West
African Insurance Institute (WAII)-The Gambia, an institution with full
diplomatic status that was established in August 1978 by the governments of
Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia and The Gambia, in collaboration with the
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has recently held
its 40th graduation.
Held
at the WAII campus, twenty-five students from The Gambia, Nigeria and Sierra
Leone were certified with diploma in insurance.
Addressing
the graduates, Mamburay Njie, minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, who
also doubles as the chairman of WAII governing council said leadership is a key
requirement for the successful management of any financial institution in
global challenges and management dynamics.
“The
financial crises that spread across nations in the world, is deeply rooted in
the lack of leadership and management of the world financial institutions,” he
said.
Mr
Njie lamented that quality management is an essential condition for sustainable
financial institutional development and growth, while managerial skills and
abilities are some of the major sources of overlaps of financial institutions
in recent times, in their work to create financial fragility in their economic
system.
“It
is therefore heartwarming that WAII has continued to equip our insurance
practitioners with the right training and managerial skills that will see them
deliver on their mandate and contribute to the development and upholding the
economic system,” he added.
Finance
and Economic Affairs minister Njie further appealed to everyone that WAII needs
their support as they cannot make any meaningful impact on their economy
without assistance in the area of infrastructural development, student sponsorship
and patronage, adding that the strategic importance of the institute in West
Africa sub-region cannot be over emphasized.
Frederick
Bowen-John, director general of WAII and head of mission, said 20 examinable
modules were thought during the year and a new examinable format will also be
reviewed in the upcoming year.
“Examinations
consist of two parts. Part A consists of 20 compulsory short questions while
part B consists of 6 questions of which the students are required to answer
only 3. This is all geared towards bringing WAII program course assessment
procedure to a professional standard,” he explained.
Mr.
Bowen-John expressed appreciation to the entire academic board, chief examiners
and examiners, visiting lecturers and project supervisors for their tireless
efforts during the year to ensure that they deliver on their mandate within the
integrity and standards of WAII assessment procedure.
“All
the 25 students who were enrolled in the program have completed the course and
nine diploma students received distinction, twelve students received diploma
with upper credit while four received diploma with lower credit. Four students
were referred during the first semester exams but were successful in the re-sit
examination,” he said.
He
revealed that after 26 years of the supreme dominations of the awards for
students with the highest scholastic achievement by students of Ghana and
Nigeria, a Sierra Leonean has finally taken the mantle by winning the award of
the best student for the 40th badge with an overall average of 90.36%.
Joycie
Milliya Hamillen Macarly, Sierra Leonean nationality who received the 2019
highest scholastic achievement expressed gratitude to the WAII administration,
saying they have been very supportive during their stay.
“We
have been in The Gambia for 42 weeks. Even though I was counting on returning
to my country, WAII has given us a very good experience. I remember when i was
coming to the country I told myself that I am coming to the institution to
acquire insurance knowledge which I have now and made my country (Sierra Leone)
proud.”
