AIO Conference to help rebuild African economies – Official

  Stakeholders in the African insurance industry are working hard to ensure insurance contributes to ongoing efforts to rebuild economies seriously impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Hence, Mr Sunday Thomas, Commissioner for Insurance, is liaising with various ministries and agencies to support the 47th Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Africa Insurance Organisations (AIO) scheduled to hold in Nigeria.

Mrs Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu, Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), said this at a news briefing on Tuesday in Lagos.

Nwachukwu said the conference would boost the country’s economy through bilateral discussions and partnership for investment with other countries across the continent.

“The hosting right to the conference will give the opportunity to showcase the Nigeria insurance industry, the Nigeria culture and hospitality.

“The event would also promote economic activities through buying and selling, partnership for investment and bilateral discussions for immediate and long term benefits,” she said.

Nwachukwu explained that the AIO Secretariat in conjunction with the LOC decided to hold the event as a hybrid due to the COVID-19 pandemic to cater for those who will not be able to attend physically.

She said the theme of the conference was, “Rebuilding Africa’s Economy: An Insurance Perspective,” and a strong faculty had been assembled to deliver the papers.

“Nigeria hosted the conference about 21 years ago.

“It is to the credit of the past leadership of the Nigeria Insurance Association (NIA), the leadership of other arms of the insurance industry that we have the honour of hosting this 47th edition of the conference.

“This conference was scheduled to hold last year but due to the covid-19 pandemic, the AIO secretariat in conjunction with LOC decided to hold it this year as a hybrid event to cater for those who will not be able to attend physically.

“In planning this conference at this time, we have taken full cognisance of all the health protocols and restrictions on public gathering, hence the decision to make it a hybrid event,” she said.

According to her, the LOC is limiting the number of physical attendees while others are encouraged to take advantage of the virtual conference, which will be as seemless as possible to participate from their different locations.

Nwachukwu stated that all COVID-19 protocols would be observed and implemented for the physical attendees.

The LOC chairman noted that the committee, in collaboration with the Federal and Lagos State governments, would provide adequate security for the participants.

Nwachukwu noted that one of the major highlights of the 47th conference is the assumption of Mr Tope Smart, immediate past Chairman, NIA and Group Managing Director, NEM Insurance into office as next president of the pan African Organisation for the next one year.