apposite for me to say that the industry has been making giant strides in the area of embracing information technology which ultimately as we all know is the driver of global economy and there is no actor in the global economy, including insurance, that should lag behind when it comes to information technology.
While commending the past leadership of the institute for laying a solid foundation, the former Chairmen of AIICO Insurance PLC stated, “I must not miss to appreciate the dynamism that has been infused into the leadership of the Institute since its inception. We have had 50 Presidents and all of them without exception laid the moulding blocks upon which Mr. Edwin Igbiti is starting to build on as the 51st President today.
Chief Fajemirokun who prayed that the Almighty God should grant Mr. Igbiti the grace of good health and wisdom to excel brilliantly in office, also Igbiti of his support.
