As Insurers Celebrate Female Counterparts

The International Women’s day is a global event that holds March 8 every year. In this year’s edition, insurers rolled out drums to celebrate their female counterparts, writes Ebere Nwoji

The establishment of the Professional Insurance Ladles Association (PILA) by the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria(CIIN) in 1973 as the first female professional body in Nigeria is a demonstration of spirit of inclusiveness and gender positiveness among leaders and drivers of the Nigeria insurance sector.

Added to this is the good number of female insurance chief executives and board members the industry has produced in recent times. All these attest to the fact that the industry cherishes and celebrates women’s positive contributions towards growth and development of the insurance sector and the economy in general.

A peep into the structure of insurance sector workforce shows that  today, the industry sits on pillar of Amazons such as Joyce Ojemudia as Managing Director African Alliance Insurance Plc having taken over leadership baton of the life insurance specialist  from another Amazon Funmi Omo the erstwhile Managing Director who is now the Managing Director Enterprise Life Assurance.

Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu is another big fish produced by the industry who is the Managing Director, Premier Royal Exchange Assurance Plc. Adetola Adegbayi  who just stepped aside as Executive Director, Technical, Leadway Assurance is another gem  among the female leaders in the insurance sector. Not to be forgotten are Funmi Babington Ashaye, former President Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, Yetunde Ilori, Director General Nigeria Insurers Association and Adebola Odukale formerly of Capital Express  Assurance just to mention but few.

This spirit of recognition of women’s  efforts and willingness to encourage and empower them for more contributions was recently demonstrated by the industry operators as management of various insurance firms rolled out their drums to celebrate their female employees at this year’s international Women’s day celebrated on March 8th 2024.

Indeed management of various insurance firms showed solidarity in praising their female workers as special breed among all God’s creatures.

Insurance firms celebrating

Insurance firms at the forefront of the celebration include Sunu Assurance, which joined force with female journalists covering insurance and pension to make this year’s  edition of International Women’s Day a joyous occasion for women in the two professions.

Felicitating the female staff of Sunu Assurance and female members of National Association of Insurance and Pension Editors (NAIPE) during this year’s  celebration, Sunu Assurance Managing Director,  Mr Samuel Ogbodu, said Sunu group as an international firm has over 50 percent of the Managing Directors and Deputy Managing Directors  as female.

He said this year’s theme: “Inspire Inclusion,” perfectly aligns with the core values and aspirations the company holds.

“International Women’s Day serves as a powerful reminder of the remarkable achievements of women throughout history and the ongoing journey towards gender equality. It is a day to celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of women in every sphere of life”, he said.

According to him, Inspire Inclusion calls upon us to reflect on the importance and value of inclusivity in our workplaces, communities, and beyond. It challenges us to break down barriers and create environments where everyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background, feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.

He said in our respective roles in the organisation and society at large, we have a responsibility to champion inclusion in all aspects of our work.

He said at SUNU Group, the management was committed to promoting a culture of inclusion where it was not just celebrated but embraced as a source of strength and innovation. 

“We recognise the importance of creating supportive and equitable environment where every employee.regardless of gender, feels empowered to reach their full potential. On this International Women’s Day. let us reaffirm our commitment to inspire inclusion all that we do. Let us pledge to create workplaces and communities where inclusion is not only valued but celebrated, and where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive,” he advised.

He said together insurance firms could  inspire inclusion, break down barriers, and pave the way for a more equitable, and inclusive future for all

Throwing light into the structure of Sunu ‘s workforce he said at the board level, the company has seven members out of which four were men and three women .

At the international Group level, he said there were 37 companies in 17 countries and that Presently, 50 percent of the companies were  headed by MiD/CEO and Deputy MD.

Sovereign Trust Insurance

Also celebrating his company’s female employees during the International Women’s day, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Sovereign Trust Insurance, Mr. Olaotan Soyinka  reiterated the company’s commitment to providing an all-inclusive operating environment to all members of staff regardless of their gender.

He stated that the underwriting firm has penchant for  professionalism, good moral standing and the upholding of values that would promote gender balance in all key areas of the organisation while also taking cognisance of meritocracy as the rudder blade for attaining any leadership position in the organisation.

Soyinka who addressed the female staff at a special hang-out session organised for them in commemoration of the global event, seized the moment to appreciate and honour the women accordingly.

“As we celebrate all our women the world over on March 8, 2024, I want to particularly express my profound support and appreciation to our very committed women in Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc for your doggedness and dedication to duty. You have always proven that you are all women of grit and compassion, and it has been extremely exciting working with you all. As you are all aware, our organisation is an all-inclusive one driven by professionalism, dedication, and commitment to good corporate governance and ethical standards,” Soyinka said.

He added, “An attestation to this fact is seen in the composition of the management structure of the organisation as quite a few women are in top management positions within the organisation. The Executive Director, Marketing and Business Development, Ugochi Odemelam, who is also a pioneer staff of the underwriting firm rose through the ranks over the years and today, she is equally a member of the board of directors of the company and a member of the executive management team, respectively.”

AIICO

AIICO Insurance said it celebrated the day with activities aimed at exploring, enhancing, and exhibiting the potential of women, both within and outside of the organisation. 

The underwriting firm said the day unfolded with a series of engaging activities, including a career development webinar, a vibrant painting competition, and the much-anticipated launch of a new entrepreneurial development program specifically tailored to support mothers. 

The company said the initiative underscores its unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of inclusivity and providing valuable resources that equip women with the tools and confidence to thrive in all aspects of their lives.

The company in a statement signed by the Manager, Digital Marketing and Communication, Mr. Segun Olalandu, said these programmes, and activities were organised to mark this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) and to give women a new deal in life, positioning them as equal stakeholders in the household economies.

“The day kicked off with a webinar titled “Empowering Women, Fostering Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace,featuring Mrs. Yetunde Ilori, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Insurers Association. AIICO staff, particularly women, gained invaluable insights as Mrs. Ilori shared her inspiring career journey. They delved into her strategies for navigating a traditionally male-dominated industry and learned how she rose to become a force to be reckoned with.”

According to him,the  interactive session provided AIICO’s women with tangible tools and role models to propel their professional growth and contribute to fostering a more diverse and inclusive workplace environment.

Olalandu disclosed that AIICO’s branches in Lagos and regional locations erupted in a vibrant display of creativity with the “Paint and Sip” competition! “Women across the company unleashing their inner artists, sipping refreshments and letting their artistic spirit flow. The competition buzzed with excitement as colleagues cheered each other on, all vying for a spot in the top three and a chance to claim their share of the prize money. It was a day filled with laughter, camaraderie, and a refreshing dose of artistic expression!”

He said the  icing on the cake for women was the formal unveiling of the innovative and pacesetting ‘Mompreneur Series’ which empowers moms to become successful entrepreneurs with flexible schedules, stable income, and a supportive environment.

 “The Mompreneur Series offers a range of benefits for participants, including the opportunity to work with a trusted and respected company like AIICO Insurance Plc. Participants can enjoy a steady income with flexibility, allowing them to manage their family’s responsibilities while pursuing entrepreneurial ventures, “he said. 

He said with  this initiative, moms would be provided with the tools and resources they need to succeed in both their professional and personal lives.

“This initiative is designed exclusively for moms, and it offers a unique platform for women to achieve work-life balance while contributing to household income. Participants at the first in the series include professionals and career women from various sectors and businesswomen. It was also a great networking opportunity,” he added.  

NEM Insurance

NEM Insurance did not ignore the day as it celebrated its female workforce and in addition hosted Federal Government Girl’s College Sagamu.