Pan-African reinsurance journalist of the year award |23 April 2016

Nike Popoola of Nigeria’s Punch newspaper wins to prize

Nike Popoola of Nigeria’s Punch newspaper has been awarded the Pan-African reinsurance journalist of the year award for her article ‘Battle of the wits: local, foreign firms jostle for insurance deals’.

Ms Popoola and other winners of the Continental Reinsurance Journalism Awards were rewarded during a short ceremony held on Thursday evening at Eden Bleu.

Close to 100 entries from journalists across Africa were received during this inaugural journalism award and 23 finalists were shortlisted from which judges selected three winners.

Journalists were required to demonstrate how their articles raised awareness and understanding of the reinsurance sector in Africa and display integrity in their work.

In her article ‘Battle of the wits: local, foreign firms jostle for insurance deals’ Ms Popoola explores the challenges the sector faces as African reinsurance struggles to gain a bigger share of the business in their respective countries which is largely given to foreign companies and how retention of premiums in local markets will boost GDP in African countries.

Ms Popoola, who was very happy and grateful to God, said this award is going to boost her profile and it will motivate her to even work harder because the reward of hard work is more work.

“This is the first of its kind in Africa and to be named as the best insurance and reinsurance reporter in the continent I feel so happy,” she said.

She has also won prestigious awards back in her home country such as the Nigerian Media Merit Award as the insurance reporter of the year in 2010, 2011 and 2015 and the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence as insurance reporter of the year in 2010 and 2015.

Steve Mbogo was awarded best re-insurance industry feature article for his story ‘From small acorns grow mighty oaks’.

Mr Mbogo is a Kenyan journalist and publisher of 15 years experience and is now writing for local and foreign publications including Commercial Risk Africa and the Financial Mail.

Evans Boah-Mensah of Ghana’s Business and Financial Times newspaper was awarded best re-insurance industry analysis and commentary for his article ‘Life insurance growing through micro and risk schemes’.

Mr Boah-Mensah started his career as a reporter in 2005 and has risen through the ranks, occupying the news editor position in Ghana’s biggest business newspaper.

Continental Reinsurance initiated the awards in 2015 to recognise and acknowledge the good work of media on the continent.

Continental Reinsurance is a composite reinsurer, writing business in more than 50 countries across the African continent.

Chief executive of Continental Reinsurance Plc and group managing director Dr Femi Oyetunji said: “The insurance and reinsurance sector has a valuable role to play in Africa’s economic growth and development. That’s why Continental Reinsurance is committed to developing and recognising the respected contribution of journalists in Africa.”

He also said he is pleased with the number of entries and that he honours every journalist’s contribution.

The independent, international panel of six judges consisted of Jonathan Grun, Michael Wilson, William Wallis, Julia Graham, Afif Ben Yedder and Léone Ouedraogo.

Ms Ouedraogo said “as a journalist, to see your work recognised is one of the best feelings on earth. It was a privilege to be involved in this important initiative.”

Seychelles Media Commission secretary Larrey Chetty was the guest speaker in this event and Seychelles Investment Board chief executive Rupert Simeon addressed the audience on Seychelles’ investment opportunities.

Present at the auspicious event were the principal secretary for Finance & Trade Patrick Payet, chairperson of the SMC Ibrahim Afif and key partners in media and insurance across Africa among other guests.