MATTHEW OTOIJAGHA
Determined to deepen insurance penetration, a group has announced plans to unveil a platform christened, Retail Insured Family Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) aimed at promoting retail insurance business in the country.
A statement by the Coordinator of RIFAN, Chief Ali Ugwu Theophilus, said the Association will be unveiled on Thursday November 22, 2018 at the National Press Centre, Radio House, Area 10, Garki, Abuja by 10am.
According to him, the theme of the event is, ‘Enhancing Insurance Confidence in Nigeria: The Role of Policyholders’, adding that the event will attract stakeholders from all sectors of the economy.
He noted that the body is an association of insurance policyholders registered under the Federal Government of Nigeria on June 28, 2017 as a Non-Profit Organization and that the association is poised to assist the insurance industry in creating awareness; enhance public confidence on insurance by facilitating prompt settlement of claims and protecting the rights of policyholders who are members.
He said the former Managing Director, FORTIS Insurance Brokers Limited, Hon. Lawrence Dafiode, will be the Chairman of the event, while Former Assistant Director, Inspectorate, National Insurance Commission and currently Principal Consultant/Chief Executive Officer, ISG Consulting Limited, Mr. Sam Onyeka PhD., is the guest speaker.
Other dignitaries expected are, leadership of National Insurance Commission (NAICOM); Chairman, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mr. Tope Smart; Executive Secretary, Nigeria Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Fatai Adegbenro, leadership of Nigerian Security Agencies and top government personnel.
Chief Theophilus, who decried the low state of insurance in the country, maintained that retail business remains the best channel to drive insurance to the grassroots, stressing that his association will ensure that within few years from now, insurance will be cherished and bought in Nigeria as observed in other climes.
He lauded efforts taken by NAICOM to address the challenge of low insurance penetration, adding that RIFAN will complement the efforts of NAICOM to take insurance industry to lofty heights. He called on well-meaning Nigerians to join the association so as to harness the enormous opportunities to be created for members who should be policyholders.
According to him, the association will operate across the nation and that adequate attention will be giving to people at the grassroots who are presently almost not covered by any form of insurance.