The Chairman of NEM Insurance Plc, Mr. Tope Smart has applauded the Nigerian Association of Insurance and Pension Editors (NAIPE) for giving him Award of Excellence.
Smart received the NAIPE Award of Excellence and Stewardship for the impact he has made in the insurance industry, not only in Nigeria but at the continental level as the Past President of the African Insurance Organisation (AIO).
Aside being the past Group Managing Director/CEO of NEM Insurance Plc, he was also the past Chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), among others.
In all these endeavours, Smart distinguished himself as an exceptional operator, a friend and supporter of insurance journalists.
While receiving the award in his office, Smart said the accolade is a message for him to do more to ensure that the insurance industry takes its rightful place in the national economy and discourse.
“I have a personal philosophy that what is worth doing is worth doing well. What shaped my perception was the derogatory image our Head of Department in the university created about insurance companies in Nigeria then. He had highest regard for foreign insurers and disregarded the local ones. From that moment, I decided that I must make a difference. So, when I joined the industry, I tried my best to be able to change the narrative. The NEM building on Ikorodu road was built without any bank loan to the glory of God and it has become the envy of others.”
While appreciating every member of NAIPE, he said he and the Group have come a long way together.
“I run a business and I know it’s not easy to run a business. So, for you guys, especially, those who run their media platforms to be there with tenacity, despite all the struggles in the business operating environment and still making a difference, it is commendable and I will continue to support your projects in a joint effort to develop the insurance industry.”
On her part, the Chairman of NAIPE, Mrs. Nkechi Naeche Esezobor appreciated the support and partnership of Mr. Tope Smart and his company, NEM Insurance over the years, saying the Group never took them for granted.
“This building (NEM Insurance) was what made many insurance companies to start making their buildings big. Every company coming in is looking at doing what NEM did because you have challenged them. Your efforts can never be in vain. As an Association, we feel it is good to recognise people when they are alive. We appreciate what you have done for the industry and we felt we needed to appreciate this feat in our 10th anniversary of organising our annual conference,” she noted.
Meanwhile, the Chairman, 2025 NAIPE Annual Conference, Mr. Roland Okoro said Mr. Tope Smart ticked all the boxes when assessing the personalities to be awarded, calling on him not to rest on his oars towards deepening insurance acceptance, penetration and recognition.
