In his keynote speech at the 45th batch of graduates, who have successfully completed 1-year study in Insurance programme, Minister Njie said: “As we reflect on the descriptor- 42nd batch, we can all take pride in the fact that our noble Institution- the West Africa Insurance Institute (WAII) has been building insurance related capacity in the West African sub-region for over forty years. I believe the Founding Fathers of this lofty idea deserve a round of applause.”
“In addition to celebrating our new entrants into the middle-level management cadre, I would like to reiterate WAII’s unflinching commitment to capacity building and also to the development of a sound professional insurance practice in the sub-region and beyond.”
“To this end, we over the years continue to evolve, consolidate our gains, and delve into other areas of training. This quest for continuous development also complements our flagship program, the One Year Diploma in Insurance course. Meanwhile and through the procurement and commissioning of an E-Learning Platform -complemented by an online examination package, the Institute is poised to take training to a whole new level in the coming years with several online offerings available to prospective participants globally.”
The minister furthered that there are plans to roll out several market-based and relevant courses such as the online Advanced Diploma in Organisational Resilience Management and the online Advanced Diploma in Life Assurance Management amongst others next year.
He implored member states to continue to support the Institute by their robust participation in these training programs in addition to sponsoring their staff to the annual Diploma in Insurance programme.
“We recorded the lowest students’ enrolment in the Diploma Program this year. Just eighteen (18) students I must to emphasize! Also, there are member states whose numbers have continued to dwindle. Therefore, I wish to take this opportunity to solicit better patronage from member states especially for the incoming 2022 academic session.”
“We are all very aware of the economic challenges associated with the Covid-19 pandemic and WAII like most institutions worldwide has had to contend with these very challenging times. The Institute, now more than ever, depends on all stakeholders to remain afloat.”
The minister appealed to member states to continue to fulfilling their financial obligations to the institute, as, according to him, it is the timely payment of annual subventions that ensures WAII stays afloat.
“To our corporate and individual sponsors, I say a very big ‘thank you’ to you all. I thank you for the confidence you continue to repose in WAII by entrusting your staff and wards into our care annually. Together, as partners, we shall continue to forge ahead in our quest to ensure that our various markets maintain sound professional insurance practices and remain at par with international best practices.”
To the graduating students, he said: “you have endured a most trying year and studied under very severe conditions. Your joy today should therefore know no bounds and is indeed understandable.”
“However, as you celebrate this milestone, I urge you to remember that to whom much is given, the same measure is expected. It is my firm belief that you will all go on to justify the huge investment and confidence reposed in you by your employers and/or parents. Most of you have been in insurance practice prior to coming here and the training received will surely help sharpen your professional acumen.”
“He added that as alumni of WAII, you will today join a group that remains strategic stakeholders in the insurance landscape. Together, we must all join hands in our march towards making the Institute the preferred destination when it comes to qualitative professional insurance training and capacity building in the West African sub-region and beyond. I trust that you will organize yourselves towards this common purpose.”
“I wholeheartedly congratulate you all on achieving this feat and hereby humbly ask all present here to join me in giving you a round of applause.”
On behalf of the Governing Council and WAII management, he thanked all the member countries for being worthy partners in the development of WAII and reassured the support of President Adama Barrow, saying that as a signatory to the WAII Protocol, Gambia remains committed to the overall success of the Institute.
