Welcome Address
By Mr. Eddie Efekoha
Vice-President
WAICA
I warmly welcome you to the 2023 Education Conference and 50th Anniversary celebrations of the West African Insurance Companies Association (WAICA), which we are privileged to be hosting in Nigeria.
We want to sincerely appreciate the Hon Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr. Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed for taking time out of her usually very tight schedule to be part of this event.
It bears eloquent testimony to her passion and interest in the insurance industry, and it is important to note that your support since assumption of office has been immense and very profound.
Let me also acknowledge the support of the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Olorundare Sunday Thomas who has been a source of inspiration and support to WAICA over the years.
I want to equally appreciate the excellent work done by the industry leaders and past presidents who laid the solid foundation upon which WAICA is standing.
As you all know, WAICA is the umbrella Association of insurance, reinsurance, and insurance broking companies in West Africa and over the years, WAICA has provided the platform for us to enrich our knowledge of insurance, share business information and network as insurance players in the sub-region.
It is in furtherance of these noble objectives that we have packaged this conference to address the issue of Rating of insurance companies in West Africa to reposition them for global competitiveness in the full realisation that insurance is a global business.
The theme of this year’s Conference which is: “Re-positioning the Insurance Industry in West Africa for Global Competitiveness” aptly captures our thoughts and expectations while the resource persons have been carefully selected to address the issue in a manner that presents all shades and perspectives.
Let me admit that putting up a conference of this magnitude within such a limited time is not easy. Credit must go to all members of the Local Organising Committee who worked tirelessly to make sure that we have a memorable Conference and 50th anniversary.
To all the delegates from across West Africa and beyond, we say a big welcome and to our Commissioners of Insurance here present, we appreciate your time and support and wish you the very best in your deliberations.
We are optimistic that the learnings you will take from this conference will make you better managers that will reposition insurance institutions across the sub-region and make the competitive globally.
We’re hopeful that you will leave this conference with very fond memories of your brief, but eventful stay in Nigeria.
Happy deliberations.
