Okechukwu Chukwulozie: A Thoroughbred
Okechukwu Emmanuel Chukwulozie, managing director and chief executive officer, African Prudential Insurance Company Limited, is a thoroughbred insurance professional who has put in over 20 years experience in the industry, including seven at APICO. His mandate at APICO is rendering top quality services to its customers. In this way APICO is contributing its quota to the development of the country's economy.
Chukwulozie says he has made APICO better. He is pleased that APICO is not only a common name in Nigeria today but is well respected in the industry because of its belief in excellence. Chukwulozie attributes the achievement to the whole team from the directors to the lower ranks. He says " anyone who has had an interest in the company is now proud to be associated with it. Our achievement stems from the fact that we have as our directors, reliable and respected men in society who are successful in their respective careers. They have worked very hard to get to their present heights as chairmen of very successful companies, banks, legal firms and industries, and with such respectable gentlemen with valuable experience in business, one could not expect anything short of success."
This success is noteworthy given Chukwulozie's assertion that to "manage an insurance company in a rough economy like ours is tedious especially where the awareness of insurance is low. In a depressed situation like ours, you have to sharpen your wits to get going. It has not been easy, but we are still moving." APICO has moved from its troubled days when Chukwulozie took over to its current respectable position as one of the best in the industry. APICO continues to build a bridge of peace of mind and continuity in business for its valued customers by offering quality products that pool the risks off their clients and provide some kind of cover from adversity. The company also maintains excellent customers relationship through prompt settlement of genuine claims.
The APICO CEO supports guided privatisation but says "it has to be monitored because not everybody is straight, somebody somewhere can hijack it. There is absolute need to privatise, it is the best way out but it has to be guided." Those who invest their money in these ventures will protect their money by employing the right people and removing dead woods.
He believes that there is no need for the dual exchange rate system because it is discriminatory. Besides, he argue, dual exchange rate is open to abuse and adversely affects the strength of the naira. Chukwulozie, a graduate of law from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, is also an associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute, London and Chartered Insurers. He is a fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute, London. He is the president of the Rotary Club, Victoria Island, East, for the 1997/1998 year. His philosophy is "do unto others what you will like them do unto you." He relaxes playing golf, tennis and listening to music.
Newswatch June 29, 1998
" Newswatch 1998