The Association of Registered Insurance Agents says it will recognise those who have contributed to the development of the agency’s system during its next annual general meeting.
In a statement by the body on Saturday, its President, Mr. Kingsley Obuvie, said the agency’s system was relevant at enhancing insurance penetration in the country.
“We are giving awards to one of the founding fathers of insurance brokerage in the country; we will also be giving an award to the best agency nationwide. This is part of our efforts at developing the agency in Nigeria,” he said.
He said the association had about five chapters in different states of the federation and planned to register its presence in all the states too.
The ARIAN boss said that currently, there were about 20,000 insurance agents operating in the country, but regretted that only about 3,500 were licensed by the National Insurance Commission.
He said the association was seeking the support of the insurance companies and NAICOM to ensure that all operating agents were registered properly.
Obuvie said that most insurance companies were seeing the need to work with the agents as a prerequisite to grow their market share in the industry.
The statement added that the executives of ARIAN paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman, Scib Insurance Brokers, Bode Ogunlana. ARIAN said it planned to give Ogunlana the highest award in the association, which is a lifetime award for his contributions to the industry, most especially the agency business.
It noted that Ogunlana had been a major force in bringing the insurance industry to its present level in the country.
The delegation was led by a former Commissioner for Insurance, Chief Oladipupo Bailey, who is also the patron of the association; Vice-President, ARIAN, Ms. Ikeji Chijindu; the Secretary-General, ARIAN, Mr. Gbadebo Olamerun; Social Secretary, Mr. Jegede Kehinde; and President, Obuvie.
