By CHARLES IWUOHA

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has advocated the training of young people into the insurance profession to develop future professionals in the field and create employment for the teeming Nigerian youths.

Otti was speaking in his office while receiving a delegation of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) led by its President and CEO, Mrs. Ekeoma Ezeibe.

The Governor noted that one cannot become a professional without passing through training, and added that, his interest in the training of the young people made him to organise leadership training for them recently in the Abia Leadership Training Initiative and TechRise program.

"So, it is also possible to have some of our young people and get them interested in this. So, they can get the training because you didn't get here without learning.

"So, I'm very particular about our young people. We set up the Abia Leadership Academy last year. We trained about a thousand people.

While commending the role played by the NCRIB in the nation's economy, Governor Otti said that the emergence of the organisation has checked the initial trust challenge of NCRIB amongst their clients.

"The emergence of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) checked that (the distrust in insurance), because you stand in the gap between the insurance companies and the customers.

"And I think it's interesting that you have up to 600 registered insurance brokers" Governor Otti stated.

Otti, who described the presentation made by the President of the NCRIB as excellent, said that his government would look at their position critically, and instructed, his Special Adviser on IGR, Dr Emmanuel Okpechi, Special Adviser on Monitoring and Evaluation, Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor and the Technical Assistant, Mr. Charles Egonye to work with the organisation and work out modalities for partnership.

"What you (NCRIB President) presented is reasonable, even though it looks novel.

"Ordinarily, the position would be that, the government would provide an open environment and have businesses run.

"So, they (government team members) would look at it critically. Because, this is a call for the government to get into the arena and drive the process, if I understood you very well. And I have no problem with that, to the extent that value is going to be delivered. Particularly to the insured.

Otti congratulated the NCRIB President on her emergence and said that he was glad that the organisation made the right choice, adding that, he is proud of her.

"We are very proud of you. We are very happy that you were elected the President.

"I'm very confident that she will take the NCRIB to the topmost level. One thing we give to the world is competence" Gov. Otti stated.

He thanked the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Broker for the consideration of Umuahia for the 2026 CEO's retreat, and assured of the support of his government to ensure a smooth retreat.

Speaking earlier, the President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mrs. Ekeoma Ezeibe, highlighted the role of insurance in driving sustainable economic development.

She commended the Governor for his efforts in transforming the State, including the rehabilitation of markets and roads, describing his impact as visible across Aba and other parts of Abia, noting that Aba, long recognised as the commercial hub of Eastern Nigeria, had in the past experienced significant infrastructure decay but expressed delight that Governor Otti is fixing Abia.

She stressed that sustainability remains critical for the success of developmental initiatives and underscored the importance of insurance in supporting businesses and ensuring continuity.

"For decades, Aba has been recognised as the commercial hub of Eastern Nigeria and over time, the city used to be a focal point of infrastructure decay and experienced significant deterioration.

"Its markets, once renowned and central to regional trade, fell into disrepair, while export activities declined as traders struggled with poor infrastructure.

"This trend, however, changed with the emergence of a hardworking Governor who deliberately set out to reverse the decay.

"His impact is now visible across the State, from the rehabilitation of markets to the reconstruction of roads, not only in Aba but in other parts of Abia as well" Mrs. Ezeibe stated.

She appreciated the Governor for his support during her investiture as the 23rd President of the organisation last October.

She presented the pathway to what she intends to do, and sought partnership with the State, listing some benefits of the collaboration to include; job creation, stability and security, build and protect, encouragement of investments, access to healthcare, and creation of value for the State among others.

The acting Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Mereibeole, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Ph.D, Special Adviser on IGR, Dr. Emmanuel Okpechi, Special Adviser on Monitoring and Evaluation, Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor among others were present during the working visit.

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