By Tope Adaramola
Human lives are indeed like pencils in the hands of our maker. While Providence and God’s grace have their primacy in human lives, personal determination and other virtues of integrity, focus, hard work and intelligence make us fulfilled in our chosen aspirations in life.
For Princess Ekeoma Ezeibe, FCIB, the perfect combination of hardwork, intelligence, tenacity of purpose haveΒ seen her rising to the pinnacle of her profession as an Insurance Broker, being the current President and Chairperson, Governing Board of The Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB). Having had a very robust prior legal experience with Nigerian Reinsurance Corporation and later with Industrial & General Insurance Co. Ltd as a company secretary and Legal Adviser, Mrs Ezeibe had been sufficiently seasoned to play her role later in her career as one of the foremost legal thinking heads of the Council and by extension, the entire insurance industry, fitting into the mould of the iconic insurance legal luminary, Prof. Joe Irukwu, SAN, of blessed memory.
Since it is good for every one to be prepared before his or her time, Mrs Ezeibe had a tailor-fit position for herself when she joined the NCRIB. Her forte in insurance law was lucid and indomitable as she contributed most significantly to laying a solid legal foundation for the Council through its well articulated Rules (referred to as the Blue Book), which remains like the Bible of Insurance Brokers till date.
Her roles as the Chairman Legal Committee was inimitable. It didn’t take much time before she became the entire insurance industry’s must-have when it comes to insurance law matters. From CIIN to ILAN to PILA to NIA and NAICOM, Mrs Ezeibe without any string attached assisted when her expertise was needed.
There is indeed no way the history of the much cherished Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA 2025), which is the finest piece of insurance legislation till date, would be told without her fundamental legal contributions from the scratch.
For Mrs Ekeoma Ezeibe, imparting knowledge comes to her naturally. She has continued to mentor younger generation of practitioners and continued to deliver lectures and handled empowerment series for insurance practitioners, pro-bono, with the focus and unselfish desire only to see the industry grow in its knowledge capability.
She is indeed one of the proudest products of the insurance industry as glaringly manifested in her sterling leadership of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), the leadership of which she had held effectively since inception. Having a strong feeling that she might not be able to combine the harduous task of the leadership of the Continental body with that of the Presidency of the NCRIB, Mrs Ezeibe’s desire to relinquish the position was received with stoic resistance by the NAICOM under the leadership of Mr Segun Omosein, the Commissioner for Insurance. The entire industry stood by Omosein. Gainfully to the industry and painfully to Mrs Ezeibe, her request was turned down. This is rare in any professional environment that is blessed by so many professionals with similar gifts and backgrounds. But what stands Mrs Ezeibe out is her stoic dedication and unwavering commitment to any task committed to her.
Always urbane, formal, prim and proper;Β but behind this fine image of a professional woman is a delectable and virtuous housewife, who is highly respectful and highly besorted toΒ her lovely husband and successful business lawyer, Mr Azu Ezeibe. She loves him with passion and their home definitely stand as an ideal specimen of marriage of two well- heeled professionals.
As she marks her 60th birthday today, the insurance industry is proud of the unifying factor that Mrs Ezeibe has become; the NCRIB is even prouder. Through her “One Insurance Industry” mantra, Ezeibe intends for the industry to speak with one voice and be more cohesive, believing that when we rise, we rise together; and if we fall, we fall together! Through some demonstrable steps taking since her assumption of office, it is as clear as night and day that Mrs Ezeibe has taken the mantra beyond rethorics, making it the barometer through which industry unity is currently viewed and pursued, to the delight of all.
The insurance industry and particularly members of the NCRIB sees this unique occasion as an opportunity to celebrate this icon of our practice and elegant lady as she takes a phenomenal stride into the prestigious league of three score years age bracket.