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Articles by Raphael Innocent
2027: Iyamu pledges to drive laws to improve welfare of journalists
Dr Paddy Iyamu, All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 House of Representatives Candidate for Oredo Federal Constituency has pledged to propose bills to improve the welfare of journalists. Iyamu, former Edo Commissioner for Education, made the pledge on Tuesday when he visited the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Benin.
Oba of Benin marks 10th coronation anniversary with durbar
By Raphael Innocent and Imelda Osayande The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, on Saturday hosted a durbar and luncheon at Garrick Memorial School grounds in Benin, as part of activities marking his 10th coronation anniversary. The event featured horse riding and cultural displays, celebrating the history and traditions of the Benin Kingdom, with traditional rulers and other dignitaries attending the occasion.
Oluku market fire: residents count losses as death toll remains unconfirmed
Traders and residents affected by Thursday’s petrol tanker fire at Oluku Market in Benin are counting their losses after the inferno destroyed shops and nearby buildings. It was reported that the fire started after a petrol tanker fell while attempting a U-turn near the market, spilling fuel onto the road and adjoining drainage channels. Several people were feared dead, while 10 injured victims were taken to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for treatment.
Benin market fire: Residents count losses as death toll remains unconfirmed
By Raphael Innocent Traders and residents affected by Thursday’s petrol tanker fire at Oluku Market in Benin city, Edo State, are counting their losses after the inferno destroyed shops and nearby buildings. The fire started after a petrol tanker fell while attempting a U-turn near the market, spilling fuel onto the road and adjoining drainage channels. Several people were feared dead, while 10 injured victims were taken to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for treatment.
Passengers decry faulty baggage, body scanners at Benin Airport
News Express | 26th May 2026 | 144 By RAPHAEL INNOCENT Passengers flying from the Benin Airport in Edo on Monday, expressed concerns over the physical search conducted at the airport on passengers because the scanners are faulty. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the scanners, according to workers, who spoke on grounds of anonymity, had not worked for a long time, forcing officials to resort to frisking of passengers.
FG pays N15bn premium for employees’ Group Life Insurance
By Raphael Innocent Reports have affirmed that the federal government has fully paid the premium for its employees’ Group Life Insurance cover for the year 2020. This development was made public by Vice President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mr Tunde Oguntade.
AIICO’s gross written premium rose by 26% to N31.9bn in H1 2020
By Raphael Innocent AIICO Insurance Plc has reported a Gross Written Premium (GWP) of N31.9 billion as at June 2020, which signifies a 26 per cent increase, compared to N25.4 billion recorded in comparative period of 2019. A statement made available by the firm in Lagos on Monday said that the growth was driven by sustained positive performance across the major lines of business of the Group.
Western Union, AXA partner on Insurance
By Raphael Innocent The insurance company AXA has collaborated in partnership with financial service provider Western Union in order to provide insurance services to customers who use the service of the company. According to a statement, the partnership was to provide better cover for migrant workers who use the money transfer service and their families in their home country.
NAICOM, Shippers Coucil partner on ease of doing Business
By Raphael Innocent In a recent development, the Nigeria Shippers council (NNSC) and the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) have recently collaborated on steps to be be taken to reduce the cost of doing business through the introduction of insurance cover on containers as well as managing risks at the various sea ports. In a courtesy visit to the management of NAICOM, the Executive Secretary, NSC, Hassan Bello, made this known.
Four new insurance firms set for licensing — NAICOM - Nigerian NewsDirect
By Raphael Innocent The National Insurance commission (NAICOM ) after over 10 years of placing an embargo on the licensing of new insurance underwriting firms, at the weekend announced that it has received applications from four insurance firms seeking to obtain licenses of operation in Nigeria.
Buhari appoints deputy commissioners for NAICOM
By Raphael Innocent President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointments of Alhaji Sabiu Abubakar and Mr. Oba Oluniyi as Deputy Commissioners for Insurance, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM). The Commission confirmed the appointment in a statement on Monday in Lagos. It said Abubakar was appointed as the Deputy Commissioner, Technical, while Oluniyi would serve as the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Finance and Administration in the Commission.
