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UN POLAC Honours Ojemudia for Uncommon Bravery

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Joyce Ojemudia

By Dipo Olowookere

For her uncommon bravery and strength in the face of adversity to achieve success, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of African Alliance Insurance Plc, Mrs Joyce Ojemudia, has been honoured by the United Nations Positive Livelihood and Awards Centre (UN POLAC Foundation).

The UN POLAC recognised Mrs Ojemudia as a Distinguished Woman of Peace and Honour, conferring her with the prestigious Queen Amina Heroine Award.

In a Letter of Award signed by the Director-General of UN-POLAC, Prof Halo B. Eton, it was stated that the insurance expert was chosen “to propagate peace-building in Nigeria and assist in the implementation of UNDP programmes initiatives.”

It further disclosed that with her selection as Woman of Peace, Mrs Ojemudia “may be called upon for peace-making, conflict resolution and other activities that encourage peace and positive living in line with international best practices.”

The African Alliance chief is an accomplished insurance professional and astute manager of resources with over 20 years of experience in insurance sales, business development, risk management, claims administration and reinsurance.

She is an alumnus of the prestigious Lagos Business School (SMP 40) and the University of Lagos where she had her first and second degrees in Insurance and Risk Management respectively.

She is also a Fellow of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, an Associate of both the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria and the Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria.

In 2020, she was elected the President of the Professional Insurance Ladies Association (PILA), the elite body of professional women in Insurance on the continent. Under her watch, the professional association successfully hosted her first ever Africa-wide side event at the continental African Insurance Organisation (AIO) Conference during its 47th edition held in Lagos.

Few months after her ascension to the PILA top position, she was appointed the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of African Alliance Insurance Plc, Nigeria’s foremost indigenously-owned life insurer with some 50,000 active policyholders spanning over three generations.

As head honcho at the legacy insurer, Mrs Ojemudia has instituted a virile cost-saving strategy that is driving a top to bottom change within the organization while aggressively growing her market share by making viable and humane life insurance accessible to more Nigerians.

Recall that last year, her shrewd management style enabled African Alliance Insurance PLC to clear years-old legacy indebtedness to the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD); a move that industry watchers consider ‘bold and groundbreaking’  in all ramifications.

In 2021, she was recognised by Business Day Media as one of 30 Notable Alumni of the prestigious Lagos Business School.

The UN POLAC Foundation was established as an international autonomous institution following the UN General Assembly to select high profile individuals across the six geopolitical regions in Nigeria as volunteers to propagate peace building in Nigeria and assist in the implementation of UNDP programmes initiatives.

The Distinguished Woman of Peace and Honour Awards (DWOPHA) generally honours the inspiring work of women whose encouragement, leadership and commitment to peace stand out as beacons of strength and hope while the Queen Amina Heroine category celebrates women who have exhibited uncommon bravery and strength in the face of adversity to achieve success.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via dipo.olowookere@businesspost.ng

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Boko Haram: Senate Seeks Speedy Military Deployment to Borno, Yobe

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Boko Haram attack lake chad UN

By Adedapo Adesanya

Amid the resurgence of attacks by Boko Haram in Borno and Yobe States, the Senate on Tuesday asked the military to urgently redeploy personnel and advanced equipment to tackle terrorists in the areas.

The resolution followed the recent killing of over a dozen soldiers in Marte town of the Monguno Local Government Area on Monday, May 12, and a subsequent assault early Tuesday on Gajiram, the headquarters of the Nganzai Local Government Area.

In a motion raised by the Senate Chief Whip, Mr Tahir Munguno, lawmakers claimed while two-thirds of the local government areas in Borno were once under Boko Haram control, collaborative efforts between the Nigerian military and civilian joint task force had successfully reclaimed the territories.

They, however, said the restored peace has led to a relocation of the tactical command to the North-West, where the military is combating kidnapping and banditry.

Expressing concern over the militants’ evolving tactics, Mr Munguno highlighted the use of modern technologies by the group, including drones and an increase in the deployment of improvised explosive devices, which have led to high civilian and military casualties, disrupting transportation networks.

The Senate urged the military high command to swiftly redeploy sufficient troops to the North-East and ensure they are adequately equipped with modern technology to effectively combat the renewed threat, as well as mandate the committees on the army and air force to monitor and ensure compliance with this directive.

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PenCom Targets 20 Million Pension Contributors by 2027

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Nigeria's pension assets

By Adedapo Adesanya

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has said it hopes to achieve about 20 million pension contributors by the end of year 2027, as against the over 10.65 million it currently counts.

The Director-General of PenCom, Ms Omolola Oloworaran, said this over the weekend at the Pension Industry Leaders’ Retreat in Lagos.

According to her, the target would be achieved through the expansion of Personal Pension Plan (PPP) formerly known as Micro Pension Plan (MPP); constant engagements with stakeholders; enforcement of pension compliance certificates, especially by state governments amongst other initiatives.

She noted that the retreat has provided opportunities for the industry to adopt new strategies, stating that the resolutions reached will be fully implemented before the end of first quarter 2026.

On pension contributions, she said the industry expects a 50 per cent growth, stating that pension growth is essential for economic growth and development.

As of February 28, 2025 the pension fund assets was N23.27 trillion and Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders 10.65 million.

Recall that recently, the pension regulator announced the recovery of N1.58 billion from defaulting employers through enhanced enforcement efforts as total pension assets under management (AuM) surpassed N23 trillion as of February.

The DG also announced state remittances had also improved, reflecting a greater adoption of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

Ms Oloworaran noted that in spite of these advancements, challenges remain, as only 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had enacted laws to implement the CPS.

“Six states operate hybrid schemes, while another six have bills at advanced legislative stages.

“Notable progress has been made in Katsina, Yobe, Bauchi, and Abia states. However, full implementation of the CPS is currently limited to eight states,” she explained at the First Run 2025 Consultative Forum for States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) held in Kano in late April.

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CBN Warns Against Fictitious Persons Offering Contracts, Grants

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CBN IMTOs

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has again reacted to the activities of individuals and groups falsely claiming to represent or act on its behalf, warning Nigerians against falling for these schemes.

According to the Acting Director of Corporate Communications at the CBN, Mrs Hakama Sidi Ali, in a statement, these persons continue to circulate fictitious offers of contracts, loans, grants, intervention funds, and other financial benefits allegedly issued or endorsed by the CBN.

“Despite the public advisory issued on November 18, 2024, through the Bank’s official channels and news outlets, these misleading schemes have persisted, targeting unsuspecting members of the public with false and deceptive narratives,” the statement said.

“The CBN wishes to reiterate that it has not authorised, licensed, or appointed any individual, group, or organisation to act as an agent or intermediary in offering contracts, financial grants, or intervention funds to the public. The CBN also does not endorse or support such claims in any form.

“Members of the public are advised that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not award contracts or disburse funds through unsolicited communications such as emails, phone calls, SMS, WhatsApp, or any social media platform. It also does not request payment of fees in exchange for contracts, grants, or financial interventions, nor does it engage intermediaries or third parties to offer financial services or opportunities to the public.

“If you are approached by individuals or entities making such claims, we strongly advise that you do not engage with them. Instead, such incidents should be reported immediately to the relevant law enforcement agencies or the nearest CBN Branch.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria remains committed to safeguarding the financial interests of the Nigerian public and continues to work closely with security agencies to investigate and address fraudulent activities,” the statement said.

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