Experts have charged insurance professionals on building trust and adherence to insurance business ethics to excel in the industry.
The experts, who spoke at the 6th Diploma in Insurance Graduation Ceremony, held at the College of Insurance and Financial Management(CIFM) Campus, in Asese, Ogun State, deliberated on the theme:’Building Relevance and Trust Through Ethical and Professional Practice.’
On his part, the president, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Edwin Igbiti, while addressing the graduands, noted that, the graduation marks the culmination of a worthy and life- changing goal, saying, strategising and taking the significant leap in the insurance industry pathway, would definitely open them up to opportunities that will continue to serve as a stepping stone to greater success.
According to him, “Before commencing this programme, some of you didn’t know yourself, however currently, you have established networking relationships with colleagues, faculty and beyond. Now I have some questions for you: will you stop at this level of your career ? will you further with this Diploma? Will you use the great knowledge to make the world a better place?
“Most especially in your environment, has insurance still has a wide gap to cover in our local community. Will you use this to earn a job, build wealth and invest in people’s lives? Mother Theresa once said: ‘I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.’
The executive director, Technical, Heirs General Insurance Limited, Dr. Jeff Duru, who was the guest speaker, stated that, attitude encouraged individuals, especially, the graduands to exhibit good attitude and used the knowledge acquired from the programme to advance insurance practice.
A person with positive attitude, he said, is caring, confident, patient,
humble, cheerful, fun loving, positive, hardworking, dedicated, committed and has high expectations about himself and others. “Our lives are not determined by what life brings to us, but the altitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of position thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results,” he pointed out.
Maintaining that wisdom, knowledge, skills and qualification also can
determine their attitudes, he stressed that, they need to consciously choose to acquire the right attitudes.
He commended the management of the College for sustaining the legacies laid by the founding fathers and the student for the resilience in pursuing and attaining their aspirations.
On his part, the special guest of hour, who is the immediate past managing director/CEO of SCIB Nigeria, Mr. Shola Tinubu, said, resilience and dedication throughout their academic journey are commendable, as they rightfully reap the fruits of their labour.
Education and knowledge, he said, are foundational drivers for the growth and development of any industry, particularly the intricately linked insurance sector.
To him, “As you transition to the next phase of your lives armed with the knowledge and skills acquired here, I encourage you to continue striving for excellence and making positive contributions in your respective fields. I challenge you to be curious about the challenges and opportunities within the insurance sector and also to explore them enthusiastically.”
He disclosed that the College of Insurance and Financial Management plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the nation’s financial sector by producing competent and skilled professionals, while commending the faculty, staff, and management for their relentless efforts in providing quality education and fostering a conducive learning environment.
Tinubu noted that, a well-educated and skilled workforce is the backbone of any thriving nation, and institutions like CIFM play a pivotal role in shaping the future leaders and professionals of our country.
The rector of the College, Dr. Chizoba Ehiogu, at the event, said the 6th graduation ceremony was held to launch another set of professionals into the insurance industry, noting that, CIFM plays a crucial role in shaping the future of insurance education by producing competent and skilled professionals.
Hence, she said, the graduation ceremony was in the tradition of other institution in different part of the world to marks the important event in which those who have received instructions from the senior scholars and passed prescribed examinations are judged worthy in learning and character to receive their degrees and diplomas.
“I congratulate all of you, our young graduands of today, on having successfully completed your programmes of studies and on having been judged worthy of receiving our degrees. You should bear it in mind that your parents, your employer and so on have both combined to invest a lot on you.
“We expect a value from you. You can therefore not afford to fail. It is “no” to corruption, vices, nepotism, internet fraud, and bribery, to mention but a few. It is “yes” to handwork, selfless service, honesty, integrity and charity,” she pointed out.
