The MD/CEO, Olaotan Soyinka and members of the company’s strategic partners on Human Capital Development led by Dr. Alim Abubakre, Chair of TEXEM, UK (TEXEM stands for These Executive Minds). They are into training and human capital development initiatives.

Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc has once again reiterated its uncompromising stance on continuous manpower development as the basis for sustainable operational efficiency and business profitability.

The Management has identified this as the key critical factor for providing enhanced and seamless insurance service delivery to all policyholders under the stable of the organisation.

According to the Head of Human Resources of the Organisation, Adeola Onichabor “the company is not resting on its oars in ensuring that every employee in the system is adequately trained and developed to cope with the dynamics of the modern trends that are likely to emerge in this decade in the insurance and financial services in Nigeria.”

This assertion was made at the weekend at the training session organised for members of the Marketing and Technical staff in the Head Office of the underwriting firm.

The objective of the training was to encourage the staff members to embrace new ways of doing things as the world gets dynamic both in technology and human capital development. Earlier in the year, members of staff in other locations of the company were engaged in similar exercise.

The Head of Training and Human Capital Development said the training had become very imperative going by the recent happenings in the insurance industry and that the company needs to strategically position itself for the opportunities that the market might be bringing up in the near future.

“We want to be alive to our responsibilities as professional underwriters adding value to the insurance space in the country and beyond. We have identified the enormous opportunities embedded in the insurance market in the country and the most logical thing to do at this point is to prepare ourselves professionally in taking advantage of the opportunities that will definitely emerge at some point.”

In exploring the opportunities, we do not want to also lose sight of the professional implications and risk management issues involved which is why we have taken time out to educate and upgrade the knowledge base of our personnel who are critical to the operations of our business.

According to the Head of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations in the organisation, Segun Bankole, “the company has in the last couple of years been on the growth trajectory and we are desirous in maintaining the feat year-in, year-out which is why we have been so deliberate about exposing our staff to the best human capital development programmes that will in turn, make us competitive in the market.”

The Managing Director/CEO of the underwriting firm, Olaotan Soyinka sums it all up: “We see our members of staff as the most critical assets to the continuous growth of the organisation and we cannot shy away from the fact that they must be given the best of attention in terms of training and human development capacity. We want to be the company for now and the future.”

L-R: Mr. Charles Moki, Communication and Public Relations Officer of AIO, Mrs. Ebele Nwachukwu, Deputy Chairman of NIA, Mr. Jean Baptiste, Secretary General of AIO, Mr. Kunle Ahmed, Chairman of NIA, Mrs. Bola Odukale, DG of NIA during an official visit of AIO officials to the Nigerian insurerance market in Lagos.

The African Insurers Organisation (AIO) has moved to strengthen collaboration with the Nigerian insurance market while pledging more value in return for insurance companies of its member countries.

The Secretary General of the AIO, Mr. Jean Baptiste, said this during an official visit to the Nigerian Insurance Market in company of the AIO’s Communication and Public Relations Officer, Mr Charles Moki, hosted by the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) in Lagos.

The visit of the AIO officials to Nigeria began with a meeting with the NIA Chairman, Mr. Kunle Ahmed, flagged by the management of the NIA, led by the Director-General, Mrs. Bola Odukale, on Monday, May 5, 2025, followed by a meeting with the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of AIO member companies in Nigeria.

The visit extended to other arms of the industry on Tuesday and ended with a dinner organised by the NIA on Wednesday for the AIO officials, Past Chairman of the AIO, Mr. Tope Smart, board member of the AIO, Mr. Eddie Efekoha, and principal officers of various arms of the insurance industry.

Mr. Baptiste commended the growth and potential of the Nigerian insurance market, noting that the AIO has been led by Nigerian business leaders in the last 13 years.

“This is significant because it reflects strong support for the system and the organization. Nigeria contributes the highest number of delegates to AIO events yearly; hence, we are here to open conversation with our Nigerian members and ready to consider your remarks and suggestions to serve you better.

“I am impressed by the Nigerian insurance market’s resilience and potential for growth. The industry has shown remarkable progress, and I believe that with the right support and guidance, it can become a driving force in Africa’s economy, “he said.

The Secretary General highlighted the organisation’s achievements, including convincing the AFCTA Secretariat that AIO is the rightful voice of the African insurance industry.

According to him, the AIO is working on a feasibility study to harmonize regulatory frameworks across Africa, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funding from the Africa Reinsurance Corporation.

This, he said, would enable companies licensed in one country to operate in another without needing a new license and, as such, promote true integration.

The Secretary General also mentioned the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) developed by Afreximbank, which recognises insurers as key stakeholders.

He invited the industry’s stakeholders to attend the AIO’s upcoming general assembly at the end of the month, which will focus on the debt burden in Africa and its impact on the insurance industry.

