When Sir (Dr) Justus Uranta bowed out of office as Managing Director/CEO of Niger Insurance Plc on December 31, 2012 after 35 years of distinguished and chequered service to the insurance industry in Nigeria, the market bowed in honour of an ICON who Came, Saw and Conquered.
A quintessential chartered insurer of repute, Uranta traversed the insurance landscape in Nigeria on his meteoric rise from the rungs of the ladder to the zenith of his career.
Popularly called ‘JC’ by his peers and admirers, within and outside the insurance industry, Uranta left an indelible mark of professionalism, transparency and service to humanity.
The Road to Greatness
Sages believe that the height attained by a man is not by sudden flight!
A product of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Chartered Insurance Institute of London; Delta State University (MBA) and St. Clements University, Austria, where he bagged a PH.D in Business Management, Uranta remains a firm believer in the sanctity of quality education for a greater achievement in life. Hence, he burnt the Midnight Candles to pave the way for a better future.
Daily Improvement Maketh a Man
In the course of scaling the corporate ladder in the past 35 years, JC passed through the hallowed halls of prestigious centres of learning to immerse himself more in the knowledge of his chosen profession in the spirit of continous improvement and also set himself apart for future corporate and national challenges.
Some of these courses, locations and dates include:
Â
ü CORPORATE GOVERNANCE-UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A.               2008
ü UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA BUSINESS SCHOOL- ATLANTA, U.S.A.                          2006
ü LAGOS BUSINESS SCHOOL, LAGOS, NIGERIA                                                 2002
ü UNIVERSITY OF BACELONA, SPAIN                                                                                     2002
ü MANAGEMENT IN THE NEW MILLENIUM, LONDON                                 2000
ü REINSURANCE FACILITATION, ZURICH                                                                            1996
ü GENERAL INSURANCE, ITALY                                                                                               1994
Â
Journey Through Insurance Industry
For 35 years, JC served the insurance industry in various capacities in various corporate organizations. At the end of the journey, the market agreed that JC indeed paid his dues in the industry.
a)   NIGER INSURANCE PLC                                     JAN. ’06-DEC. 2012        MD/CEO
b)   NIGER INSURANCE PLC                                     1998 –2005                    EXEC. DIRECTOR (TECHNICAL)
c)   NICON INSURANCE CORP.                                1990-1998             AGM (OIL & GAS)
d)  VERITAS INSURANCE CO. LTD                         1988 – 1990                GENERAL MANAGER/CEO
e)  BCM INSURANCE BROKERS. LTD.                   1980-1981             MARKETING MANAGER
f)   UNITY LIFE & FIRE INS. CO. LTD.                     1978-1980           SUPERINTENDENT
g)Â Â FEDERAL MINISTRY OF TRADE (NAICOM)Â Â Â 1977-1980Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â ASSISTANT OFFICER
Â
Â
BOARD MEMBERSHIP:-
a)Â Â Â Â Â Â NIGER INSURANCE PLC
b)Â Â Â Â Â Â NIC PROPERTIES LTD.
c)Â Â Â Â Â Â GLOBE REINSURANCE CO. LTD (ALTERNATE)
d)Â Â Â Â Â NIC SECURITIES & TRUST LTD.
e)Â Â Â Â Â Â BETA GLASS INDUSTRIES
f)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â UNION ASSURANCE CO. LTD.
g)Â Â Â Â Â Â EXPRESS DISCOUNT LTD.
h)Â Â Â Â Â TRUSTFUND PENSIONS PLC
i)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â PROFUND SECURITITES NIG. LTD
Â
Â
FELLOWSHIP AWARDS:
(i)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â CHARTERED INSURANCE INSTITUTE OF NIGERIAÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2004Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â FIIN
(ii)          NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MKTING OF NIG.                     2005                                      FNIMN
(iii)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENTÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2005Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â FNIM
(iv)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF MGT. CONSULTANTS Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2006Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â FNIMC
(V)         CERTIFIED INSTITUTE OF COST MGT OF NIG.                 2008                                      FCICMN
(VI)        ASSOCIATION OF PENSION FUNDS OF NIG.                     2009                                      FAPFN
OTHERS:-
a)Â Â COUNCIL MEMBER –Â Â CHARTERED INSURANCE INSTITUTE OF NIGERIA
b)Â Â VICE CHAIRMANÂ Â Â –Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â WEST AFRICAN INSURANCE INSTITUTE [WAII] GAMBIA
c)Â Â Â ALUMNUSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â –Â Â LAGOS BUSINESS SCHOOL (AMPIO 2001)
d)Â Â Â FSS 2020 COMMITTEE MEMBER [INSURANCE SECTOR]
Commitment to Community Development:
In the course of his exemplary career, JC has impacted positively on his immediate community (Queenstown Opobo, Opobo/Nkoro LGA, Rivers State) through provision of various empowerment projects to support the growth of the next generation. Some of these projects include:
- Establishment of Secondary School in Queenstown, OPOBO
- Construction of Six [6] Room Public Convenience in Same LOCALITY
- Part Renovation of ST. John’s Anglican Church in Queenstown, OPOBO
- Award of Scholarships for Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Institutions
Â
A Worthy Knight!
As a Mark of Honour, the title of KNIGHT OF ST. CHRISTOPHER (KSC) was eminently bestowed on him to recognize his sterling qualities and contribution to humanity.
Looking into the Future
A man given to service, Uranta has closed One Chapter in his life and is ready to open a New Chapter in service to Man & Country!
Dr. Justus Uranta (2nd from left) receives a meritorious award from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in Lagos.
