IWD 2023: Interswitch Reiterates Call for Gender Parity

12/03/2023

L-R: Founder/CEO, MH Worklife, Blessing Adesiyan; Founder/CEO, Gush Lifestyle, Deborah Odim; Human Resource Business Partner, Interswitch, Lorine Odidison; Founder/CEO, Nuban Beauty, Stella Ndekile, and Founder/CEO, Healthtracka, Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson, at the International Women’s Day networking fair organised by Interswitch Group.

As part of celebrations to mark the 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD), Interswitch, Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce company, hosted its employees to an engaging evening of networking, discussions and product exhibitions.

In line with the 2023 IWD theme, ‘Embrace Equity’, the event line up included a panel discussion that dissected ways in which individuals, organisations, businesses and governments can support the push for gender balance in today’s world.

Speaking on the essence of the celebration, Franklin Ali, Chief Human Resources Officer, Interswitch Nigeria said “International Women’s Day is not only an opportunity for us to reflect on the progress we’ve made towards gender equality, but also to celebrate and appreciate the phenomenal women in our organisation who have contributed immensely to the growth of Interswitch with their unwavering commitment.

“Achieving gender equity is not only a plus for the society as a whole, but also an imperative for sustainable business growth. It is important to note that a diverse and inclusive workplace leads to better decision-making, and increased innovation which in turn improves our customer experience,” Ali added.

Affirming this, speakers on the panel also recognised that a diverse and inclusive workplace is essential for the growth of female employees and the business at large.

“By creating a work environment where everyone feels valued and included, organisations can tap into the full potential of its employees and better serve its customers,” Deborah Odim, Founder and CEO, Gush Lifestyle, said.

While admitting that women are achieving outstanding feats across many fields, the panelists called out the need for more recognition and support for womenfolk.

According to Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson, Founder and CEO, Healthtracka, “70 percent of women make up the global healthcare workforce, while only 6.7 percent of funding goes to female-owned healthcare businesses, undermining their capacity to build businesses. “

Other notable female entrepreneurs who made up the panel include Stella Ndekile, Founder and CEO of Nuban Beauty and Blessing Adesiyan, Founder and CEO of MH Worklife.

To wrap up the panel session, women were encouraged to emulate the qualities of other great women who have made a mark on society, and to strive for the best in their various endeavors.

Highlighting the company’s commitment to gender diversity and inclusion, in 2022, Interswitch emerged as one of Nigeria’s top five leading companies in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) according to a report by advisory consulting firm, Hofstede Insights.

Each year, International Women’s Day takes place on the 8^th of March to celebrate the cultural, political, and economic achievements of women globally, and to also re-echo the call for gender balance and inclusion.

Konga Partners Verve to Delight Customers with Free Shopping Vouchers

Business Journal

10/03/2023

Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce platform has partnered with Verve International to reward customers with free shopping vouchers.

Tagged Season of Rewards, the campaign, which kicked off on March 1, 2023 will see shoppers receive free vouchers when they shop on Konga.com with their Verve cards.

The partnership underpins the commitment of both brands to add value by providing useful incentives for customers who make payments with their Verve cards.

Consequently, Verve card holders who shop on www.konga.com are in for great rewards, with free shopping vouchers made available to them within a 24-hour period which they can immediately use on their next shopping on the Konga platform.

The vouchers can also apply to any category of product that catches their fancy, ranging from Mobile Phones, Computing, Electronics, Fashion, Home & Kitchen, Groceries, etc.

‘‘We are delighted to partner with Verve to bring this exciting offer to shoppers on the Konga platform,’’ disclosed Gideon Ayogu, Group Head, Marketing & Communications, Konga Group.

‘‘We are confident that this would deliver more value to Verve card holders in their shopping experience, while also encouraging them to shop more.’’

Also commenting on the development, Chidi Oluaoha, Group Head, Growth Marketing Payment tokens and Financial Inclusion Services, Interswitch said Verve is committed to creating rewarding experiences for Verve cardholders while supporting their lifestyle needs.

