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Reps Probe N3.45bn Abandoned Solar Power Project

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The House of Representatives on Tuesday unveiled plans to investigate the N3.45 billion approved for Solar Powered Grid Project in the six geo-political zones and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in 2013.

The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Honourable Aniekan Umanah who called for the intervention of the House.

In his lead debate, Umanah stressed the need for Federal Ministry of Power to account for the roll out an Off Grid Renewable Solar Energy Project code named Operation Light up Rural Nigeria (OLRN) with a budget of N3.446 billion for four years, from 2013 to 2016.

According to him, the project was targeted at four communities of Durumi-Mpape, Waru, Shape in the FCT as pilot scheme with plans to expand the scope later to other states of the federation.

“The House observes that with the coming of the present administration in 2015, the solar power project was rechristened Renewable Energy (Solar) Micro Utility (REMU) by the then Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and was expanded to provide additional 18 mini grids with three in each geopolitical zone.

“The House is aware that the sum of N1.4 billion was released in 2014 to fund the pilot projects, where N40.6 billion was earmarked for periodic maintenance in 2015, and another N40.1 billion for maintenance of each of the 18 grids.

“The House is also aware that Messrs Schneider Electric Nigeria Ltd was awarded the Durumi grid in the sum of N228.4 million in 2014; Mesers Lordzetech got Waru grid for N228.4 million and also won Shape grid, all in the FCT for N218.9 million, according to records at the Bureau of Public Enterprises.

“The House is further aware that the sum of N382.6 million was fully released in 2015 to fund the 18 mini grids, while another N305.3 million meant to construct a grid in Pakau, Kaduna State was also fully released.

“The House is worried that the sum of N625.5 million has been expended on OLRN alone, while N687.9 million has also gone into funding REMU as at 2017 according to budget records.

EFCC re-arraigns ex-Lagos speaker, Ikuforiji for allegedly laundering…
“The House is also concerned that despite the huge investments on the projects, most of them were found, shortly after their commissioning in 2014 not to have been properly implemented while others were outrightly abandoned till date with some of the equipment already vandalised.

“The House is further concerned that the overall intention of government to power up the rural areas in order to create jobs and assist in the springing up of small businesses for the local populace, thereby bringing development closer to the people and checkmating rural-urban migration has been defeated by the inefficient handling of the projects since inception,” he noted.

To this end, the House mandated its Committee on Power to investigate the abandonment of the projects by the Federal Ministry of Power since 2018 despite the huge amounts of money expended and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

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NAICOM Parleys FRSC, NHIA To Protect Motorists, Road Users

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The trio of National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) have agreed to strengthen their efforts in improving safety and emergency response on Nigerian roads through the Motor Third Party Insurance Scheme.
This development followed a courtesy visit by the FRSC Corps Marshall, Shehu Muhammed to the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Olusegun Omosehin on Thursday in Abuja.

During the meeting, the Corps Marshal congratulated NAICOM on the signing of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025 and acknowledged the Commission’s efforts in driving reforms in the industry.
He emphasised the need for enhanced data exchange between NAICOM and FRSC to develop a robust system for quick response to road accidents and compensation.
The Corps Marshal also stressed the importance of digitising the process for prompt emergency response and eliminating fake motor insurance policies.

Responding, the Commissioner for Insurance thanked the Corps Marshal for the visit and commended his efforts in upgrading the licensing system.
He also highlighted that NIIRA 2025 has strengthened the compulsory third-party motor insurance policy and established a fund for compensating road accident victims, which will be administered by a committee that includes FRSC representation.

The representative of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Mr. Ajodi Nuhu Nasir expressed satisfaction at the collaborative efforts among the agencies, noting that this synergy will culminate in a robust system that not only safeguards our roads, but also ensures prompt and quality medical treatment for accident victims, thereby reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with road crashes.

The meeting culminated in the following agreements:

1. Data Sharing Integration: NAICOM and FRSC will integrate their data sharing systems to enable seamless information sharing.
2. Joint Awareness Campaign: The agencies will develop a joint awareness campaign strategy to educate the public on insurance benefits and road safety.
3. Enforcement Committee: A joint committee will be established to collaborate on enforcement of proper insurance coverage and address cases of fake insurance policies.
4. Inclusion of Insurance Requirements: FRSC will include insurance requirements, especially for valid third-party motor insurance, in its awareness and enforcement efforts.

