L-R: Faith Nwachi, Chief Operating Officer, SUNU Health Nigeria Limited; Olusegun Oginni, Chief Finance Officer, SUNU Assurance Nigeria Plc; Eli Ogounigni, Executive Director, SUNU Assurance Nigeria Plc; Samuel Adedoyin, Chairman, Audit and Compliance Committee; John Okoriya, Pastor, Divine Practitioner and St. Luke Catholic Pastoral Centre, LUT/CMUL, Idi Araba, Lagos; Samuel Ogbodu, Chief Executive Officer/MD, SUNU Assurance Nigeria Plc; Japari Yusuf, Head, Corporate Services, SUNU Assurance Nigeria Plc; Robert Iwuji, Head, Business Development, SUNU Assurance Nigeria Plc, during the Remembrance Service in honor of the Divine Physician and Founder of SUNU Group at St. Luke Catholic Chaplaincy Centre, LUTH/CMUL, Idi Araba, Lagos.
The legacies of the late Pathé Dion, founder of SUNU Group, live on three years after his passing, as his business exploits in 16 African countries bear witness.
From across the continent, employees and partners gathered in churches and mosques to mark the third anniversary of his passing and celebrate his footprint in the African business ecosystem.
Across Nigeria and across the other 16 African countries where the group operates, SUNU staff gathered dressed in white at Christian services for thanksgiving services and special prayers, while Muslim faithful also offered prayers, all united in gratitude for the life, vision and influence of the late insurance icon.
Speaking at the event, Managing Director/CEO of SUNU Assurance Nigeria Plc, Samuel Ogbodu, said the continued remembrance of the founder was inspired by the depth of his humanity and his lifelong passion for the development of Africa.
Ogbodu said, “The founder was a lovely man, extremely passionate about humanity. He showed so much love that we felt obliged to respond to him.” He strongly believed that Africa should be developed economically, and that is why all SUNU offices are located in Africa, creating jobs and putting food on people's tables.
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According to him, thousands of families across the continent are benefiting from the founder's vision, making it imperative for employees to honor his memory year after year.
He said, “So many people have been able to meet their worldly needs through his efforts. Many feed off the sweat of the man, his mission and vision. That is why we are obliged to remember him annually as a sign of appreciation.”
On maintaining the legacy of the founder, Ogbodu said the current management is committed to expanding the SUNU footprint across Africa and strengthening the financial performance of the group.
He said, “We feel compelled to carry forward his vision, which is to establish insurance companies across Africa. Since his passing, a new company has been established in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and efforts are ongoing to open offices in other African countries.”
He said that beyond geographical expansion, the management is focused on growing the business in terms of gross premiums written, profit before tax and profit after tax, while investing heavily in people development.
On the recapitalization, which he described as crucial to sustaining the founder’s vision in Nigeria, the CEO of SUNU Assurance reaffirmed the group’s commitment to meeting the requirements set by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).
He recalled that the founder's first son and successor had publicly assured stakeholders of his resolve to recapitalize the group, and stressed that the promise would remain intact.
Executive Director, Controls and Risk Management, SUNU Assurance Nigeria, and Regional Manager of Anglophone Subsidiaries of SUNU Group, Eli Ogounigni, described the late founder as an institution builder whose approach was deliberately designed to survive them.
Ogounigni said, “The founders remain unforgettable even three years after their passing. In many cases, memories fade after a year or two, but that's not the case here.”
He said, “He created an organization that was not just for his family. While his children could benefit from it, the company was structured to last beyond them. He built a business that was designed to endure.”