He said: “Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and we are always looking for ways to reward them with invaluable payment experiences. It is for this purpose we are partnering with Konga to bring this exciting offer to Verve cardholders while giving them seamless, swifter and more secure payment solutions.”

He further urged new and existing Verve cardholders to take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy the benefits of shopping on Konga and earning free shopping vouchers.

Through this Season of Rewards promo, Konga and Verve are confident of giving Verve card holders more reasons to use their cards for e-commerce transactions and avoiding the ongoing hassles with cash availability.

Both companies are also committed to improving financial inclusion and convenience for millions of Nigerians.

About Konga

Konga is a leading composite e-commerce platform in Nigeria that offers a wide range of products and services to its customers. The company is committed to providing its customers with a convenient and secure shopping experience and has a strong focus on customer service and satisfaction.

About Verve International

Verve is Interswitch Group’s innovative card scheme, offering products and solutions that enable consumers to transact all over Nigeria and across international markets. As the first African card scheme to be recognized as a valid, globally accepted e-payment gateway, we have built a world-class value chain ecosystem that benefits from the services we provide.

NCC Spotlights Renewable Energy on World Consumer Rights Day

Business Journal

10/03/2023

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has concluded arrangements to host an event to mark the 2023 World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) in Abuja with spotlight on its regulatory initiatives on clean energy usage in the telecoms sector.

In what has become a tradition in the Commission since 2017, when it declared 2017 as Year of the Telecom Consumers when it honoured telecom consumers by connecting with the global theme for the commemoration to celebrate the Day with landmark activities, the Commission has continued to promote consumer protection and enlightenment.

The theme of the 2023 edition of the Day is “Empowering Consumers through Clean Energy Transitions.”

According to NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Barrister Adeleke Adewolu, the theme provides opportunity for NCC to share with beloved telecom consumers and other stakeholders, as well as the public, the policies it has instituted, and other actions taken to encourage operators in the sector to transition to environmentally friendly and renewable energy sources in their operations.

Adewolu, who represented the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, at the inauguration of the committee to organise the event, said the Commission is committed to reducing the impact that telecommunications operation has on climate change and the environment while noting that the peculiarities of Nigeria’s electricity supply have resulted in the telecommunications sector being a contributor to carbon emissions.

Danbatta, who is a Fellow of the Renewable Alternative Energy Society (FRAES), stated that studies have shown that renewables and energy efficiency, boosted by substantial electrification, can provide over 90 per cent of the necessary reductions in energy-related carbon emissions. He said increasing the use of electricity sourced from renewables presents the best opportunity to accelerate world’s energy transformation.

“The theme is very apt this year, as we know the implication of the climate change disaster facing the world. So, as a Commission, we are committed to reducing the impact of climate change. The telecoms sector contributes to global emissions, particularly when you realize that there are over 54,000 base transmitter stations powered, in some cases 24 hours seven days a week, by generators. You can just imagine the emissions from these,” Danbatta said.

He explained that the Commission was already looking at introducing a policy to encourage ethical energy source, as part of the Commission’s commitment to safeguarding the environment for consumers and other users of telecom services, a move that is also in tandem with the process of actualising some of the key items of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The EVC further stated that in recent years, the Commission has introduced a regulatory framework on infrastructure sharing and collocation among the licensees which, he said, has encouraged operators to fully maximise their already-deployed infrastructure.

“By sharing infrastructure, some operators do not need to entirely build a telecoms site in an area where another operator had deployed one. With the challenge of inadequate public electricity supply in Nigeria, telecom companies rely on diesel-powered generators to keep their telecom sites live round-the-clock. But a regulatory framework such as infrastructure sharing and collocation is helping in this regard,” the EVC said.

Hallmark HMO Collaborates to Discount Cervical Cancer Screening Kits

Business Journal

10/03/2023

Mrs. Oladotun Adeogun

Managing Director/CEO

Hallmark HMO

Hallmark Health Services Limited (Hallmark HMO), is in collaboration with an organisation that has a network of pharmaceutical outlets to provide heavily discounted Cervical Cancer Screening Kits for women, to mark this year’s edition of the International Women’s Day.

