By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

In exercise of its regulatory powers, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has sacked the Board and Management of African Alliance Insurance Plc, one of Nigeria’s oldest life assurance companies.

NAICOM Management said in a statement yesterday that its decision followed years of insolvency and failure of the insurance firm to meet the obligations of annuitants and policyholders.

According to the statement, “The commission, as the primary regulator of the Insurance Sector, announced that it has taken over the Board and Management of African Alliance Insurance Plc, effective today, 30th October 2024.

“This decision follows an extensive monitoring and review of the company’s financial condition, governance, and operational practices, which revealed significant concerns regarding its ability to continue operating in a safe and sound manner which has for some time now generated a lot of uncertainty over claims settlement and payment to annuitants under the company.

The commission appointed an Interim Management Board to manage the affairs of African Alliance Insurance Plc. Members of the new Board include: Dr. Haruna Mustapha – Chairman, Jacob Erhabor – MD/CEO, Wasiu Amao – Executive Director Technical, Ms. Oremeyi Longe – Executive Director Finance, Anthony Achebe – Non-Executive and Haj. Halimatu Khabeeb – Non-Executive Director.

“The Interim Management Board will oversee the company’s operations, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, and implement necessary reforms,” the statement added.

It explained that commission will work closely with all stakeholders, including annuitants, policyholders, employees, and investors, to minimize disruption and ensure continuity.

“The objective of this takeover is to protect the interests of African Alliance Insurance Plc’s annuitants, policyholders, other stakeholders, and the broader insurance industry, while ensuring the company’s return to stability and compliance.

“The Commission is committed to maintaining the stability and integrity of Nigerian insurance industry. Our actions today demonstrate our resolve to address concerns and protect the annuitants, policyholders and public interest,” it noted.

From Dan Amasingha, Minna

Niger State House of Assembly has raised the alarm alerting the federal authorities to the seizure of a military training camp located in the state.

The training camp situated at the Nagwamase military cantonment in the Kontagora Local Government Area is reputed to be one of the biggest military training camps in the country.

The matter was raised by the member representing Kontagora 2 Constituency, Abdullahi Isah, during plenary yesterday.

Coming through a motion of urgent public importance, Isah noted that the military facility is built on a large expanse of land, stretching from Nagwamase in Kontagora Local Government Area, to parts of neighbouring Mariga Local Government Area.

The facility used to serve as a training camp for personnel of the Artillery Corps of the Nigerian Army before it was taken over by the bandits.

The lawmaker said people in 23 farming communities in the two local government areas have fled their ancestral homes while the bandits conduct their nefarious activities in the area unchallenged.

Describing the entire area as the hub of banditry, he lamented how the bandits have been terrorising unsuspecting travelers and farmers harvesting their farm produce.

According to the mover of the motion, the bandits have divided the occupied area into eight separate operational cells where they encamp and where they keep abductees after launching attacks.

Isah said, “This military camp is now known to have been taken over by bandits who are said to have established at least eight different camps in the area.

“The presence of the bandits on this training camp, which now serves as their safe haven has posed serious security challenges to communities within the camp both in Kontagora and Mariga Local Government Areas.”

According to him, communities in the area had come under intense attacks from the bandits in the last one month, adding that some members of the communities abducted in recent invasions were still being held by the bandits.

After exhaustive debate on the matter, the assembly urged the state government to as a matter of urgency, liaise with the military authorities to intensify efforts towards flushing out the bandits and allowing the host communities return to their homes.

The lawmakers urged the government to give the military the necessary support towards securing the training camp and restoring peace to the area.

Efforts by our correspondent to hear from the Army spokesman, Maj. General Edwin Buba were unsuccessful. 

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

Director General of that Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) Ayodeji Gbeleyi, has said the agency is committed to delivering on its mandate, and to uphold its core values of integrity, transparency, accountability and professionalism.

According to him, this has become necessary in order to meet and exceed expectations and fully align with the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that “our achievements must indeed go Above and Beyond the common level of service.

The Director General made this commitment in his opening remarks during the BPE SERVICOM Day Symposium held at its head office in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said, ” the Bureau is committed to delivering on its mandate, and we pledge to uphold our core values (Integrity-Transparency, Professionalism, Accountability, Result-Orientation and Teamwork (I-PART)), which are aligned with the goals of SERVICOM.

“As the Director-General of the BPE, I am committed to upholding the mandate of SERVICOM, ensuring that we continue to deliver quality service to both internal and external customers of the Bureau for better results and greater impact’.

Speaking on the Symposium titled “Impact of Attitudinal and Behavioural Ethics in the Workplace”, the Director General noted that “in today’s dynamic business environment, attitudinal and behavioural ethics in the workplace play a pivotal role in shaping organizational culture, driving employee engagement, and fostering trust among stakeholders. These ethics help to create a positive and productive work environment”.

He said, “If we are to achieve success in our various endeavours and contribute meaningfully to national growth and development, there is no better time to discuss a topic of this nature than today.

“The impact of these ethics can be far-reaching, influencing employee behaviour, organisational culture and overall service excellence.”

Gbeleyi said the official theme for the 2024 SERVICOM Customer Service Week, Above and Beyond highlights the importance of frontline service providers, emphasizes team spirit within the workforce, and underscores its positive impact on the Bureau, adding that “more importantly it raises awareness of the value of excellent customer service in our operations”.

He commended the SERVICOM Unit of Bureau for driving its Service Delivery Initiatives as reflected in its various activities, including: Periodic use of surveys to assess customer satisfaction with services rendered by the Bureau; Regular scrutiny and review of our internal processes to identify areas for improvement; and Consistent implementation of our Service Charter.

In her remarks, the National Coordinator of SERVICOM, Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli highlighted the importance of the initiative in a working environment adding that in SERVICOM “we rate services on five key parameters – Service delivery, Timeliness, Information dissemination, Professionalism and Staff Attitude.

“Staff attitude plays a crucial role in shaping the workplace environment and overall organizational success. Do stakeholders receive equal treatment or are there preferred stakeholders?

“A positive attitude among employees fosters collaboration, enhances communication, and promotes a culture of respect and support for staff, and stakeholders,” she noted.

Highlight of the symposium was a presentation on the Impact of Attitudinal and Behavioural Ethics on the Work Place by Dr Emeka Okengwu, a renowned development and management expert.