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ECOWAS’ New Brown Cards To Tackle Faking

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NIA-Logo in its efforts at
eradicating fake ECOWAS Brown Cards, the sub-regional Secretariat in Lome, Togo has standardized the operations of the scheme with the design of a new consensual brown card to be implemented from January 1, 2015.
A meeting of the scheme  in the Togolese capital  recently took critical look at the operation of the scheme and adopted measures to streamline the effective operation of the system in member countries.
According to the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA)  2013-2014 yearly report,  the scheme is modeled after the Green Card scheme in Europe, Pink Card in Central African sub-region and yellow card scheme in the Arab countries sub-region.
The report explained that in order to reduce the time for claims processing, an on line claims management software is being designed by the secretariat.
Some of the challenges confronting the ECOWAS Brown Card scheme, the report said, include the need to review the Brown Card protocol in line with current realities.
Besides, the National Bureau has continued to face challenges in Cross Border Claims Management, including delay in claims payment, issues with the police formation of some member countries, and inability to get motorists released especially in cases involving loss of life.
According to sources at NIA, “The major challenge facing the brown card system is that of fake holders, we have more fake brown cards in the system than the genuine ones. When we say that, we speak in terms of the Nigerian experience, because we have found that the way the Brown Card is treated varies from country to country  within the sub-region. There are countries once you buy  comprehensive insurance or third party, automatically they sell the Brown Card to you, so that everybody  who get a certificate of insurance gets the Brown Card too, whether you want to travel or not.
“But in Nigeria, we do not sell unless you need it, that is only when you want to travel outside Nigeria that you come to buy the Brown Card, but unlike the ordinary motor certificate, which is not checked whether you want to take your vehicle across the frontiers, the Brown Card is part of the documents that they will check.”
Besides, most people do not know about the Brown Card until they get to the borders and they are so many touts  around the borders that sell fake ECOWAS Brown Card to them to continue their journey.
Another challenge, the source said, is that of language barrier, adding, “the language barrier has not really enhance the issue of ECOWAS Brown Card, equally, we have had problems with the law enforcement agencies, even in Nigeria, when somebody comes from another country and is involved in an accident, despite  our intervention from Nigerian National Bureau and explained  the procedures and all that sometimes, the law enforcement agents do not co-operate with us they will insist on the foreigner paying before they release vehicles.
“These are the challenges we have had to face. Most Nigerians who are affluent and insure their cars properly don’t really like to travel by road, most Nigerian companies have not paid attention to it and it is only when your major client wants to travel, they come to you and we sell this document for them, but the vast majority of those who travel along the road regularly are those who patronize these touts for their third party certificates”.

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Firm Unveils Digital Solutions For Cooperatives

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A subsidiary outfit of First Registrars Firm, the Cle Digital Services Limited, has launched a digital solution for cooperative societies in the country.
Business Manager of Clé Digital Services Limited, Oladipupo Olabisi, at the launch in Lagos, revealed that the product, Clé Cooperative Management Solution, was a revolutionary digital platform, professionally designed to streamline cooperative management and enhance members’ engagement.
He said, “Today marks a significant milestone in our journey as we introduce a groundbreaking digital platform designed to transform the way cooperative organisations operate and engage with their members.
“The Clé Coop Solution represents the culmination of extensive research, development, and collaboration with cooperative communities around the world.
“From multipurpose societies to housing cooperatives and agricultural cooperatives, the Clé Coop Solution empowers cooperatives of all sizes to efficiently manage their operations, communicate with members, and foster collaboration”.
Highlighting the economic and environmental significance of cooperative societies, Olabisi explained that with significant investment committed to the development of the product, members of cooperative societies, particularly administrators and executives, would have robust experience.

The business Manager added, “We also understand the challenges that many cooperatives face in navigating complex operational tasks and effectively communicating with their members.

“To this end, Clé Coop Solution is a step ahead of other platforms, as it also offers more than just cooperative management services. Members of cooperative societies can have access to a number of value-added services, such as the CLE market hub, discounts on specific products and services and much more.

