As Insurers Celebrate Female Counterparts

The International Women’s day is a global event that holds March 8 every year. In this year’s edition, insurers rolled out drums to celebrate their female counterparts, writes

The establishment of the Professional Insurance Ladles Association (PILA) by the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria(CIIN) in 1973 as the first female professional body in Nigeria is a demonstration of spirit of inclusiveness and gender positiveness among leaders and drivers of the Nigeria insurance sector. Added to this is the good number of female insurance chief executives and board members the industry has produced in recent times. All these attest to the fact that the industry cherishes and celebrates women’s positive contributions towards growth and development of the insurance sector and the economy in general.

A peep into the structure of insurance sector workforce shows that today, the industry sits on pillar of Amazons such as Joyce Ojemudia as Managing Director African Alliance Insurance Plc having taken over leadership baton of the life insurance specialist from another Amazon Funmi Omo the erstwhile Managing Director who is now the Managing Director Enterprise Life Assurance.

Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu is another big fish produced by the industry who is the Managing Director, Premier Royal Exchange Assurance Plc. Adetola Adegbayi who just stepped aside as Executive Director, Technical, Leadway Assurance is another gem among the female leaders in the insurance sector. Not to be forgotten are Funmi Babington Ashaye, former President Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, Yetunde Ilori, Director General Nigeria Insurers Association and Adebola Odukale formerly of Capital Express Assurance just to mention but few.

This spirit of recognition of women’s efforts and willingness to encourage and empower them for more contributions was recently demonstrated by the industry operators as management of various insurance firms rolled out their drums to celebrate their female employees at this year’s international Women’s day celebrated on March 8th 2024.

Indeed management of various insurance firms showed solidarity in praising their female workers as special breed among all God’s creatures.

INSURANCE FIRMS CELEBRATING

Insurance firms at the forefront of the celebration include Sunu Assurance, which joined force with female journalists covering insurance and pension to make this year’s edition of International Women’s Day a joyous occasion for women in the two professions.

Felicitating the female staff of Sunu Assurance and female members of National Association of Insurance and Pension Editors (NAIPE) during this year’s celebration, Sunu Assurance Managing Director, Mr Samuel Ogbodu, said Sunu group as an international firm has over 50 percent of the Managing Directors and Deputy Managing Directors as female.

He said this year’s theme: “Inspire Inclusion,” perfectly aligns with the core values and aspirations the company holds.

“International Women’s Day serves as a powerful reminder of the remarkable achievements of women throughout history and the ongoing journey towards gender equality. It is a day to celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of women in every sphere of life”, he said.

According to him, Inspire Inclusion calls upon us to reflect on the importance and value of inclusivity in our workplaces, communities, and beyond. It challenges us to break down barriers and create environments where everyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background, feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.

He said in our respective roles in the organisation and society at large, we have a responsibility to champion inclusion in all aspects of our work.

He said at SUNU Group, the management was committed to promoting a culture of inclusion where it was not just celebrated but embraced as a source of strength and innovation.

“We recognise the importance of creating supportive and equitable environment where every employee. regardless of gender, feels empowered to reach their full potential. On this International Women’s Day. let us reaffirm our commitment to inspire inclusion all that we do. Let us pledge to create workplaces and communities where inclusion is not only valued but celebrated, and where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive,” he advised.

He said together insurance firms could inspire inclusion, break down barriers, and pave the way for a more equitable, and inclusive future for all

Throwing light into the structure of Sunu ‘s workforce he said at the board level, the company has seven members out of which four were men and three women .