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China Blocked WHO From Issuing Alert On COVID-19, Says CIA

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The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) says China blocked the World Health Organisation (WHO) from sounding the alarm on COVID-19 in January.

According to Newsweek, the intelligence agency said China was stockpiling medical supplies from around the world at the time.

So far, the globe has recorded 4,527,823 cases of COVID-19. While 1,706,406 people have recovered from the disease, 303,438 have died.

US, Spain and Russia have recorded the most deaths so far, according to Worldometer.

The news website said according to CIA documents, the Asian country threatened the world health body that it would stop cooperating with its investigations into the disease if it declared an emergency.

Quoting Der Spiegel, a German publication, the news outlet said China was first indicted for alleged cover up by German intelligence last week.

German intelligence accused China President Xi Jinping of “personally applying” pressure on Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general on January 21.

Christian Lindmeier, WHO spokesperson, said the Chinese president and Ghebreyesus did not communicate on January 21 or 22.

“Dr Tedros did not communicate with President Xi on Jan 20, 21 or 22. Dr Tedros and his senior team met with President Xi in Beijing on Jan. 28,” Lindmeier said.

“The issue of PHEIC did not come up in that meeting.”

US President Donald Trump has since cut funding to WHO, blaming the health agency for the global spread of the disease.

“The WHO failed in this basic duty and must be held accountable,” he had said.

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Gambian Delegation Visits NAICOM To Understudy Regulatory Approach

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L-R Nyang Madeleine Gomez, Compliance Officer, Central Bank of Gambia, Dr. Usman Jankara, NAICOM Deputy Commissioner, Technical, Drammeh Alieu, Senior Insurance Compliance Officer, Central Bank of Gambia and Mr. Ekerete Ola Gam-Ikon, NAICOM Deputy Commissioner, Finance and Administration, when the Gambian delegation visited NAICOM in Abuja on Monday.

By Sola Alabadan

A delegation from the Central Bank of The Gambia, led by Mr. Nyang Medeleine Gomez, paid a working visit to the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) on Monday in Abuja, with the aim of fostering regulatory collaboration and exchanging knowledge in key areas of insurance supervision.

The primary focus of the visit was to study Nigeria’s regulatory approach in three critical areas:

*Risk-Based Supervision
*Prudential Frameworks
*Inclusive Insurance

The delegation was received by the Deputy Commissioner for Technical, Dr. Usman Jankara, and the Deputy Commissioner, Finance and Administration, on behalf of the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Olusegun Omosehin,
Mr. Ekerete Ola Gam-Ikon expressed NAICOM’s readiness for collaboration and mutual learning.
He described the engagement as a “knowledge-sharing visit,” noting that “no one regulator has all the answers,” and emphasized the importance of peer-to-peer learning in enhancing regulatory capacity across Africa.

In his remarks, Mr. Gomez explained that the visit was intended to:

* Understanding NAICOM’s implementation of a risk-based supervisory system to ensure a stable and resilient insurance sector

* Exploring strategies for expanding insurance access to underserved and low-income populations through inclusive insurance frameworks; and

* Learn best practices in prudential regulation to safeguard policyholders’ interests and uphold public confidence in the insurance market.

In his response, Dr. Jankara reaffirmed NAICOM’s commitment to supporting the Gambian delegation across all areas of interest.
He emphasised that Nigeria’s regulatory framework has evolved significantly, especially in corporate governance, where the Commission has moved from basic compliance to robust enforcement mechanisms.
He further noted that the newly passed Insurance Regulatory Bill, once it receives presidential assent, will contribute meaningfully to the current administration’s goal of achieving a one-trillion-dollar economy.

Dr. Jankara also highlighted NAICOM’s progress in promoting financial inclusion, citing the successful licensing of 15 microinsurance companies and 6 Takaful insurance providers, milestones that reflect growing insurance penetration. He assured the visiting delegation that NAICOM would share its operational templates and regulatory manuals through the appropriate directorates, while continuing engagement with key departments, including Inspectorate, Supervision, and Innovation & Regulation.

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IMT 2025 Edition Names Former McKinsey Partner As Speaker