“Finally, I want to reiterate our firm belief in the power of cooperation and technology to drive positive changes in the world. With the Clé Cooperative Solution, we are not just launching a product; we are embarking on a journey to empower cooperatives and create a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for all”.

A Director with the Lagos State Government Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Co-operatives, represented by the Surulere Cooperatives Area Coordinator, Mr Akin Adekunle, commended the launch of the software to address specific challenges of cooperative societies.

He charged the organisation not to limit the use of the cooperative solution to the elite cooperatives but to other categories, as society was replete with various types of cooperatives.

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AI, Key To Business Profitability – NAICOM

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The Commissioner for Insurance/CEO, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr. Sunday Thomas, has said artificial intelligence (AI) is key to the future of insurance business in Nigeria.
He, therefore, urged insurance operators to increase adoption in this area, saying it gives better productivity and enhanced profitability, while ensuring quick service delivery and claims payment to insurance consumers.
Thomas stated this while delivering a keynote address at the 8th BusinessToday annual conference & exhibition with the theme, “The World of AI: How Insurance and Pension Sectors Can Explore Opportunities for Market Penetration”, in Lagos.
Thomas, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Lagos Office of NAICOM, Ajibola Olabisi Bankole, said Technology adoption is part of the 10-year roadmap of the insurance industry, and that NAICOM, as a regulator, will continue to evolve policies that will engender the growth of the industry, increase penetration and contribute to the nation’s GDP.
Earlier in his Goodwill message, Chairman of the conference, who is also the Chairman of NEM Insurance Plc, Mr. Tope Smart, noted the level of insurance penetration in Nigeria when benchmarked with the global penetration, saying that a lot of factors were responsible for the increase in penetration level.
He said lack of or low enforcement is affecting the adoption of compulsory insurances, adding that the industry is working assiduously to partner agencies responsible for enforcement to increase insurance adoption.
“It is quite saddening that out of a population of 200 million, only about  three million people are actually insured. Lack of enforcement is a challenge but the industry is working round the clock to increase enforcement through the regulatory and enforcement bodies.
“Consumers’ apathy due to bad experience they had in the past is affecting policy renewals, but I can assure Nigerians that there are various complaint avenues for people to lodge complaints.
“If your legitimate claims are not settled, you can approach Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) and NAICOM; if your complaints are genuine, they will be definitely resolved”, he assured.
The President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mr. Edwin Igbiti, said the growing insurance industry will require that the nation’s economy be derisked, while seeking partnership with government  and other stakeholders to deepen insurance penetration.
He stated that AI will increase insurance premium growth, enhance service delivery, and ensure that the insurance sector contributes more to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP).

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Bank Unveils Upgraded Mobile App

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The Stanbic IBTC Bank, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, has unveiled an enhanced version of its mobile app which was optimised specifically for businesses.
Head of Partnerships at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Omolara Osunsoko, in her opening remarks at the event in Lagos said the enhanced mobile app offers a range of new features designed to streamline and simplify digital banking for business owners.
She said, “The solutions added to the app will help business owners transact whilst on the go. This cutting-edge offering exemplifies our dedication to innovation, convenience and growth in our digital space. It underscores our promise to continually enhance our services”.
According to Osunsoko, the enhanced mobile app for businesses provides a comprehensive suite of tools to manage finances efficiently.
“With an intuitive interface, users can execute transactions seamlessly, transfer funds between accounts, check real-time balances, and manage beneficiaries. The app offers instant access to transaction statements, self-service options, and security features to safeguard business operations”, she added.
The Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank,  Wole Adeniyi, remarked, “We are thrilled to introduce the enhanced Stanbic IBTC Mobile App tailored specifically for our business clients.
“Our goal is to provide businesses with a seamless and efficient platform to conduct their banking activities, including transactions, statement requests, transfers, and more, all from the convenience of their mobile devices.
“This app enhancement is a significant step in our ongoing efforts to simplify our banking processes and enhance the customer experience through technology.
“With robust security measures and a user-friendly interface, our business clients can now manage their finances more efficiently and confidently”.

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