Matthew Otoijagha
The Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) has once again, taken the demand for better recognition and placement of insurance professionals in the public service to the Federal Government.
Its President, Mrs. Funmi Babington-Ashaye, who made the demand at a courtesy to the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Ita-Oyo, noted that the institute had received complaints that some of its professionals are not adequately placed compared to their counterparts in accountancy and other professions in the service.
“Permit me to bring to your attention the issue of the recognition and placement of our professionals who are employed in the civil service. We have received the complaint that some of our professionals are not adequately placed compared to their counterparts in accountancy and other professions in the service.
“The Federal Ministry of Education visited our institute and carried out the evaluation of our certificates on April 8, 2010. The purpose of their assessment is to advise the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation on the standard or rating and relevance of the professional qualification of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria.
The 9-member Expert Assessors Committee made their recommendations on our certificates. Their recommendations were accepted by the Ministry. “At the end of their visit an evaluation report was issued in respect of our professional certificates as follows: Certificate:Certificate in Insurance would be rated as proficiency certificate for the enhancement of skills on the job.
“Diploma:Holders of the Diploma in Insurance should enter into post on salary grade level 06 in the Public Service.
“Advanced Diploma: Holders of Advanced Diploma in Insurance with an entry qualification of Diploma and 3 years post qualification experience should enter into post on salary grade level 07 in the Public Service.
“Advanced Diploma: Holders of Advanced Diploma in Insurance with an entry qualification of HND/BSC in Insurance should enter into post of Salary grade Level 09 in the public service.
“We were advised to write through NAICOM and Federal Ministry of Finance our supervising Ministry to the Head of Service so that these recommendations can be gazetted as recommended by Federal Ministry of Education. This has been done and we are still awaiting the official response from the Office of the Head of Service. We shall be grateful if this is given the due attention it requires,” she said.