The kits, which are heavily discounted by as much as 80% off the usual price were made available for female of associated companies and other clients during the week of the celebration while the offer remains open till later in March.

The International Women’s Day annual event sets out, in the usual manner, to celebrate women all around the world and make them aware that they have the same right as men in all aspects of life.

The theme for this year’s celebration is DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality and advocates for embracing Equity in the use of technology by males and females.

The Managing Director/CEO of Hallmark HMO, Mrs. Oladotun Adeogun expressed her belief in equity also in technological tools deployment.

According to her, “we believe that a woman should be given equal opportunity to advance her career and should be supported by enabling systems and work tools that recognize the value she is bringing.”

She said the company embarked on the discounted cervical cancer screening as a CSR initiative to ensure that women are in the best state of health and the International Women’s Day Celebration presents a good opportunity to do that.

Hallmark HMO has embarked on commendable projects in recent times, including a Stakeholders’ Engagement which drew key participants from the Health Sector, and also the Annual Collaboration with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for donation of blood during the World Blood Donor days.

IWD2023: Ecobank Celebrates Women, Assures of Equality at Workplace

Business Journal

10/03/2023

Ecobank Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) has said its workplace is free of bias and gender-based discriminations.

Speaking on the anniversary of International Women’s Day (IWD), Head, Human Resources, Ecobank Nigeria, Adekunle Adewuyi, stated that the bank as a responsible organization, has in place structures for ensuring all women can reach their full potentials and have equal opportunities to men in advancing their careers and achieve promotion in the bank.

Only recently, Ecobank Group, the leading pan-African bank won the highly coveted Best Place to Work in Africa 2022 Award from the Best Place to Work organisation. The Award honours organisations that exhibit the highest standards of excellence in Human Resources (HR) practices and employees’ experience.

According to him, “Female staff are holding strategic leadership and management positions in the organization. We are committed to creating a society and workplace that is free of bias and gender-based discrimination. As part of our IWD 2023 celebrations, we will be organising health screening for our female staff in four different locations including Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja and Port Harcourt. We will also host a Health Talk for female employees, who as at today constitute 51 percent of our workforce.” he stated.

Adewuyi further stated that the choice of this year’s theme #EmbraceEquity was apt, adding that while celebrating women and girls championing transformative technology and digital education, IWD 2023 will also address the impact of the digital gender gap in widening economic and social inequalities.

“It is the responsibility of all of us to make transformative technology and digital education inclusive. At Ecobank, our digital solutions aim to respond to the needs of all our clients, including women and women entrepreneurs. The Ecobank Foundation has partnered with organisations – such as UN Women and the Global Partnership for Education – that leverage on digitalisation to address the gender gap.”

IWD is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8 as a focal point in the women’s rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.

Sovereign Trust Insurance Commiserates with Families of Train-Bus Accident Victims

Business Journal

10/03/2023

NCRIB Mourn Victims of Lagos Bus-Train Accident

Business Journal

10/03/2023

The Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) has commiserated with the Lagos State Government over the unfortunate death of six people and others who were injured during the accident that occurred between a bus belonging to the Lagos State Government and an intra city train in Lagos

The commiseration message was contained in a letter signed by the President of the Council, Mr. Rotimi Edu.

According to the Council, the sad demise of the six victims and injury sustained by others who were majorly public servants with Lagos State Government was most disheartening

The Council urged better management and control of railway authority’s level crossing to avert similar disasters in future, especially in busy or high-density areas.

Edu expressed confidence and the assurance that any of the victims’ dependents or the injured that were insured would be adequately compensated by the insurance industry.

The Council applauded the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for declaring 3-day of mourning during which there would also be a cessation of electioneering campaigns in honour of the victims.

According to media reports, six people were killed and dozens injured when the train crashed into a passenger bus taking government staff to work when it collided with the intra-city train in the Ikeja area of Lagos.

NCDMB, BOI Launch $50m Fund for Oil Industry Manufacturing

Business Journal

09/03/2023

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Bank of Industry in Lagos launched a $50 million dollars fund for NOGAPS Manufacturing Product Line.

