Two (2) prominent sons of the Association (Mr. O.S Thomas & Mr. Segun Ogbonnewo) that had served and still serving meritoriously are to be honored on Saturday 8th July 2017, Mr. Thomas for his promotion/engagement at the National Insurance Commission and Mr. Ogbonnewo for his retirement at Access Bank Plc.
Mr. Thomas Olorundare Sunday is the immediate past Director –General/ Chief Executive of the Nigerian Insurers Association and now the Deputy Commissioner (Technical) at the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM). He has previously worked as a Director with various responsibilities at the National Insurance Commission from 1992 until December 2009 when he retired.
Before his employment at the National Insurance Commission he had worked in the Insurance industry as an underwriter for over 10years. During the period he rose to the position of Assistant General Manager at AIICO Insurance Plc before he left in 1992.
Mr. Thomas is an Insurance Professional with degrees in Actuarial Science and Finance all from the University of Lagos.
He was a member of the governing board of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) – 2003 – 2004 and was also a member of the Inter Agency Presidential Committee on the Delisting of Nigeria from the FATF list of Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories
He was a resource person at the West Africa Insurance Institute (WAII), The Gambia and has also delivered papers on various subjects both locally and internationally.
As a grass rooter, he knows and understands his people perfectly which makes his role as ODA president very easy to play. From the earliest periods of human history, communities have sought to improve their lot through self-help efforts otherwise known as community development activities; as such community development constitutes a part of the overall development strategy. Hence, the theory of community development is derived from a general theory of development. Due to the secular character of rural African society, specific programmes and strategies are usually designed to address the problem of underdevelopment and poverty, one of the enduring and flourishing heritages of traditional African society is their involvement in community development efforts. Because of his love for his community, he has been living his life for the growth, development, justice, peace, equity and fairness in his mother land committing time and resources to better the lots of the citizenry both dead, living and future generations.
Mr. Thomas is indeed a blessings to Ogidi, Ijumu, Okun, Kogi, Nigeria and the world, his many policies both official and non-official has and is making headway for the community and the country. He is known as a man that believes in teaching people how to fish rather than depending on him for the ones he always give to them.
There is a saying that behind every successful man, there is always a delight, diligent, hardworking, God Fearing, Faithful and prayerful woman; Mr. O.S Thomas is married to a gorgeous Mummy of mine Mrs. O.F Thomas and blessed with children.
What else can we wish for a man that is known for his saying “your current level will always be the least you can ever be” than to pray to God that his wishes always come to pass in his life and in the life of all his faithful followers. Congratulation sir, you really deserve this honor.
Mr. Olusegun Ogbonnewo, also known as Segun, serves as Group Head of Channel Services at Access Bank Plc. Olusegun Ogbonnewo served as Group Head of Centralized Operations Group of Access Bank Plc and served as its General Manager and Group Head of Central Processing Group.
He holds a B.Sc. Degree (1985) in Education from the University, Ilorin and an MBA (2001) from IESE, University of Navara, Barcelona, Spain. He has more than two decades banking experience spanning Commercial Banking, Credit and Marketing, Domestic Operations and Human Capital Development in 2 African countries.
Permit me to share one of the astonished experience I had with him. On that faithful day, I was so eager to meet him after I made a call to him like 3 days before to book an appointment; I was so naïve to meet the ever ringing name (Segun Ogbonnewo) in Ogidi circle of the great men. I got to his office and was stopped by security men, when asked who I wanted to see and I mentioned Mr. Segun Ogbonnewo, it was like mentioning that i want to see the President of Federal Republic as they started bombarding me with security questions that I even consider not seeing him again. I only managed to tell them to at least call him to hear if he is not expecting me, after the call (I don’t know what ensued on phone) the fierce looking security men started joking with me and comically said ‘So you are even Oga Son, and you dey do like outsider’ that was when it occurred to me that he told them I am his son. Ever since, he has been a good, caring and close father.
As a son, I can authoritatively say his love for his community and the society at large supersedes personal love, his contributions to the development of the modern banking sector and Ogidi community is second to none. A youth developer, lover of children, helper to the aged and widow and a man that love God so much.
Proverbs 18:22 says He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord, Mr. Ogbonnewo finds a good thing and obtains favor from God through Mrs. Ogbonnewo and blessed with children.
Wishing you and your family all the best as you enter into a new phase of life, may you enjoy the extra time that you will be spending with them. From all of us in ODA we want to wish you the most exciting and stress-free retirement ever.
IBILEKE OLUWASEYI O. B.Sc, ACE, MBA, ACIIN
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Wonderful job SnAzzy. Weldone