“The theme of our upcoming general assembly is particularly relevant to the Nigerian insurance market. “The debt burden in Africa is a pressing issue, and insurers must have a seat at the table where Africa’s future is being discussed, “he said.

Commenting on behalf of the Nigeria member companies, the NIA Chairman, Mr. Ahmed appreciated the AIO officials for the visit, noting that the move to increase the benefits of its members would promote the organisation and grow its membership base.

Mr. Ahmed assured the AIO of the unrelenting support and collaboration of Nigerian insurers, while urging the AIO to support the Nigerian insurance market in its efforts to design a Mortality table, develop its Actuarial capacity and leverage on the opportunities in AFCTA.

emPLE Life Assurance Limited has announced the launch of BETA Life, an endowment policy designed to empower Nigerians to grow their wealth, secure their future, and protect what matters most.

In a market where financial uncertainty and underinsurance remain widespread, BETA Life offers a refreshing alternative.

The product offers a unique combination of protection and savings in one simple, flexible plan helping Nigerians meet their financial goals while staying protected through life’s uncertainties.

With three cash benefits spread over the policy term, BETA Life helps customers plan for real goals be it education, rent, homeownership, or business without having to wait till the end of the tenure to benefit from their plan.

Speaking on the launch, Rantimi Ogunleye, MD/CEO of emPLE Life Assurance Limited, said:

“BETA Life is more than a product; it’s a solution built around the realities of our customers. It’s for the parent who wants to secure their child’s future, the entrepreneur planning ahead, or the individual who wants to save smartly without losing the safety net of protection. We’ve brought together savings and life insurance into one plan, because we believe financial empowerment shouldn’t mean choosing one over the other.”

With flexible policy durations and multiple payout points, BETA Life is designed to adapt to a customer’s journey while providing peace of mind. In the unfortunate event of death or permanent disability, the plan ensures that loved ones or the policyholder are financially supported, proving that life insurance can be just as much about living well as it is about preparing for life’s uncertainties.

This launch is a continuation of emPLE’s mission to make life insurance more inclusive, relevant, and empowering, giving more Nigerians the tools to build financial resilience with confidence.

About emPLE

emPLE is a leading financial services company dedicated to providing insurance and investment solutions to retail and corporate clients across Africa.

At emPLE, our purpose is to empower Africans by providing innovative financial solutions that enhance their freedom, security, and prosperity.

We believe that true empowerment comes from providing not just access to financial products but also the knowledge and tools necessary for our customers to make informed decisions and achieve financial independence.

As the world marks this year’s edition of Workers’ Day on Thursday, May 1, 2025, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Mr. Olaotan Soyinka has lauded the efforts of Nigerian workers and their contributions to national development.

He noted that a virile and dedicated workforce is very instrumental and germane to the progress of any society. He gave this remark at the company’s Appreciation Day Ceremony held at the Head Office of the underwriting firm located in Victoria Island, Lagos.

He said the date, May 1, should be seen as a very important one because it is the day set aside to celebrate and give due respect to workers all over the world regardless of their social strata in the society. According to him, “every legitimate form of work is as important as the other and credence must be given to all and sundry without any bias”.

In appreciating the Staff of Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, the Managing Director/CEO of the underwriting firm congratulated all members of the Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc Team and urged them not to relent in the judicious discharge of their duties as they strive to maintain the worldclass standard of the STI Brand.

He further said that the Management of the company will not stop at investing in the development of the company’s human capital while also placing technology at the heart of its business operations. He equally assured the members of staff that their labour will not go in vain as they contribute their quota to the growth and advancement of the organisation.

He wished them all a hearty Workers’ Day on May 1, 2025, and encouraged them to always think of making the customer the focal point in their day-to-day activities. In his words, ‘our customers should be at the heart of our business just as we must not compromise on delivering service excellence at every given opportunity thrown our way’

The Head of Human Resources for Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Adeola Onichabor in her response to the MD/CEO’s speech thanked the Management for the uncompromising stance in investing in Training and Human Capital Development for members of staff both at the local and international level.

She made bold to say that Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc has on parade in the Insurance Industry, an array of professionals in different fields of specialisation who effectively compliment the efforts of the professional underwriters in the organisation.

She equally used the opportunity to thank and encourage her colleagues to continue in their stride of hard work and dedication to the ideals of the company. She enjoined them to also respect and honour one another in the discharge of their duties as the organisation strives to maintain best practice standards in the comity of insurance companies in the country and beyond.

Some members of staff who had been with the organisation from inception were equally recognised and appreciated for their commitment, unwavering dedication and contribution to the growth of the organisation in the last 30 years of the company’s formation.

Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc is an equal opportunity employer of labour with an uncompromising stance on high ethical standards and astute professionalism.

The Head of Human Resources and Capital Development equally used the opportunity to wish every Nigerian worker and workers globally, a happy celebration on Workers’ Day come May 1, 2025.