By Favour NNABUGWU

Africa Reinsurance Corporation has taken the competition beyond the African continent with plans to be counted among the top reinsurers in the world.

The new drive of Africa Re was revealed to Vanguard by the new Managing Director of the corporation, Mr Corneille Karekezi in an interview at the send-forth party of Mr Bakary Kamara, immediate past chief executive officer of Africa Re.

Karekezi said that though his team would consolidate on the achievements of Mr Kamara but would take a step further to position the company among top ranked re insurers in the world.

He said, “Our plan is to take Africa Re to the same level where the mega reinsurance companies are in the world in terms of performance, operations, risk management and all that.

“We will improve the reputation, corporate brand and further enhance our service delivery of Africa Re.

“I am coming in as the new MD after a two-year transition under Mr Kamara’s tutorials and I was also a member of the board of Africa Re seven years ago hence have been part of the success story of Africa Re.”

Kamara on his part, praised Karekezi as he confirmed that the new team had worked with him for two years and were fully ready for the challenges ahead.

He was confident that Karekezi and Mr Ken Aghoghovbia, the new Deputy Managing Director, will indeed pilot the corporation to the next level.

However, insurance chieftains who graced the occasion said the appointment of Aghoghovbia who is a Nigerian, as the Deputy Managing Director of Africa Re, has rekindled the hope of other members of staff who hitherto believed they had no future in the company as Nigerians.

Mr Fatai Lawal, Managing Director of Sterling Assurance Company said Aghoghovbia started his career with Africa Re over 25 years ago and grew through the ranks to his new position, adding that Aghoghovbia had done credibly well for Africa Re.

According to him: “Ken has helped to build the confidence of Nigerian insurance market in Africa Re.”

Mr. Godwin Wiggle, Managing Director of Linkage Assurance Plc told Vanguard that Aghoghovbia had been a salesman of Africa Re not only to the Nigerian market but to the West African market and beyond.

“Ken is the driving force for us in Nigeria to really see Africa Re in a better perspective and with his position as Africa Re’s DMD, he is going to energise the markets more for Africa Re.”