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By Sola Alabadan

The fourth edition of Insurance Meets Tech (IMT), a conference focusing on the convergence of insurance and technology, is scheduled to hold on September 11 in Lagos.
With the theme, “Innovating for the New Trybe,” IMT 4.0 will convene stakeholders across the financial, tech, and creative ecosystems, redefining how insurance meets digital innovation, lifestyle, and Africa’s future economy. This year’s edition will once again deliver a powerful dual-experience format:
IMT 4.0, the flagship C-suite and policy-focused discourse
IMT Redefined 2.0, the youth-forward segment exploring the convergence of insurance, culture, and innovation.
The 2025 headline speaker is Per Lagerström, a global thought leader, an insurtech innovator, financial expert, and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience across financial services, technology, FMCG, and strategy consulting. A former Partner at McKinsey & Company, he founded BehaviorTech, a groundbreaking field that merges behavioural science, AI, and innovation to deliver transformative outcomes for people, businesses, and society.
As CEO of Yellowspot, an Ireland-based venture studio, he leads the development of disruptive ventures focused on financial planning, education, longevity, and human-centred digital transformation. Known for navigating complexity with clarity, Per has advised boards and executives across Europe, Africa, and the Americas. His work is driven by an unrelenting passion for unlocking potential at the intersection of science, technology, and human insight.
Odion Aleobua, Convener of IMT and CEO of Modion Communications, expressed his delight ahead of the event. “We are incredibly honoured to welcome Per Lagerström to Lagos, Nigeria for IMT 4.0. His experience at the cutting edge of behaviour-tech research, an astute financial guru and huge insight into insurtech innovation align with the conversations we drive at this year’s conference. IMT is about the future of protection for a new generation, and we are convening voices and celebrating ideas that matter.”
IMT 4.0 will also continue to explore the role of predictive technology, embedded insurance, disruptive underwriting, and inclusive innovation. With engaging panels, immersive workshops, product demos, and youth-led showcases, the event promises actionable insights and bold ideas for building relevance in a shifting risk landscape.
Commenting, Per Lagerström stated, “Financial services are undergoing rapid and fundamental change, driven by AI inflection and BehaviorTech advances, blurring industry boundaries and shifting consumer behaviours. The result places incumbent business models under tremendous pressure and create unrivaled opportunities for growth and value creation. I am excited to join the year’s edition of IMT to unpack the forces at work and share my playbook for navigating these extraordinary times.”
IMT 4.0 proudly announces an early strategic partner powering this year’s event. CubeCover, one of Nigeria’s leading insurtech and microinsurance providers, comes aboard as a proud Gold Sponsor, racing ahead as early co-travelers for this year’s edition.
To register for IMT 2025, visit www.insurancemeetstech.com. For inquiries, contact Odion at +234 902 222 2226.
About Insurance Meets Tech (IMT)
The Insurance Meets Tech (IMT) Conference is one of West Africa’s leading platforms for exploring the future of insurance through the lens of technology, innovation, and culture.
In its fourth year, IMT offers a robust, multi-stakeholder, two-pronged experience featuring IMT 4.0, focused on C-suite insights, and IMT Redefined, a dynamic youth engagement segment inspired by innovation, lifestyle and creativity. IMT is curated by Modion Communications, one of Africa’s most celebrated young Public Relations consultancies.

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SanlamAllianz Organises Roadshow To Deepen Insurance Awareness

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By Sola Alabadan

SanlamAllianz, formed from the merger of Allianz and Sanlam, will begin 12-city nationwide roadshow on June 23, following the brand’s recent official introduction to the Nigerian market.
The campaign, which will take place in Lagos, Ibadan, Akure, Warri, Port Harcourt, Uyo, Onitsha, Enugu, Owerri, Kano, Jos, and Abuja, is part of the company’s strategic effort to deepen customer engagement, and raise awareness about the brand and insurance.
It is also intended to demonstrate the company’s commitment to making wealth creation and financial protection capabilities more accessible to individuals and businesses in the country.
Speaking on this initiative, Tunde Mimiko, MD/CEO of SanlamAllianz Life Insurance, said: “This nationwide campaign signals the scale of our ambition and the depth of our commitment to the Nigerian market. At the heart of insurance is trust, and trust begins with presence. Reaching customers where they are is fundamental to how we are building SanlamAllianz.
“This roadshow is a strategic move to bridge the gap between perception and reality, allowing us to engage directly with our customers and Nigerians in general, challenge long-held misconceptions, and position insurance as a practical tool for thriving in financial confidence, building resilience and long-term financial security.”
As part of the roadshow, SanlamAllianz will hold customer engagement forums in each of the 12 cities. The in-person sessions allow customers to interact directly with the company’s leadership and frontline teams. The forums aim to reconnect with customers under the unified brand and reaffirm its long-term commitment to the local market.
“Insurance only becomes relevant when it is understood, trusted, and connected to the realities people face,” said Yomi Onifade, MD/CEO of SanlamAllianz General Insurance.
“These forums are our way of reintroducing SanlamAllianz not just as a merged entity, but as a unified brand committed to showing up for Nigerians. We are creating a platform for real conversations — to listen, address concerns, and deepen understanding. This is how SanlamAllianz intends to lead, by listening actively, showing up with solutions, and shaping a future where insurance is truly embedded in the fabric of everyday Nigerian life,” he added.
By adopting a city-by-city physical rollout, SanlamAllianz Nigeria is positioning itself as one of the few players actively investing in deeper grassroots engagement toward deepening insurance penetration in Nigeria.

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