Religion, politics, alcohol, football….. They have something in common: the power of intoxication. Can you be intoxicated by what does not go inside of you? Alcohol can only “push” one who has gulped more quantity than necessary at a given time. The reasons for getting drunk shall not be adduced here. Religion, no matter how practised, is still a way of life. So, faith-leaders have the power of subtle coercion, and even manipulation especially of the gullible. For politics, that is, the monetized version, since poverty has been weaponized in the developing nations, the teeming population of the unemployed will always be available to do the bidding of their masters. Just a quick question: Why would somebody offer you money to vote for him/her to serve you? I will return to this shortly. The science, the beauty and the appeal of football leaves nothing to the imagination.
Politics in Nigeria is a legitimate process for “grabbing” power. An election is only a part of a political system. It is a means to an end and not an end in itself. However, politics in Nigeria is war. It is war among the participants on different political platforms; it is also war against non-political actors as the actions of the politicians affect every other citizen. The last general elections brought out the beast in most of us – politicians and non-politicians alike. We failed the simple test of unity. People suddenly realized our differences in language, business and culture and promoted cultural ethnocentrism and other primordial sentiments. If you had expected these uncivilized behaviours to emanate from the riff-raff then you are mistaken. Some of the supposed educated members of the society were not above such shenanigans. Have we forgotten that where there is mutual benefit there could be mutual nuisance?
We all have the inalienable right to ventilate our political views albeit within the approved ambit of the law, but as insurance practitioners and professionals, we must exercise some circumspection and not jump on the bandwagon at the least prompting. If our actions or inactions accentuate political rascality resulting in the loss of life and property, who pays the claims? Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is not only about money. One would have expected the insurance industry through the regulators or trade associations jointly or severally to issue a Statement condemning political violence, knowing full well that it is the industry that will make good the wanton destruction occasioned therefrom. Just keeping quiet and waiting for the claims to roll in is the best way to explain biting the nose to spite the face. The pen with which claims cheques are signed represents no political party, religion or place of birth.
When we recall what happened in the aftermath of the 27th January, 2002 bomb blasts in Lagos, we can be sure that when there is destruction of a collateral dimension, the industry will be prevailed upon to settle the ensuing claims without strictly interpreting the policies. In the above instance, the late Chief Oladipo Bailey (then the Commissioner for Insurance) implored insurers to settle the claims without considering the exclusion phrase: war or war-like situations. These same sentiments played out following the losses consequent upon the October 2020 ENDSARS Protests. I can bet on the unity of Nigeria that this protocol will continue. So, if we cannot prevent such mindless destructions especially the socially-and-politically-motivated ones, can we not issue Advisories when they appear imminent or condemn them when they take place?
Here is a reiteration of an earlier call for the establishment of an inter-industry Advisory Council that will be in constant liaison with non-insurance agencies, the public and the government. It be comprise a representative of the Commissioner for insurance and a representative each of the NIA, NCRIB, ILAN, CIIN and the insuring public. It can simply be called a LOBBY group. Members must be purged of anti-progressive sentiments. Our industry can only grow by addition and not by replacement. When we enjoy increased income because of improved rates and pay the same money out in claims following our indifference to hazards (and suffering when they become perils), we have not moved an inch. Politics is a zero-sum game; insurance is definitely not.
LAST LINE: The more you train in peace, the more you win in war, because it is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it… A military Statement.
