ARIAN to boost members well-being, commissions new secretariat

The Association of Registered Insurance Agents of Nigeria (ARIAN), has committed to meet the general need of its members, as the association secured commissioned its new befitting secretariat on Ikorodu Road, Lagos.

The President of ARIAN, Olamerun Gbadebo, at media parley to commission the secretariat, noted that the new office will be used to train stakeholders, and equip members with trends in insurance practice.

According to him, the Association has embarked on a campaign encouraging agents to acquire insurance professional certificates in order to build capacity, adding that training would be organised for unit and agency managers in the Secretariatís training room.He said the Association will soon organise training for potential retirees on the differences between annuity and programmed withdrawal.

He maintained that the Association will on the 28th, hold insurance walk in Abuja; Lagos; Ibadan, and Owerri, adding that the walk is aimed at sensitising the public on the need to have fire and burglary insurances, and use them to secure their properties against losses.

Gbadebo said the walk is organised in conjunction with Federal Fire Service (FFC); Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), and Nigerian Police Force (NPF), and also appreciated underwriters for supporting the walk.On the planned housing estate, he said ARIAN hopes to help agents secure their homes before retirement, stressing that 60 acres of land has been secured in Ibeju Lekki, and 30 acres in Ikorodu, Lagos.

He stressed that the housing project is in partnership with two real estate firms, adding that the project will be spread across the federation in the future. Gbadebo said the Association will also partner with the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), and Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), in making payment for the land easy for members.

He stressed that ARIAN will solicit understanding and support from underwriters to ensure that deductions are made from the salaries of interested members over time, to enable them off-set the cost of their plots.He also used the occasion to appreciate the Commissioner for Insurance, Mohammed Kari, for integrating agents into Insurance Committee, adding that their involvement would help deepen the envisage insurance penetration.

According to Him, the Association has also launched a cooperative society to cater for the financial and commodities needs of members.The National Secretary of ARIAN, Olusegun Padoye, said the body is positioned to provide better lifestyle for members, adding that all the initiatives are geared toward providing better livelihood for the present and the future.

Chairman of the housing committee, Bright Chimezie, noted that the Association is highly committed to the project, to ensure that all members got befitting homes when they retired.