The fund is to incentivize companies that would operate in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks and engage in the manufacturing of equipment components used in the oil and gas industry and linkage sectors.

Speaking at the signing, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote mentioned that the fund would support oil and gas companies that would operate in the oil and gas parks developed by the Board in Bayelsa and Cross River State.

He reiterated that the fund will only be accessed by companies that take up spaces in the park to procure equipment or build their manufacturing shopfloor within the park.

Wabote pointed that the NOGAPs Manufacturing Fund is different from the initial $300 million fund being managed by BOI with five product lines which aims at supporting Nigerian businesses that contribute their one percent to the Nigerian Content Development Fund.

The new fund would be a stand-alone product line with distinct fund allocation and special eligibility criteria and collateral structure. According to Wabote ”the decision of the Board to establish the product was informed by the peculiarities of the manufacturing sector, which include infrastructure challenges, long gestation, long lead time before returns, low margins on products, and high risk attached to the endeavor, in addition to the reluctance of commercial banks to lend to the sector and application of stiff collateral and eligibility criteria where loans are extended.”

On the criteria for accessing the NOGAPS manufacturing funds, the Executive Secretary hinted that unlike that Nigerian Content Intervention Funds which requires companies to be contributors before they can benefit, the NOGAPS fund can be accessed by companies that will be domiciled and will manufacture their products within the parks.

He said: “The Fund will provide loans to Nigerian companies that meets the criteria to operate in any of the designated NOGAPS Industrial Park for the purpose of financing manufacturing activities, purchase of fixed assets, working capitals and logistic. Beneficiaries will get a maximum single obligor of $3m and minimum of single obligor of $250,000.00with one year moratorium repayable within five years at five percent interest per annum.”

On the incentives available in the NOGAPS park, Wabote disclosed that the rate for accommodation is reduced, power is guaranteed, and the rent will only begin to count when the company commences manufacturing.

In his remarks, the Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Mr. Olukayode Pitan applauded the Board for being a partner in progress. He noted that the fund will further help promote in-country manufacturing as well as creation of employment.

Pitan pointed that the interest rate will help companies to easily access the product and payback. “The interest rates are very good just like the initial fund which is less than ten percent and the same thing will apply to this one. All we are looking for are Nigerians who want to manufacture in Nigeria.”

He charged Nigerian companies to harness the opportunity to pick up space within the park to produce locally.

The Board established the NCI Fund in 2018 with the purpose of financing Oil and Gas companies to increase capacity and grow Nigerian Content in the Industry Presently, the NCI Fund has five product lines which are being managed by the Bank of Industry.

They include – Manufacturing Finance -$10 million; Asset Acquisition Finance -$10 million; Contract Finance -$5 million; Loan Refinance -$10 million and Community Contractor Finance – N20 million.

The Board also has a $30 million Working Capital Fund for oil and gas service companies and $20 million Fund for Women in Oil and Gas Intervention Fund.

The last two facilities are administered by the Nexim Nigerian Export-Import Bank and the agreements were signed in mid-2021.

On the sideline of the event, the two chief Executives signed a supplementary memorandum of understanding for the $300m Nigerian Content Intervention Fund for extension of the agreement.

NCRIB: ‘80% of Policyholders Complaining about Insurance Didn’t Patronise Brokers’

Business Journal

09/03/2023

L-R: Mr. Atanda Olatokunbo, Controller, Internal Audit & Compliance, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB); Falade Adedayo, Assistant Executive; Mr. Tope Adaramola, Executive Secretary/CEO and Mr. Dele Ayeleso, Corporate Communications Manager when members of the Insurance & Pension Editors of Nigeria (IPEN) paid a courtesy call on the leadership of NCRIB in Lagos yesterday.

Mr. Tope Adaramola, Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) says more than 80 percent of policyholders that complain about insurance did not patronise registered insurance brokers during the process of procuring insurance cover.

