By Sola Alabadan

The chairman of FBS Reinsurance Limited, Mr. Bala Zakariyau has advised journalists to continue upholding the ethics of journalism profession, bearing in mind that journalism can make or mar a man.

Zakariyau, who spoke when representatives of the National Association Of Insurance and Pension Editors (NAIPE) presented the 2025 Appreciation Awards to him in Lagos recently, said he was doing what he felt should be done all the while, without knowing that a body of journalists was observant of his activities.

He expressed his passion for the growth and development of insurance industry, especially, assuring that he is ever ready to support every stakeholder, including journalists, critical to the future of the sector.

While appreciating insurance journalists who have been reporting the sector for decades during good and bad times, he said: “the advice I would give you is to continue doing journalism in the most ethical way. The point I would like to emphasise is to continue to do the things that you are doing in the most ethical way. Journalism can make or mar a man, but be the one who uses journalism to make a man because history don’t forget people of such virtue.

“And the pretentional race is now becoming even more serious because of the digital environment we operate in through social media and once you say something bad about somebody, it goes viral. To me, if I am a journalist and I sent somebody through that stress, I may not be able to sleep. So, honestly I thank you very much on behalf of my colleagues on the board of FBS Re. ”

Earlier, the chairman of the 2025 NAIPE Annual Conference, Mr. Roland Okoro commended Zakariyau for changing the face of the industry and some innovations he brought on board during his time as the president of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN). He also appreciated his professionalism and managerial acumen as the managing director/CEO of the defunct Niger Insurance Plc, as well as other positions he occupied in the industry.

Similarly, the chairperson of NAIPE, Mrs. Nkechi Naeche-Esezobor said, he was found worthy as one of the six personalities who deserve to be commended for their selfless service to the nation’s insurance industry, as the association celebrate 10 years of the annual conference, adding that, ‘the consensus was that you deserve this award looking at your pedigree and impacts you have had and continue to have in the insurance landscape.’

According to her, “the Association counts you worthy of its highly esteemed award, following your track records as the former President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria(CIIN) and leadership role across the industry including as MD/ Chairman of renowned Insurance Companies, including FBS Re, where you are currently the Chairman.”

Zakariyau has over 40 years of experience in the insurance sector in Nigeria and has served on the Boards of more than 20 national and multinational institutions. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, Fellow of Nigeria Institute of Management, Fellow of the Institute of Marketing and Fellow of the Institute
of Directors.

He is the current President of Lagos
Business School (AMP4) and a member of the Governing Council of the Alumni Association (LBSAA). He was a Past President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria. He holds an Associateship of the Chartered Insurance Institute of the UK and a Masters degree in Business Administration.

He has held various Senior and Management positions in the insurance sector before joining Niger Insurance Plc as a General Manager (Technical) in 1993. Due to the recognition of his professionalism and hard work, he quickly rose to the Executive Director Position that same year.

In 1997, he was appointed Managing Director of the company. After nine years of successfully heading the company’s affairs, he was appointed as Chairman of the company’s Board in 2006. He retired in December 2015 after 22 years of meritorious service to Niger Insurance.

The Managing Director of Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Olaotan Soyinka has called on Nigerians to be cautious and safety-conscious during this period of the ‘ember’ months so as to safeguard lives and properties.

Olaotan stated that the possession of insurance policies should not be a reason for carelessness by holders of such policies.
He said “while it is generally known that accidents are common during the ‘ember’ months as a result of increased activities during the period with people rushing to meet up with their goals as the year rounds up, it is advisable that even in the midst of such activities, we should still exercise caution so that we do not get involved in unnecessary mishaps that could have been averted.”

Soyinka added that “while it is not in dispute that insurance helps to mitigate against risks, it should not be taken as a license to throw caution to the wind and be careless.”
He cautioned that rather, insurance should be seen as a respite in case of the unforeseen and inevitable.

It is widely known that cases of motor crashes, fire outbreaks and other perils are usually on the increase during the last months of the year, hence the need for caution to be exercised by all and sundry so as to prevent such misfortunes.

Sovereign Trust, a company listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange commenced business on Jan 2, 1995 and has a network of offices spread across major commercial cities in the country. The company’s expertise is tailored towards non-life insurance products that include Motor Insurance, Fire and Property Insurance, Consequential Loss, All Risks, Houseowners/Householders’ Insurance, Burglary/Housebreaking, Professional Indemnity, Marine and Aviation Insurance, Personal Accident, Fidelity Guarantee, Cash-In-Transit, Products Liability, Machinery Breakdown, Contractor’s All Risk, Hulls and Passengers, Oil and Gas and a host of other policies under the stable of the organization.

The Underwriting Firm drives its operations with top-notch technology with great emphasis on human capital development and career advancement for members of its staff.

Leadway Pensure PFA, a Pension Fund Administrator in Nigeria, proudly celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Over the last 20 years, the PFA has served thousands of customers across Nigeria and beyond, standing as a clear testament to its commitment to providing financial stability at various stages of workers’ career journeys.
Speaking on this remarkable achievement, Olusakin Labeodan, MD/CEO, Leadway Pensure PFA, stated: “As we celebrate 20 years of Leadway Pensure PFA, this milestone is more than a celebration of longevity, it is a tribute to trust, service and innovation. From the very beginning, our mission has been very clear, to deliver a pension system without barriers. Over two decades, we have transformed this vision into reality by simplifying pension access, embracing cutting-edge technology, and ensuring our services are always within reach. With a presence nationwide, a robust mobile platform and the AI-powered assistant LISA, we have placed pension services within the reach of eligible Nigerians.
We have supported countless customers in achieving life goals, from retirement to home ownership, by ensuring access, clarity and care at every step. This is a testament to the strong relationships and legacy we have built with every customer. Trust is at the heart of our service, propelling us to uphold world-class standards and earning us global certifications such as ISO/IEC 27001:2022 for information security, a mark of our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our customers’ funds,” he added.
Looking ahead, the company is committed to promoting youth-focused financial literacy, growing personal pension plans and strengthening customer engagement across every stage of the pension journey. “The next years and beyond will be shaped by the same dedication that brought us this far, a future-forward mindset, a culture of excellence, and an unyielding promise to stand by our customers every step of the way,” Olusakin concluded.
As it commemorates 20 years of service, Leadway Pensure reaffirms its commitment to simplifying retirement planning, delivering consistent value, and driving financial inclusion across Nigeria. With a clear vision for the future, the firm remains dedicated to being the trusted partner in providing financial wellness for generations to come.