Insurance stakeholders and practitioners have eulogised the late Prof. Joseph Irukwu for the impacts be had on the nation’s insurance landscape both as an investor, academia and operator.
The late insurance icon, who has investment in insurance industry, but noticeably in NSIA Insurance Company Limited, died on July 7, 2023 even as those who directly or indirectly benefited from his reservoir of knowledge and experience praised his exemplary character.
LEADERSHIP recalls that late Prof. Irukwu also authored several books on Insurance profession.
To this end, the entire insurance industry under the auspices of the Insurance Industry Consultative Council (IICC) organised an ‘Insurance Industry day of tributes for Prof. Joseph Irukwu,’ in Lagos last week in his honour, where they prayed for him to have eternal rest, calling on those alive to emulate his legacies.
Daughter of the deceased, Chioma Irukwu-Sideso, while appreciating insurance operators, thanked them for honouring her father, noting that the operators spent more times with her father during his inactive days.
She said such moments were cherished by her late father, even as she promised to sustain and build on the legacy left behind by him.
On his part, the chairman of IICC, Edwin Igbiti, said Irukwu fashioned the nexus between insurance and law and was an epitome of intellectualism, who saw insurance business as a tool for sustaining future, even in those days.
Irukwu, he said, was referred to as the father of insurance law, saying, law and insurance converged in him.
Similarly, the director-general of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mrs Abimbola Tiamiyu, said the industry has lost an icon, who contributed to the growth and development of the institute.
Also, the director-general, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Yetunde Ilori, in her tributes, said Irukwu was one of the founding fathers of the association and was reputed to be the finder of the present NIA House.
She stressed that though he exited active insurance practice many years ago, he remained a member of the governing council and a strong pillar of support to the association.
She added that late Irukwu was an insurance encyclopedia, a repertoire of knowledge in governance and the connection between insurance and law.
Meanwhile, the immediate-past president, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Rotimi Edu, said Irukwu contributed positively to the council and was a mentor, father figure, adding that many of the erudite members of the council were one time or the other proud proteges of Irukwu.
Also, the past president of NCRIB, Shola Tinubu, said Irukwu’ books helped shaped his knowledge on insurance, even as past president of the CIIN, Mrs Funmi Babington-Ashaye, said Irukwu was instrumental to the grooming of many professionals in the nation’s insurance industry, adding that his books, which are very simple to understand, really helped many professionals understand insurance.
Hence, the president of Institute of Loss Adjusters of Nigeria (ILAN), Diipo Olanrewaju, said Irukwu was not merely a figurehead, but he was the living embodiment of passion for the insurance industry.
Olanrewaju, who preached the word of God at the event, whilst speaking on the topic: ‘The End of All Men,’ charged insurance practitioners to imbibe the good lessons taught by Irukwu, urging insurance practitioners to shun unethical practices, adding that every man would be remembered for their deeds and would give account to God when the die, even as death reveals the vanity of life and value of life.
Earlier, the West African Insurance Companies Association (WAICA), in its tributes, signed by its secretary general, Davis Iyasere, said Prof. Irukwu was a founding father of WAICA and chairman of the sub-regional body in 1982 when the association needed leadership.
It noted that, through his administrative acumen and dexterity, he steered the ship of WAICA to an enviable heights, resulting in its growth and a meteoric rise in relevance, visibility and status for which the association is known today.
The commissioner for Insurance/CEO, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Sunday Thomas, who was represented, said Irukwu was indeed a true visionary and pillar in the financial services sector, submitting that he devoted a better part of his life to the development of the Africa insurance industry.
