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Obiekwu Counsels Footballers, Sportsmen To Plan For Retirement

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By Sola Alabadan

Ex-Nigerian International, Kingsley Obiekwu, has advised active sportsmen and women to save and invest their earnings to avoid running into hitches when they retire.

Obiekwu said recently that he went into the commercial transport business to complement his earnings from his coaching job.

He said “As an ex-player, I want to advise the younger ones that if money comes there to save and invest because football and sports is something that you do within a period in life. If you retire, you begin to struggle if you don’t save enough.

“In my case, I did not waste my money, at least I have a house. Imagine the landlord throwing your property out because you can’t pay rent, it would have been worse.

“Our club managers and administrators should also complement the effort of state governments by making sure they pay players and coaches.

“I have players in my former clubs whose marriages have crashed because they can’t provide for their families, you can’t develop football without developing those making it happen,” he stated.

The story elicited reactions from the public including Super Eagles Skipper, Ahmed Musa, who made a cash donation of N2 million to the Atlantic ’96 Dream Team defender to cushion his financial crunch.

Obiekwu said though the story came as an embarrassment to some of his family members, there was nothing to regret for telling the world what he was passing through.

He said that when he wanted to go into the transport business years ago, his wife discouraged him on the grounds that it would be debasing for a man of his class in fame and fortune.

“I want to thank God for everything. Some members of my family have been calling me to express embarrassment over the story but I told them not to worry because I played the game and I know what I feel.

“The story is making an impact with a lot of reactions. Being a popular person, I cannot hide; Nigerians will be interested to know how their ex-heroes are faring, but I have told my family not to worry, that I will handle it.

“So yesterday, the Media Officer of the Super Eagles who works in a radio station called me to inform me that somebody wanted to speak with me and I said he should give him my number.

“Musa called me and said he had heard my story and that he and his teammates will do something but meanwhile, I should give him my account number and in about an hour’s time, I got an alert of N2 million, I appreciate that a lot,” he said.

Obiekwu, who said he was forced to retire at 30 in 2004 due to health reasons, said a number of ex-internationals were passing through hard times and while urging them not to be ashamed to speak out instead of dying in silence.

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Business

Leadway Pensure Grows Revenue By 25%

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Leadway Pensure, a licensed pension fund administrator in Nigeria, recorded a 25% annual fund growth in 2023, thereby exceeding its financial targets set for the year. 
  
Speaking on Leadway Pensure’s season of revenue and investment growth, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lanre Idris, stated that this outstanding achievement further solidifies the company’s position as a value-driven, growth-oriented organisation with a unique drive thereby positioning PFA as a trusted and capable financial management partner in the pension industry. 
  
“In a landscape defined by economic uncertainties, Leadway Pensure has not only weathered the storm but has soared beyond expectations, achieving an exceptional 25% growth in fund under management, surpassing our ambitious targets for 2023. The drivers to achieving this remarkable financial milestone includes the team’s assertive revenue drive, deploying astute strategic investment steps, embracing digital innovations and adopting a customer-centric approach as the cornerstone of our operations. By prioritising the evolving needs of our clients and leveraging cutting-edge technologies, we have not only adapted to the challenges of the times but have thrived amidst them. 
  
“This achievement underscores the dedication and resilience of our team, whose collective efforts have propelled us to new heights. As we celebrate this milestone, we remain steadfast in our mission to provide unparalleled service and value to our esteemed clients. With our sights set on the future, we are poised to continue our growth trajectory, setting new benchmarks of excellence in the industry.” 

This remarkable achievement comes on the heels of treble awards for the brand as West Africa’s Pension & Lifestyle Company of the Year, Best Customer Care awards, and its Chief Executive Officer, Lanre Idris, named Best Pension and Finance CEO of the Year, all in 2023. 
 
 
As an integral part of the Leadway Group, Leadway Pensure PFA has consistently provided exceptional pension administration and fund management services to individuals, corporate organisations, federal and state institutions.
  