Adaramola made the disclosure when members of the Insurance & Pension Editors of Nigeria (IPEN) visited the Council on courtesy visit in Lagos yesterday.

The NCRIB CEO said: “More than 80 percent of complaints of non-payment of claims, inappropriate treatment of the insured by insurance firms usually come from those that did not patronise registered insurance brokers during the contract process. Brokers are technical intermediaries that guide the insured in the insurance contract process to enable policyholders enjoy maximum value from their insurance policies.”

Adaramola added that brokers are more permanent in terms of reach and visibility that insurance marketers that could leave or change employment at any time without notice, leaving policyholders vulnerable and stranded. He said that brokers have achieved better branding than before.

“The media should help brokers to inform the general public on the importance of registered insurance brokers in the insurance value chain. The advancement of the insurance industry is inextricably tied to the advancement of the media industry.”

He commended members of IPEN for taking the step to achieve better penetration for the insurance industry in Nigeria. He also praised them for their individual and collective contribution to the NCRIB and the insurance sector in Nigeria over the years.

“We appreciate your focus on professionalism, discipline and ethics. Discipline is the hallmark of institutions that desires to achieve greatness. Discipline will stand you out from other Associations. Life is about competition. Be the driver of that competition.”

IWD2023: Unity Bank Unveils Women Network to Promote Advocacy for Gender Equity

Business Journal

09/03/2023

As part of initiatives to mark International Women’s Day, IWD 2023, Nigerian lender, Unity Bank Plc has announced the launch of Unity Bank Women Network to foster greater inclusion, equity, and opportunities designed to promote gender empowerment.

While announcing the commencement of the initiative in Lagos, the Managing Director of Unity Bank Plc, Mrs. Tomi Somefun said, as women, “we must also do our part to create a more equitable society that empowers women, drives them to do more, entrust them with responsibilities, and celebrate their achievements every step of the way”.

Unity Bank Women’s Network is conceptualised as a gender advocacy platform to enable the Bank to target and champion initiatives to promote networking and relationships beginning with females within the institution, providing mentorship opportunities and advocacy on social and other relevant issues such as gender equality, parenting, financial education, and leadership.

While naming the Bank’s Chief Compliance Officer, Mrs. Patricia Ahunanya as the Co-ordinator of the Women Network, Somefun added: “I believe this Network will promote more visibility, inclusion, and collaboration amongst women within our organisation”.

Speaking further on this year’s IWD theme, #EmbraceEquity, Somefun said the day provides another opportunity to reflect on the ongoing advocacy for gender equality, adding, “as women, we must always take the time to think about the role we play in creating a sustainable future through our contribution to the success of our organisations, homes, businesses, and the entire society, and evaluate our level of impact and influence”.

She, therefore, pledged that as an institution, “Unity Bank will continue to create an enabling and equitable environment that focuses on empowering its female workforce by creating an atmosphere in which women can thrive irrespective of culture, background, and education.”

While speaking on the launch of the Unity Bank Women Network, Mrs. Patricia said that after creating impact with many collaborative initiatives to empower women, it is very significant that the Bank is at last domesticating a viable project initiative to further co-create and drive impact.

To demonstrate commitment to gender inclusion, Unity Bank is one of the financial institutions in Nigeria that has up to three female representatives on its Board and has over the years celebrated the IWD with socially impactful initiatives aimed at empowering women and creating an enabling environment for the female gender to thrive.

In the 2022 edition, the Bank collaborated with ALTSchool Africa to empower female software engineers, a strategic initiative aimed at empowering the female gender to participate actively in the burgeoning technology sector.

In a similar vein, the Bank also partnered with the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, NASME to roll out an engagement programme for women entrepreneurs in commemoration of the IWD in March 2022.

Brokers Target Generation of 90% Premium in Insurance Sector

Business Journal

09/03/2023

The Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) says the future target of brokers is to generate as much as 90 percent of premium income in the Nigerian insurance industry from the current level of 60 percent.

The Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) said earlier that insurance brokers facilitated 60 percent of businesses in the insurance sector in the 2022 financial year.

