Buhari tasks insurers on developing non oil sector

 

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has added colour and seal of authority on the on- going African Insurance Organization (AIO) conference with his appearance at the opening session of the three day event where he urged insurance practitioners in Africa to work around developing the continent’s non oil sector as a way of grower her economy.

The charge came as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance Zainab Ahmed  challenged insurance professionals attending the conference to tailor insurance products and services towards areas of need.

 President Buhari had earlier in his virtual address to the 47th session of AIO conference which  is holding in Lagos to take advantage of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to grow non-oil sector of the economy through innovation.

The president who commended the role of insurers in encouraging medical practitioners to tackle spread of COVID-19 said the Insurance sector will play a vital role in the diversification of the economy by bringing “necessary stability, economic sustainability, revenue generation, job creation and financial inclusiveness.’’

“There is a great future for the Insurance industry in Africa. We only need to put the right mechanism in place for it to thrive. I assure you that this administration has and will continue to support Insurance growth in Nigeria and Africa at large.

“I commend the leadership of the AIO for the resilience, foresight and perseverance in ensuring that the African Insurance market strives to meet its expectations in the global market notwithstanding the prevailing challenges,’’ he said.

President Buhari said the theme of the conference, “Rebuilding Africa’s Economy: An Insurance Perspective”, was apt and well thought out to respond to the reality of the moment as many governments try to devise ingenious ways to manage their economy in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The pandemic has indeed changed many perspectives that have forced leaders across the globe to think hard for remedies.

“I want to assure you that we in Nigeria are doing everything humanly possible to ensure coordinated approach to the pandemic and reaching out to other African leaders on possible best options to fully revive the African economy in which I strongly believe the Insurance industry has a vital role to play,’’ he added.

The President noted that the COVID-19 pandemic presented a global challenge which led to lockdown of many countries, travel restrictions, and issuance of many health protocols, affecting all human, social and economic interactions that made hosting of the Conference impossible in 2020.

“COVID-19 is still a serious challenge in many countries across the globe. However, adequate protocols have been put in place to curb its spread and vaccination is in progress.

“We understand as a government and nation the need to frontally tackle some of the disruptions to our social, economic and health occasioned by the pandemic by putting in place sufficient measures that allow the system to function.

“I once again use this opportunity to commend the Nigerian Insurance industry for identifying with the government through the provision of life insurance set of packages for frontline medical and paramedical personnel in the course of this fight. Your support and solidarity in these times are highly appreciated,’’ he added.

President Buhari thanked the Organizing Committee for successfully putting the conference together, adding that the subtopics listed for discussions were germane and critical in helping Nigeria and Africa rebuild.

“We are aware that the AIO’s Conference and Annual General Meeting is rotated amongst member states in order to provide a forum for exchange of information and strategies on market development while promoting regional knowledge and integration.

“We received the news of the decision of the Executive Committee of the AIO granting Nigeria the hosting rights of this 47th edition of the AIO Conference with pleasure. As a country, we are confident in our ability to deliver the best conference ever in year 2020 before the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic,’’ President Buhari affirmed.

In her remarks, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, said the foresight of the founders of the AIO deserved commendation as it had fostered African integration agenda and how best to collectively address shortcomings.

The Minister urged the Insurance sector to design their products around the needs of society, especially for low income earners, noting that greater impact on development would only be possible by looking at the African peculiarity.

The President of AIO, Mrs Delphine Traore, who is also the Chief Operations Officer, Alliance Africa, said the conference was last held in Nigeria in year 2000, assuring that innovation in the sector would help in complementing government efforts in development.

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the setting up of a Health Sector Reform Committee to commence the development and implementation of a Health Sector Reform programme for Nigeria in collaboration with the State Governments and the FCT administration. This is sequel to a Health Sector Diagnostic Review Report developed by a consultant, Vesta Healthcare Partners and the Federal Ministry of Health.

 

The committee will undertake a review of all healthcare reforms adopted in the past two decades and lessons learnt and factor them into the development of the new Health Sector Reform Programme.

 

The committee which is set up for a period of six months under the Chairmanship of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has members drawn from private and public sector health care management professionals, development partners, representatives from the National Assembly as well as the Nigeria Governors Forum among others.

 

Other members are:  His Excellency Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State ; Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Honourable Minister of Health; Mr. Alex Okoh, Director General BPE; Prof Ibrahim Abubakar, a Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at University College London and Director of the UCL Institute for Global Health; Mr Babatunde Irukera, Director General, Federal Competition and Consumer  Protection Council; Senator( Dr)  Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe;  Dr. Adedamola Dada;  Dr. Sani Aliyu;  Dr. Mairo Mandara; Dr. Haliru Yahaya, Emir of Shonga;  Professor Uche Amazigbo ; Director Hospital Services, Federal Ministry of Health; Dr Faisal Shuaib; Prof Nasiru Sambo; Dr Ifedayo Morayo Adetifa; Dr Gambo Aliyu.

 

Others in the committee are: Dr Betta Edu (Chairman, Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum representing National Council on Health); President Nigeria Medical Association;  President Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria; President National Association of Nigeria Nurses & Midwives;  President Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria ; Mrs Temi Marcella Awogboro ; Dr. Muhammad Sadiq;  Dr. Azubike Tagbo and  World Health Organization, Nigeria.

 

Vesta Healthcare Partners and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are to serve as resource persons and have observer roles in the committee.

 

Meanwhile, President Buhari has also approved the appointment of Dr Ifedayo Morayo Adetifa as the new Director General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The President has named him as a member of this important committee

 

 

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