The collaboration aims to promote road safety, ensure prompt treatment for accident victims, and protect the interests of motorists and other road users. A date will be announced for the inauguration of the joint committee.

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13-year-old Wins Heirs Insurance Essay Championship, Gets N5m

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Heirs Insurance Group has announced the winners of the 4th edition of the Heirs Insurance Essay Championship, a nationwide competition promoting financial literacy and academic excellence among secondary school students and educators.
The grand finale, held in Abuja recently, brought together students, parents, and academic leaders for a celebration of knowledge and creativity. This year’s edition, which attracted over 5,000 entries from junior secondary school students nationwide, was anchored on the topic “The Role of Insurance in Keeping Families Safe and Secure”.
After a rigorous evaluation process by a panel of academic professionals, independently verified by Deloitte & Touche, 13-year-old Rhema-Love Abraham of Precepts Learning Field, Lagos, emerged as the overall winner, earning a N5 million scholarship and a N1 million grant for her school.
Bernice Michael of S-TEE High School, Lagos, claimed the second-place position, winning a N2 million scholarship, while Afopefoluwa Tofio-Jacobs of D-IVY College, Ogun State, took third place, receiving a N1 million scholarship.
This year, Heirs Insurance introduced the inaugural Teachers Prize, to honour teachers promoting insurance awareness within their schools and communities. This initiative was created to democratise access to insurance literacy, working collaboratively with teachers and educators.
Mr. Okpe James Chidi, a teacher at Urban Secondary School, Umuna Orlu, Imo State, emerged as the winner of the Teachers’ Insurance Awareness Prize, with a personal award of N1 million cash prize, and a N500,000 grant for his school. His project, which deepened students’ understanding of financial literacy and insurance, was praised for its innovation, reach, and measurable impact.
Speaking at the ceremony, Niyi Onifade, Sector Head, Heirs Insurance Group, commended all the participants for their creativity and drive, emphasising the Group’s commitment to nurturing future leaders through education.
He said, “We are proud of every student and teacher who participated in this year’s Essay Championship. Their creativity, curiosity, and dedication reflect the future we envision for our nation; one built on knowledge, innovation, and resilience. At Heirs Insurance Group, we believe financial literacy is a powerful tool for empowerment and transformation”.
The Heirs Insurance Essay Championship is a flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of Heirs Insurance Group, created to build awareness of insurance literacy and critical thinking among young Nigerians. The introduction of the Teachers’ Insurance Awareness Prize further demonstrates the Group’s commitment to advancing insurance education and promoting financial inclusion at every level of society.

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Leadway Assurance Wins Two At BAFI Awards

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Leadway Assurance won two awards at the 2025 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, as the Insurance Company of the Year and Excellence in Claims Leadership & Digital Innovation. This is the second consecutive year the company would be emerging as the insurance company of the year.
These recognitions reaffirm Leadway Assurance’s position as a trusted insurer, underpinned by 55 years of legacy of integrity, innovation, and customer focus.
In 2024 alone, the company paid out N117 billion in claims. Each payout reflects restored livelihoods and renewed confidence for families and businesses across the country.
Commenting on the milestone, Gboyega Lesi, Managing Director of Leadway Assurance, said: “These double honours are a worthy recognition of the dedication of our team and our commitment to serving customers better every day. The recognition motivates us to continue building systems and teams that ensure no one faces uncertainty alone. Each innovation and every claim fulfilled reaffirms our promise to provide protection. For Leadway Assurance, these accolades celebrate our sense of purpose, reliability, and the lasting strength of an indigenous brand built to endure.
“Winning the Insurance Company of the Year for the second consecutive year and adding Excellence in Claims Leadership and Digital Innovation awards reflects our consistent devotion to excellence, consistency, and innovation in delivering value. We thank the leadership of BusinessDay for celebrating our relentless pursuit of efficiency, transparency, and empathy in every customer interaction; from simplifying claims processes to leveraging technology for faster, smarter access to insurance policies, as we continue to redefine trust and innovation in the insurance industry.”
Leadway Assurance’s transformation of claims management has set a new benchmark in the insurance industry. Leveraging cutting-edge technology, the company has digitised its claims processes, enabling customers to file, track, and finalise claims seamlessly. This digital shift has significantly reduced turnaround times and elevated customer experience nationwide.

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