Mr. Tope Adaramola, Executive Secretary/CEO of the NCRIB said in Lagos yesterday during a courtesy visit on the Council by members of the Insurance & Pension Editors of Nigeria (IPEN) that though brokers have been active intermediaries in the insurance value chain over the years, the brokerage fraternity intends to further increase its contribution in terms of revenue generation in the sector to 90 per cent.

Urging individuals and corporates to channel their risk underwriting through registered brokers who would properly advise policyholders on the right cover for their risks, he added that registered brokers are in a better position to interpret the terms and conditions of insurance policies to policyholders to know ahead of time what their insurance policies covers and likely exemptions.

He promised that brokers will not relent in their efforts to increase its stake in the growth of the industry through its awareness programmes across the six geo-political zones of the country in a bid to enhance insurance penetration, adoption and acceptance in the country.

He pledged the Council’s support to the programmes of IPEN, believing that the industry needs more players in the area of advocacy to increase acceptance and contribution of insurance to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“I have listened to your President reeling out the lofty plans of the Group to increase insurance and pension penetration through developmental journalism and I must confess, they were all new and laudable initiatives that, when well implemented, will turn around the fortunes of the insurance industry.”

He said the goal of the new association and that of the Council are in agreement in the area of advocacy, urging IPEN to see NCRIB as a partner in progress and should not hesitate to call upon the Council when the need arises.

Insurance & Pension Editors of Nigeria Visits NCRIB

Business Journal

09/03/2023

Stanbic IBTC Bank Named by PenCom for Funding of RSA-Backed Mortgage

Business Journal

07/03/2023

Stanbic IBTC Bank, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, has been named as one of the banks to process Retirement Savings Account (RSA) backed mortgages by the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

The RSA Backed mortgage initiative of the Pension Commission allows contributors to use up to 25% of their contribution as equity to purchase a home in their chosen area. This is barely two years after the commission launched the transfer window initiative.

In seeking opportunities to help contributors get more value from their contribution ahead of their retirement, the commission has partnered with Financial Institutions such as Stanbic IBTC Bank to make funds available to verified contributors to buy homes while using part of their RSA balance as equity contribution.

Stanbic IBTC has reaffirmed its commitment to the growth of Nigeria’s real estate sector in alleviating the housing challenge in the urban and sub-urban regions of the country; with the commencement of the validation process for RSA holders who have shown interest in the home loan.

Speaking on the collaboration, Olu Delano, Head, Consumer, and High Networth Clients, Stanbic IBTC Bank, stated that this opportunity aligns with the bank’s strategic focus of enabling all Nigerians to Live a Better Life and making dreams possible for clients. In this case, the vision is accomplished by providing affordable loan solutions to meet housing needs and supporting pension contributors in extracting value from their contributions before retirement.

He said: “Housing is one of the basic human needs, and in Nigeria, home ownership is a real challenge for many individuals and families. Therefore, Stanbic IBTC is supporting PenCom to help bridge the accessibility gap.”

“We want to provide affordable loan solutions for our customers and Nigerians to meet their basic and business needs, one of which is housing for residential and business use”, he added.

Stanbic IBTC remains laser-focused on delivering value to its numerous customers, and the RSA Backed mortgage is just one of the ways the organisation is living up to its commitment.

Social Good: Sanlam Nigeria Donates to Special Needs Organisations

Business Journal

07/03/2023

L-R: Bode Opadokun, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Sanlam General Insurance Nigeria Limited; Chidi Nwankwo, National Co-ordinator, Association for Handicapped Persons Welfare; and Tunde Mimiko, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Sanlam Life Insurance Nigeria Limited, at the cheque presentation to support the Association of Handicapped Person’s Welfare borehole construction project and infrastructures for the welfare of members living with disability.

In line with its Corporate Social Responsibility exertions, Sanlam Nigeria, formerly known as FBN Insurance Limited and FBN General Insurance Limited recently donated cash to support various activities of the Association for Handicapped Person’s Welfare and the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria.

