BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—The new management of African Alliance Insurance Plc has promised sound solvency management and absolute transparency as the company officially returns to full business operations following a major regulatory restructuring.
Speaking recently in Lagos, the newly appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ayobami Olakunle Ogunkeye, stressed that the pioneer indigenous life underwriting firm has pledged to uphold the highest standards of accountability and customer-centric service.
According to Ogunkeye, a seasoned turnaround expert, the company’s revival strategy is built directly upon these promises to ensure long-term viability and safeguard the interests of all policyholders.
The company’s renewed assurances follow a decisive regulatory intervention by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), which began in October 2024.
Prompted by severe liquidity pressures, operational disruptions, and a substantial backlog of unpaid claims, NAICOM had appointed an Interim Management Board to stabilize the 66-year-old institution.
During the intervention, the interim board successfully cleared over 75 percent of the company’s accumulated legacy liabilities.
Critical capital was unlocked through the competitive sale of a 49 percent stake in PAL Pensions, while trapped dividend funds were secured to clear up to 15 months of annuity arrears.
Additionally, the team transparently transferred the firm’s admitted annuity portfolio to an underwriting institution to secure uninterrupted payments for beneficiaries, upgraded internal ICT infrastructure, and completed vital forensic and actuarial reviews.
With these corrective milestones achieved, NAICOM Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, formally certified the company fit to resume full operations and officially handed control over to a newly constituted board and management team.
Although independent operations have resumed, African Alliance will remain under active regulatory oversight to monitor its ongoing recapitalization progress and solvency compliance closely.
The newly formed leadership structure is headed by Board Chairman Rear Admiral Anthony Odogba Isa. Joining him on the board are Andrew Ubochi as Executive Director, Technical, alongside non-executive directors Chief Boniface Chinedu Moore (SAN), High Chief Olabode Akeem Mustapha, Ataraire Gideon, and Harrison Ogalagu.
Addressing the firm’s diverse stakeholders, Ogunkeye stated that the lessons learned during the recent period of hardship have deeply reinforced the company’s resolve to develop appropriate corporate governance structure
He assured existing policyholders that their trust would be honoured without compromise, while inviting prospective clients to approach the revitalized insurer with full confidence in its financial positioning and operational capacity.
Enugu State Governor, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has rebuilt Government Technical College (GTC), transforming the once-dilapidated institution into a modern Science, Technical and Vocational education hub equipped with advanced ICT infrastructure, robotics, mechatronics and coding facilities to prepare young people for a technology-driven future.
The initiative forms part of his administration’s broader efforts to strengthen technical education, develop industry-relevant skills and position Enugu youths to take advantage of emerging economic and technological opportunities.
The comprehensive overhaul features newly constructed academic blocks, paved internal roads and upgraded learning facilities, alongside modern ICT infrastructure and industry-grade equipment supporting robotics, mechatronics, coding and programming.
Beyond its infrastructural renewal, GTC is pioneering specialised learning pathways in Science and Technology, Building and Architecture — covering trades such as bricklaying, electrical installation, plumbing and roofing — as well as Industrial Agriculture.
The integration of a Smart Green School within the college premises further creates a pathway linking foundational education with technical and vocational training, preparing students to develop practical competencies from an early stage.
Significantly, GTC is the first of eight planned model Science, Technical and Vocational Schools, with one envisaged for each of Enugu State’s eight federal constituencies. The initiative reinforces the administration’s commitment to expanding access to technical education, nurturing innovation and building a skilled workforce capable of supporting the state’s industrial and economic ambitions.
This is more than the reconstruction of an educational institution. It is an investment in human capital, youth empowerment and the next generation of skilled professionals, innovators and entrepreneurs.
Under Governor Mbah’s leadership, the focus is not merely on building structures, but on creating opportunities, strengthening institutions and laying the foundation for sustainable prosperity.
Sometimes, the picture says it all. Look beyond the structure and see the vision, the investment and the future being built.
Femi Otedola, the chairman of First HoldCo Plc, has revealed that he shared a bunk bed with Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat during their boarding school days 49 years ago.
Mr Otedola disclosed this in a post on X after hosting a dinner in honour of his longtime schoolmate, Mr Hamzat, attended by Aliko Dangote, the president of Dangote Group, and Abdulsamad Rabiu, the chairman of BUA Group.
The business tycoon said Mr Hamzat’s character has been defined over the years by honesty, sincerity, fairness, and strong moral principles.
“Yesterday, I hosted dinner in honour of @DrObafemiHamzat, the incoming Governor of Lagos State,” Mr Otedola said.
“A man of the highest integrity, with whom I shared a bunk bed at boarding school 49 years ago,” he added.
Mr Otedola stated that his longstanding relationship with Mr Hamzat has given him insight into the deputy governor’s character and values.
“My experience of his character over the years has been defined by his honesty, sincerity, fairness and strong moral principles,” Mr Otedola said.
He, however, did not disclose the name of the boarding school he attended with the Lagos State deputy governor.
The billionaire investor has interests in financial services and oil & gas. He holds about 27.7 per cent of First HoldCo’s shares, following months of steadily increasing his stake in the banking group.
Mr Hamzat is seeking to contest the 2027 governorship election in Lagos State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and has served as deputy governor under incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu since 2019.
He emerged as the APC governorship candidate in May 2026.
Mr Hamzat served as Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology and later as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure from 2005 to 2015.
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