VON’s Onyemihia wins 2021 Pan-African Re-Insurance Journalism Award 

The Continental Reinsurance PlC has announced its 6th Pan-African Re-insurance Journalism Awards 2021 winners.

Multiple Award winning Voice of Nigeria’s Destiny Onyemihia, emerged second best Re/Insurance Broadcast TV/Radio Article English for writing on Cyber Security: An Imperative for Insurance Companies.

Two other Nigerians Tunde Ajaja, of Punch Newspaper and Chuks Okonta of Inspenonline Limited bagged the third prize awards for reporting on EndSars Violence in Nigeria and Insurers moving beyond claims settlements amid Covid-19 respectively.

Other winners were Kenya’s Patrick Alushula who emerged first in the best Re/Insurance Print Article Award while Beldeen Waliaula also from Kenya came third in the same category.

Uganda’s Nelson Mandela emerged second for reporting on micro insurance pivotal in enabling growth of SMEs while South Africa’s Londiwe Buthelezi won the best Re/Insurance Online Article Award for reporting the economy and insurance disaster: the lockdown claims case that shook an industry.

Felix Klutse won the second prize award for reporting Ghana’s Insurance sector in line with global best practices. Also a Ghanaian, Anass Sabit won the Future Talent Award for Reporting and Covid-19 Pandemic Battling Absence of Water in Atebubu amidst outbreak amongst others.

The Pan-African Re/Insurance Journalism Award 2021 had 100 entries across 16 African Countries. Sixty-six entries were shortlisted and assessed on set criteria, including raising awareness on a current news story or other noteworthy insurance issue.

The Chair of the judging panel, Michael Wilson said; “We were inspired by the diversity in the reporting showcasing varied angles on the subject of insurance.

”We reviewed entries that connected with the audience in exciting and balanced ways. We encourage all who participated to continue carrying the message of insurance as this will, over time, positively change the trajectory of the insurance subject.”

The newly-installed Group Managing Director, Continental Reinsurance Plc, Lawrence Nazare said;
“Currently, insurance penetration ranges between one and three percent in most African countries. But this is a sector on the up and the subject is gaining appreciation. As industry players, we have the responsibility to encourage and inspire journalists to report on insurance.”

The winners will receive an exclusive year-long mentorship to develop their insurance sector reporting skills further. This is in addition to cash prizes and attendance at the next Continental Re’s CEO summit, health situation and government restrictions permitting.

The 2021 Pan-African Reinsurance Journalism Awards show was hosted online by Michael Wilson, the chairman of the judging panel.

Mercy Chukwdiebere