By Amaka Obiefuna

President and Chairman of Governing Council of the Institute of  Loss Adjusters of Nigeria (ILAN), Alhaji Shamsideen Femi Hassan says the body intends to establish an e-library as one of the developmental projects of the Institute.

Speaking during the recent Investiture of the 12^th President of the institute, Hassan said the project sponsorship by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) was being discussed but had not been finalized with the former Commissioner for Insurance before the end of his tenure.

“It is hoped that the incoming Council will eventually bring the project to realization,” he said. 

“I am pleased to report to this august gathering, that together with other members of the Governing Council, we have significantly expanded ILAN’s corporate relationship beyond its traditional frontiers and laid the foundation for potential benefits to our members in the nearest future,” he added.

Hassan said ILAN had signed an MOU with the Centre For Petroleum, Energy Economics & Law (CPEEL) of University of Ibadan in respect of courses that will enhance the knowledge of its members in the high-tech area of Oil and Gas claims and survey, adding that “recently, NAICOM eventually acceded to our yearning to increase the tenure of operating licences issued to loss adjusters to two years. This is seen as a positive development that should stabilize the loss adjusting sector of the insurance industry.”

He said “on June 26^th 2018, the President and council members paid a courtesy visit to NCRIB.  At the meeting, ILAN President sought assistance of members of the NCRIB in reducing the long list of coinsurers on some accounts, with some insurance companies holding as low as 0.5% share, considering attendant difficulty being experienced in recovering loss adjusters’ fees and expenses incurred in course of the claim evaluation process; either because of the resultant small amount involved or the long list of coinsurers with majority of them in doubtful financial positions which has culminated in huge unpaid debts over the years. In response, the then President of NCRIB, Mr. Sola Tinubu promised to convey our prayers to the larger body of insurance brokers with request for their cooperation in reducing the challenges so posed to the fortune of loss adjusters.” 

“The President and some members of ILAN Governing Council also met with members of the NIA Governing Council led by their Chairman, Mr. Tope Smart on 28^th March, 2019. Matters of mutual interests were discussed and it afforded both parties the opportunity to highlight areas of dissatisfaction, with pledges to address observed shortcomings.

The immediate fallout of the meeting was an invitation to ILAN to be part of the organizing committee for Year 2020 African Insurance Organizations Conference (AIO) which was to hold in Nigeria but now postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

“On 19^th March, 2019 the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) hosted ILAN President and some members of Council. The visit afforded an opportunity to increase ILAN’s visibility and facilitate positive interaction with representatives of the manufacturing sector who more often than not, are recipients of our services. The management of MAN appreciated the visit and were glad to have ILAN provide them with improved knowledge of the role and derivable benefits of loss adjusters’ involvement in claims adjudication. The management of MAN requested for an opportunity to pay a return visit to ILAN. We are yet to facilitate the request and hope this will be achieved in due course,” said Hassan.