Synergy with media deepens insurance awareness - NAICOM

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has said that the media serves as a tool and a partner in fostering growth of the insurance sector. Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel, at the 8th seminar for Insurance Correspondents in Ilorin, Kwara State said the seminar, which began in 2009, has deepened the synergy between the sector and the media in the last eight years.

He said that the seminar helped a great deal to foster stronger relationship with the media who help educate the public on the importance of insurance. "This forum has afforded us the opportunity to reassess ourselves and relationship with each other and in the process, explore new ways of forging stronger bonds of cooperation between members of the press and the commission."

"Over the years, the Commission has had a sustained mutually beneficial relationship with the media. For instance, we have not had serious reasons to disagree with reports about the Commission in the media. The Commission shall continue to acknowledge and appreciate you in this regard," he said.

The Insurance Commissioner also added that it has organised over 200 workshops and training programmes for insurance practitioners and journalists to expand their knowledge about the sector. According to him, "The objectives of the training include engendering better working relationship with media practitioners and public awareness; to address media on latest policies and developments and curb bad press among others," he said.

On his part, Director General of the Nigerian Insurers Association, NIA, Mr Sunday Thomas acknowledged the support of the media though shared some observations which he hoped would change with time.

Thomas said, "Effective dissemination by the media of regulatory policies has ease understanding and compliance by stakeholders; the media always act in defense of the policyholders to preserve their rights; agenda setting by the media has always put the regulator and the operators on their toes; cooperation with the media, creative thinking has increased in the insurance sector."

Thomas noted that the media always remind the industry of promises made, agenda set and polices introduced that have not been reneged, followed or implemented. He admitted that the efforts of the media has assisted in stabilising the insurance industry.