NAICOM to establish training academy
By Raphael Innocent In a statement by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), there are plans ongoing to set up an institution named NAICOM Academy which will be tasked with providing necessary training for insurance regulators across West Africa. This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Sunday Thomas during the investiture of Muftau Oyegunle as the 50th president of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN).
Airforce faults speculations on first female combat pilot’s death - Nigerian NewsDirect
….Hand over three suspects to Police for investigation By Raphael Innocent The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has clarified speculations on the death of the first female combat helicopter fighter pilot Flying. Officer Tolulope Arotile and referred the three civilians in the SUV car that killed her to Nigeria Police Force for further investigation.
Digital technology: way forward for inclusive insurance — Western Union CEO - Nigerian NewsDirect
By Raphael Innocent The President and Chief Executive Officer, Western Union, a payment company, Hikmet Ersek, has decried the poor level of insurance penetration in Nigeria. while, suggesting that greater investment be made in the acquisition and deployment of contemporary technology to address inclusive insurance.
COVID-19 pandemic has made Insurance industry adopt digital exams, trainings —Outgoing President, CIIN - Nigerian NewsDirect
By Raphael Innocent The outgoing president of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mr. Eddie Efekoha, has stated that the possibility of exploring digital means of writing professional examinations is been considered by the College of Insurance and Financial management (CIFM) and the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN).
Prestige Assurance to raise N6.8bn in rights issue
By Raphael Innocent Prestige Assurance is set to raise N6,817,898,003 through the issue of 13,635,796,006 shares at N.50 kobo per share, to meet up with regulatory requirements and enhance its business operations. The insurance firm disclosed this at the signing of its proposed Rights Issue on the 7th of July, 2020.
Overuse of the air conditioner; not advisable for all seasons
By Raphael Innocent Whilst it is a very well known fact that the Air Conditioner known commonly as AC has been able to show over the years that it is a masterpiece of an upgrade to the conventional electric standing fans or ceiling fans in seasons of heat, it has been observed that many users of it have become so accustomed to the invention such that even in the rainy seasons of intense cold, they don’t just feel like turning it off.
Minister, Senate Committee on labour clash over 774,000 proposed recruitment
By Raphael Innocent Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo and senate committee on labour on Tuesday clashed over a committee meeting on the allocation of N52billion for the creation of 774,000 jobs for Nigerians. Keyamo has revealed that lawmakers were trying to influence, who to be employed in the temporary work scheme as he cleared the air on what led to the row with the legislators.
Obaseki the Transformer @ 63
By Raphael Innocent Mr. Godwin Obaseki came into the limelight of discussion in Nigerian politics most recently. The sitting governor of Edo State has been the talk of the nation in the past few weeks now. One would want to ask what would have been the grand factor spurring this popularity. It is apparently anchored on the struggle that transformers have to fight to drive change for the good of all.
Osun threatens fresh lockdown as state records 22 new coronavirus cases
The Osun State Government on Friday confirmed the discovery of 22 new COVID-19 cases in the state. Making a statement after the discovery of 22 new cases, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Rafiu Isamotu, noted that the government might be forced to impose another lockdown on the state if residents and citizens continue to flout the lockdown relaxation guidelines. Isamotu stated this in a press statement in Osogbo on Friday.
Ajimobi’s death, great loss to Yoruba, says Ooni
The traditional head of Ife (Ooni of Ife), Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, yesterday joined other Nigerians to mourn the immediate past governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who passed away on Thursday evening in Lagos. While the Ooni described the death of the ex-governor as a great loss to the Yoruba race, the Olubadan said “words are not enough to describe the untimely exit’ of an illustrious son and Aare of Ibadan land.
BREAKING: Oshiomhole accepts sack of APC NWC, pledges loyalty to Buhari
Suspended National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Adams Oshiomhole, on Saturday reacted to the dissolution of the party’s National Working Committee, NWC. Oshiomhole said he has accepted the decision of the party’s National Executive Council, NEC. Addressing journalists on Saturday, Oshiomhole also disclosed that he has directed his lawyers to withdraw all court cases. The suspended National Chairman assured that he remains loyal to the party and President Muhammadu Buhari.
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