…Implores FG To Declare State Of Emergency On Terrorism, Insecurity
By LOVETH AZODO, Lagos
In a bid to boost the nation’s economy, The Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), has called on the federal Government to help the industry by taking more strategic position in enforcement of Compulsory Insurance Policies.
This is just as the council laments on the series of killings, kidnapping and other forms of violent attacks in the country, stating that the development is not only tarnishing the country’s image but also scaring investors away from the country.
The President of the Council, Dr. Bola Onigbogi, speaking to newsmen in Lagos lauded the affort of National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) for coming up with strategies to deepen insurance penetration.
However, She opined that a nation cannot develop beyond its insurance sector adding that the poor state of the nation’s economy today cannot be divulged from the poor state of insurance industry.
“Most companies that ought to have contributed immensely to the development of the nation are no more in existence, because they could not get succor when the ship was down.”
“Without doubt, one would have expected an industry, which is two years older than Nigeria to have recorded tremendous feats in its contribution to the nation’s economy. Sadly, reverse has been the case and this is hinged on the numerous challenges such as low penetration, among others confronting the sector.”
On the series of killings and insecurity ravaging the image of the nation, Onigbogi noted that if nothing is done as soon as possible to address this menace, it will deter foreign investors from investing in the Nigerian economy.
She said: “to say that the rate of killings and kidnapping in Nigeria is endemic is to state the obvious. The recent rate of attacks on people in most part of the nation is so disheartening.
“It is worrisome seeing how Nigerians are being massacred in their own fatherland unabated. It is difficult to read the mindset of these dare devil hoodlums, who have decided to unleash terror on unsuspecting and innocent Nigerians.
“Our heartfelt sympathy goes to the government and the people of affected States, especially, the immediate families of the victims. However, I like to join several other Nigerians to appeal to the Federal Government, as a matter of urgency, declare a state of emergency on terrorism and killings, especially in the Northern part of Nigeria.
“We appeal to Mr. President to instruct all the service chiefs to take responsibilities for the killings and kidnappings that has continued to tarnish the image of the country. It is important to note that with the spate of killings and kidnapping in Nigeria, if nothing is done as soon as possible, it will deter investors from investing in Nigeria economy”.
Onigbogi, who also spoke on building collapses in the country, called on the government to take decisive measures to address this issues.
“It is essential for government to facilitate meetings of all stakeholders in order to reach a compromise on methods to adopt in stemming the tide. Kindly permit me to state at this juncture that the enforcement of Section 64 and Section 65 of Insurance Act 2003 should be prioritized”, she expressed.
