By Henry Uche
AIICO, AXA Mansard and NEM insurance companies; Noor Takaful, Dangote Group, amongst others have been honoured at the 2023 Almond Insurance Industry Nite of Honour for their outstanding performances and contributions to insurance growth in Nigeria.
Also honoured were six individuals selected and voted by the awards panel of udges based on their understanding of the Nigerian market.
Put together by Almond Productions Limited, the 2023 Almond Insurance Industry Awards and Consumers’ Nite tagged ‘Rewarding Excellence’, took place during the weekend in Lagos with dignitaries drawn from within and outside the insurance industry.
Conducted via online voting over a period of six months started with calls for nomination from operators and the insuring public all the way to selection before the final voting process and short listing of eventual winners.
Speaking at the ceremony, the chairman of the award panel, Prisca Soares, affirmed that the panel ensured fairness and integrity of the process as over 1,797 persons voted for nominees in the seven categories.
AXA Mansard emerged General Insurance Company of the Year, while AIICO Insurance clinched the Life Insurance Company of the Year. Scib Nigeria & Co won Insurance Broking Company of the Year whilst Shola Tinubu won Insurance Broker of the Year.
Mr. Tope Smart, GMD, NEM Insurance Plc (Now Chairman) won Insurance CEO of the Year and Lawrence Nazare of Continental Reinsurance Plc won Reinsurance CEO of the Year. Noor Takaful emerged as Takaful Company of the Year, Dangote Group of Companies won Most Valuable Insurance Customer of the Year.
Insurance Life Achievers Awards went to Mr. Oye Hassan-Odukale; Mr. Wole Oshin and Mr. Eddie Efekoha for their contributions to the companies they lead and the industry at large. On the broking side Mr. Shola Tinubu, Mr. Amos Adeyeye and Babajide Agbeja were honoured for their contributions to the growth and development of the broking profession, while a tribute paid to the Late Insurance ICON, Prof. J.O Irukwu, SAN. The organizers have promised an even bigger and better outing in 2024.
Receiving the awards, winners in a very similar tone avowed that the recognitions would only spur them to greater heights in their respective domain to boost the sector. They averred that with a conscious and decisive efforts to offer insuring public best experience, the sector under review would soar.