Insurance pioneer, Irukwu dies

One of the pioneer members of insurance in Nigeria, Prof. Joe Irukwu, died yesterday at 89.

This was disclosed in a statement by President-General, Amaokwe Item Welfare Union, Prince Harrison Eze Okorie,  on behalf of the Amaba Ukwu kindred and the immediate family.

Irukwu, a lawyer, lecturer, author and insurance guru, was the Founding Managing Director, Nigerian Reinsurance Corporation.

He founded the African Development Insurance Company which was afterwards sold to Diamond Bank.

Irukwu obtained a degree in Law and Insurance from a British university in 1962.

He was one of the leading lights in the African insurance landscape and was instrumental to the formation of bodies such as African insurance Organisation (AIO), West African insurance Association (WAICA) and more.

In Nigeria, he was a former Chairman, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), and President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN).

President, CIIN, Edwin Igbiti, said a hero had gone and his contributions would be greatly missed.

Irukwu is said to be the only Professor the institute had produced and he had greatly contributed to its growth and development.