By Henry Uche
A panel of leading insurance executives – Mrs. Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu of Rex Insurance Limited, Mr. Razzaq Abiodun of Lasaco Assurance Plc, and Mr. Akinjide Orimolade of Stanbic IBTC Insurance Limited – is set to dissect the factors determining a fulfilling versus a difficult retirement experience for Nigerian senior citizens.
Convened by Inspenonline Media, the forum, themed “Attaining Good Retirement Amid Economic Headwinds,” will take place on Wednesday, May 7th, at NECA House, Ikeja, Lagos. The keynote address will be delivered by Adetola Adegbayi, Founder of Mutual Specialists, who is expected to provide in-depth insights into the central theme.
Joining the discourse as resource persons are Dr. Samson Akinyemi, Executive Secretary of the Certified Pension Institute of Nigeria; Oluwafemi Adebayo, Executive Director, Sales & Investment at Leadway Pensure; Nze Peter Nze, National Chairman of the Forum of Pension Desk Officers of Federal Government Treasury-Funded MDAs; Babatunde Owate, Director General of the Ondo State Pension Commission; Stephen Alangbi, Managing Director of Cornerstone Insurance Plc; Comrade Funmi Sessi, Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Lagos State Chapter; Adewale Oyerinde, Director General of NECA; and Olatubosun Mayowa, National President of the Association of Registered Insurance Agents of Nigeria.
The Promoter of the summit, who is also Publisher of Inspenonline, Mr. Chuks Udo Okonta, said the Summit was informed by findings which showed that about 90 per cent of retirees enter post-retirement life without knowing what awaits them, due to inappropriate preparation; hence the need to find solutions to attain good retirement amid current economic headwinds.
“The summit is expected to open the space for post-retirement programmes and training which are presently non-existent in the country. It will also spotlight how the public can leverage opportunities in the insurance, pension, and other sectors to plan for a comfortable life in retirement. “The summit is expected to assist in identifying challenges that have debarred people from enjoying a good life in retirement and underpin the roles to be played by the government, insurance and pension regulators, insurance and pension practitioners, citizens, and other stakeholders,” he said.
Other dignitaries lined up for the summit are: Former Commissioner for Insurance & Director of FBS Reinsurance Limited, Fola Daniel, who is the Chairman of the event. Commissioner for Insurance Segun Omosehin and Director General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Ms Omolola Olowolaran, are distinguished guests of honour.
Moreover, the President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, Mrs. Yetunde Ilori; Chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association, Mr. Kunle Ahmed; Chief Executive Officer of the Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria, Agudah Oguche; and President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, Prince Babatunde Oguntade, are special guests; while the Father and Mother of the Day are: Chairman of STI Leasing Limited, Tom Ogboi, and Managing Consultant of Motodols Consults, Mrs. Folashade Onanuga, respectively.
Chuks noted that participants at the event cut across all sectors, adding that they are drawn from labour movements, retirees’ groups, students, youth groups, insurance, pension, employers of labour, banking, farmers, informal sector workers, among others.
“The entrenchment of a structured and workable retirement system will engender economic growth and stem vices such as corruption and unethical practices. We, therefore, call on the public to take advantage of the forum, which is free, to acquire necessary knowledge that would help everyone in planning for a comfortable life in retirement,” he implored.