While receiving officers of the non-governmental organisation at the Head Office of Sanlam Life, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Sanlam Life Insurance Nigeria Limited, Tunde Mimiko, acknowledged the good work that is being done by both organisations while reiterating the continued support of Sanlam Nigeria.

“We appreciate the good work you are doing to support and care for those with special needs, so we are also extending our show of love in appreciation. We promise to continue in this light,” Mimiko said. “As a brand whose overall drive is to help her stakeholders live with confidence, we understand the challenge associated with special needs people, and commit to always be that brand that stands by them, boosting their confidence and helping them lead a fulfilling life,” he concluded.

The National Coordinator of the Association for Handicapped Person’s Welfare, Chidi Nwankwo, speaking on behalf of both NGOs, expressed his profound gratitude to the insurer for its show of love and kind support to the people living with disability. “We appreciate Sanlam Nigeria for always standing by us and attending to our needs whenever they arise. “We pray that the Almighty God will reward your labour of love,” Nwankwo enthused.

In his reaction, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Sanlam General Insurance Nigeria Limited, Bode Opadokun, also appreciated the members of staff of the Association and Foundation for going extra miles for mankind. “We appreciate your commitments. Please keep it up,” Opadokun charged.

Recall that Sanlam Nigeria rebranded from FBN Insurance Limited and FBN General Insurance Limited in September 2022, following the divestiture of FBN Holdings’ 65% stake in June 2020, making Sanlam Nigeria fully owned by the Sanlam Group, SA.

Sanlam is a pan-African brand with a rich history and heritage founded in 1918 as a life insurance company.

The brand has grown to become Africa’s largest non-banking financial services group, with a strong presence in 33 countries on the African continent, and a niche presence in India, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and Australia. Indeed, Sanlam operates in 8 out of the 10 largest economies in Africa, with over 154,000 employees globally, delivering superior value to customers, shareholders and the broader society.

International Women’s Day 2023: ‘STI Believes in a World of Equality’

Business Journal

07/03/2023

As the world gets set to celebrate the International Women’s Day on March 8, 2023, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Mr. Olaotan Soyinka has said that the Underwriting Firm is an equal gender organisation that gives vent to the aspiration and ambition of members of staff irrespective of the gender, tribe, or religious affiliation.

He equally stated that premium is placed on meritocracy and good professional conduct from all and sundry in the organisation.

In his goodwill address to the Female Employees of the organization at a special session organized for them in commemoration of the global event, Soyinka seized the moment to appreciate and honour them accordingly.

In his words: “As we celebrate all our women the world over on March 8, 2023, I want to particularly express my profound support and appreciation to our great 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 very exciting working with you all. As you are all aware, our organisation is an equal gender-based one driven by professionalism, dedication, and commitment to good corporate governance ethics. An attestation to this fact is seen in the composition of the Management structure of the organisation as quite a number of 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. She has this to say:

“I could not have asked for more. 27 years ago, when I joined the organisation as a fresh graduate with little or no experience in the insurance industry, I was what anyone would literarily describe as a rookie but today, with the right tutelage and guidance, I have become what you will describe as a weather-beaten and experienced insurance practitioner operating at the top echelon of the organisation and the industry as a whole.”

According to her, the climb to the ladder has not been fortuitous, but rather, it has been that of hard work, dedication to duty and commitment with support from every member of staff irrespective of the gender as the organisation gives equal opportunity to everyone who is ready to do the work diligently without playing to the gallery.

She equally thanked the Management for giving a lot of other women in the system high profile responsibilities across the company’s operations.

Amongst such high-ranking officers in the organisation are Angela Uche-Onochi,e an Assistant General Manager and a pioneer staff who heads the Eastern Operations of Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Bisola Asaju, an Assistant General Manager as well as the Head of General Internal Services under the Finance and Corporate Services Division of the organisation.

One of such amazons is Victoria Eze who heads one of the sales teams in the Head Office in the capacity of an Assistant General Manager as well.

As all attention will be focused on women all over the world on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc is wishing all the women a hearty International Women’s Day celebration as they choose to #embrace Equality in a world of innovation driven by technology.

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