By Amaka Obiefuna

In a bid to further deepen insurance, boost its acceptance and celebrate excellence, Almond Productions is set again to recognise and reward insurance industry giants with different categories of awards as it opens portal for nominations.

Aimed at rewarding the “Can Do Spirit” of the men and women in the various arms of the Nigerian Insurance Industry who daily push boundaries to sell Insurance despite the low acceptability and low purchasing power of many Nigerians, the 2024 Annual Almond Insurance Industry Awards would for the first time recognize ‘Insurance Woman of the Year.’

Tagged #Reinvent Edition will again bring together policy makers, insurance practitioners, top rated entertainers in music and comedy, paraMilitary and the insuring public in an atmosphere of fun and relaxation.

Slated for Friday November 1st 2024 at the Queens Park Event Centre, Lagos,

the 2024 Awards categories was streamlined and would be managed by scholarly and sapient judges to meet with International Standards.

At a press brief  yesterday in Lagos, the chairman of the award panel, Ms. Prisca Soares unveiled the shortlisted categories viz: Insurance CEO of the year; Insurance Woman of the year (Insurer or Broker); Life Insurance Company of the year; General Insurance Company of the year; Insurance Broker of the year; Insurance Broking Company of the year.

Others are: Takaful Company of the year; Micro Insurance Company of the year; Most valuable Insurance Customer of the year (Non-voting categories); Insurance Life Achievers Award (winner could be an Insurer or Broker); and Special Recognition Award 2024 (winner could be within and outside the industry).

“These shortlisted categories were painstakingly chosen to reflect the current composition of the Nigerian Insurance Industry. To ensure the integrity and transparency of the awards, the entire process as always, from nominations, voting, selection is driven by Data and Technology. It’s a web based process. People can only nominate and vote for their choice via the website: https://almondinsuranceindustryawards.com. The website is foolproof, so it is only those who deserve to win that will emerge at the end of the entire process” Soares maintained.

Soares who is the Immediate Past Secretary General of the African Insurance Organization (AIO), affirmed that, in other to sustain the integrity of the Awards, new members were added as members of panel of Judges. They are Hon. Justice Olufunmilayo O. Atilade, the Fifteenth (15th) Chief Judge of Lagos State; and herself.

More so, Dr. Jide Fadun, a Risk Management and Insurance Specialist; Mr. Obinna Chilekezie Insurance Expert/Researcher; Mr. Obashola Alo, Group Head, Financial Risk/Insurance at Dangote Group; and Mr Rasaak Salami, Assistant Director/Head Corporate Affairs, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), are members of the Panel.

“Voting in the various categories will commence at the end of nominations which ends 21st June. Members of the public are encouraged to visit the awards website to nominate and vote for their choice.

“People are often quick to condemn Insurance companies even when their claims are settled. Other players in the financial services sector or even Telecoms sometimes get away with “Blue Murder” but not Insurance. So for anyone who has benefited from the workings of Insurance either as individual or corporate clients, this is the time to encourage that Insurance or Broking company by nominating and voting when the time comes.

“Insurers and Brokers are also encouraged to nominate their loyal customers for the Most Valuable Insurance Customer Award this year. Clients also needs encouragement to do more, because it’s a win win situation”

The #Reinvent edition according to the Chief Executive Officer of Almond Productions Limited, Ms. Faith Ughwode speaks to the innovation in the entire process of the Awards this year to put the Nigerian Insurance Industry on a new Pedestal come November 1st 2024.