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Business

Pension Operators Organise Webinar On Managing Diabetes

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The Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp) organised a medical webinar recently, to enlighten the populace that managing our health and well-being has become increasingly crucial, particularly as new ailments and diseases emerge.
The medical webinar titled “Managing Diabetes in Everyday Life,” emphasised the significance of healthy living and health management.
The webinar provided pension industry professionals with comprehensive insights into diabetes, including its types, identification, causes, and management strategies.
Adaobi Okoye, PenOp’s Head of Human Resources, opened the session by underscoring the necessity of health management for optimal functioning both at work and in daily life. Oguche Agudah, CEO of PenOp, further emphasized the importance of regular exercise and encouraged attendees to maximize the webinar’s opportunities. The online session garnered participation from over 200 pension industry professionals.
Facilitated by Dr. Akinkunmi Ilori, Group Head of Medical Operations at Bastion HMO and a renowned medical doctor and public health specialist, the webinar delved into the signs, symptoms, screening methods, treatment options, and prevention strategies for diabetes.
Dr. Akinkunmi explained that diabetes encompasses a group of diseases affecting how the body’s tissues utilize glucose, resulting in high blood sugar levels due to insufficient insulin production or ineffective insulin response. He discussed various types of diabetes, including Type 1, Type 2, Gestational, and Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY), along with their causes and management approaches such as oral medications, insulin injections, and lifestyle modifications.
Addressing risk factors such as age, ethnicity, family history, and obesity, Dr. Akinkunmi stressed the importance of dietary habits and regular physical activity in diabetes management. He also highlighted optimal blood sugar levels for diabetic individuals.
The webinar concluded with attendees gaining practical knowledge on diabetes screening, treatment options, and effective management and prevention strategies, empowering them to take proactive steps towards better health and well-being.

The webinar was part of PenOp’s ongoing monthly knowledge-sharing sessions. These sessions provide a platform for professionals in the pension industry to network, exchange ideas, and listen to subject matter experts discuss relevant topics.

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Business

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By Sola Alabadan

Zenith General Insurance Limited paid about N5 billion claims to its policyholders in 2023 in line with the company’s policy to ensure that its customers don’t suffer unnecessarily,the

The company’s Managing Director, Mr. Jude Modilim,disclosed this when the executive members of NAIPE visited the management of Zenith General Insurance in Lagos recently.

He affirmed that Zenith General would partnering with the Nigerian of Insurance and Pension Editors (NAIPE) to move the Nigerian insurance industry to the next levels.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the executive members of NAIPE to the , affirmed his company’s readiness to work with NAIPE to drive insurance growth in Nigeria.

The MD also commended NAIPE for introducing initiatives and embarking on programmes that are industry’s growth driven, noting that this will go a long way in changing the industry’s narrative.

“We are open for the partnership; the kind of partnership that is a win-win; partnership that will project Zenith General to the public, telling them what we are doing, especially about our ability to pay claims. We are willing to work with you as long as it is a mutually beneficial partnership.

“I am actually very impressed with some of your programmes designed to create insurance awareness such as Claims Profiling, and Testimonials Reporting. These are very good, and it will go a long way in deepening insurance penetration which the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and the entire industry is yearning for.

“As an industry, we all pay claims. Last year Zenith General paid about N5 billion as claims to so many organisations thereby helping them to return to business. These are organisations that ordinarily would have failed because of one catastrophe or the other.

“Many times when I engaged those who said insurance companies are not paying claims to come forward with any claim they have that has not been paid, none of them have been able to do that, so the public needs to know that insurance companies are paying claims. What you guys are doing will make people know that insurance works,” Modilim said.

While speaking earlier, the Chairperson, NAIPE, who is also the publisher of BusinessTodayNG, Mrs. Nkechi Naeche-Esezobor, highlighted the rationale behind the establishment of NAIPE and what the Association has done over the years to contribute to the growth of insurance industry.

According to her, NAIPE has been in existence for over 30 years working with 31 members who are insurance and pension editors in the major national newspapers, radio stations, television stations and online platforms to create awareness on the benefits of insurance.

“We are concerned about low insurance penetration in Nigeria and the poor perception of Nigerians about insurance and it is a known fact that NAIPE has been working tirelessly over the years to change this negative narrative.”

She listed some of the products the Association is offering as part of its efforts to deepen insurance growth in Nigeria to include Products Profiling; Management Profiling; Claims Profiling; Quarterly CEO Forum and Sponsorship of NAIPE AGM.

She called on insurance companies to take advantage of the various products and initiatives put in place by NAIPE to enhance their performance.

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