Speech by Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi Group Chairman, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc At The 28th Year Thanksgiving Service On Saturday, 20th January, 2024 Held At 10 Degrees Events Centre, A2 Billings Way, Oregun Industrial Estate, Ikeja, Lagos.
Theme:
The Lord Our Helper: Hebrews 13 vs 6.
Song:
E ba wa yin Oluwa, Alleluia!
Eni ba m’ore JESU, ko ba wa gbega
E ba wa yin Oluwa, Alleluia!
E ni ba m’ore JESU, Ko ba wa gbega.
Let me start with this quotation from the Bible, Psalm 103 verses 1 and 2:
“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits”
Last year, 2023, was indeed pivotal in the history of our dear organisation, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc. With the help of the Almighty GOD, we scaled over formidable hurdles; and mighty obstacles, but the ONE who epitomizes ultimate power helped us. We have rebounded. Today, we are healthier and better. I want to assure you that we have indeed started this year, 2024, on the impressive note of tremendous progress and rejuvenated energy.
On behalf of myself and my dear wife, I am here today to say thank you, first and foremost to the Almighty GOD and then, to my colleagues on the board, the management and of course, my real family members, respected staff members of Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc and their families.
Colleagues, I am glad to report that when our resilience was tested, the purpose of this great organisation, defined us. Faith in GOD kept us. Hope and reliance on dedicated and committed team members gave us confidence. Your love, solidarity and cooperation indeed, gave us courage, inspired and energized us.
The same way, Aaron and Hur held up the hands of Moses when they were heavy, my team members “stayed up my hands” and we prevailed.
Whenever I reflect on 2023, I am filled with pride in Mutual Benefits’ ingenuity and ability to effectively solve problems and take smart decisions. We are change makers and always ready to blast through glass ceilings to inspire, empower and connect with our customers in order to deliver highly beneficial values.
Unlike most companies, we always go the extra mile for our customers. We are very mindful of the high inflation in our economy and its effects on the lives and livelihood of our dear customers. It is a fact that consumers are indeed feeling the pinch but Mutual Benefits will always make sure they have value for the purchases of our highly beneficial insurance services and allied products.
Customers should know that we provide value options at different premium levels to enable you choose the most appealing and affordable. For instance, for vehicle insurance, we have different premium levels for the third party, the third party-plus and of course, the comprehensive insurance policy. We have differentiating offerings in each category and therefore fix premiums that will resonate with each segment.
Mutual Benefits’ customers are very important partners and so, from time to time, we even absorb some costs on packages with appreciable discounted anchor prices.
Our company has been distinguishing itself with services that are of immense beneficial values and that was why we were deservedly adjudged Africa’s Most Innovative Company by the African Reinsurance Corporation. We will always be upfront in doing our best and transparently communicating the intrinsic and extrinsic values of our offerings.
This company will continue to leverage what we do best. That is, transforming brilliant ideas to beneficial values for our highly esteemed customers, employees and other stakeholders. We are a group of companies with an unyielding drive for excellence which is sustained through creativity and transformational innovation. We craft our values within an entrepreneurial framework and we work very hard and also listen attentively (with the necessary diligence) to the dynamics of the market. We therefore, always deliver services that cater optimally to customers’ individual lives and businesses. We support our partners and we always stand as a very useful friend-in-need to our loyal customers.
I want to assure our partners and other stakeholders, that no matter how uncertain and challenging the economic situation maybe, Mutual Benefits will remain stable, strong and prosperous. However, we have more work to do. We are irrevocably committed to further deepening insurance penetration and we will (with every sense of responsibility) deliver beneficial wealth creating values to doorsteps in Nigeria, Liberia, Niger Republic and beyond. Our highly beneficial values to customers will forever remain unequalled. We will sustain our competitive advantage and never relent in differentiating Mutual Benefits with unique attributes.
Please tell our customers, partners and other stakeholders to continue to keep faith with us and our unique deliverables. They must always make that fundamental choice of patronizing our services. These services will always add value to their lives and businesses. Also, Mutual Benefits will always be on the driver’s seat of genuine efforts to move Nigeria’s economy forward in spite of the various gridlocks. We definitely have solutions to challenging problems and our customers will always be our champions. We desire your commitment and loyalty because we will always listen to you and serve you.
My fellow directors, partners and colleagues, your enduring and unflinching support, has made me a better captain. I have over the years, gained more brothers and sisters.
Mutual Benefits is already great but will be greater. We are already strong but we will be stronger. We are thoroughbred professionals with top-of-the-range skills and competencies. We will never slow down on our commitment to excellent and highly beneficial values. We will never be afraid of challenges because we have the never-failing backing of the all-sufficient GOD.
I challenge our dedicated and hardworking employees (our always dependable associates) to rev-up their optimism. You all have embarked on incredible career journeys with us. There will always be room at the top for you. Your company will continue to provide gainful employment and fill vacant positions whenever the needs arise.
Do you know that the only outcome of our absolute dependence on the Most High GOD is that HE will continue to lead us, teach us and direct us. HE will continue to defend us, show us mercy and always bless us.
Thank you all for listening. Happy 28th Thanksgiving celebration, Happy New Year and GOD bless you all.
