CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS I am excited to relate with you once again on this platform since it was launched to bridge the gap in communication that ensued during the pandemic period when we had no or limited opportunities for physical meetings and interaction. With the deployment of our website, we were able to minimize the disruption in communication. We are pleased that we now have a full range of options for our communication needs. A lot has happened within our Association in the past period. We celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Association in July 2023, with all four branches gathering in Port Harcourt for a colorful ceremony. Another significant event was the election of a new Executive Committee for the Branch Association. We appreciate your confidence in us and will work hard to justify the trust you’ve placed in us. We also thank the previous Executive Committee for their commendable achievements during their tenure, especially under the challenging circumstances of the pandemic and subsequent lockdown. Some changes affecting us include the introduction of an online verification tool called I AM ALIVE, replacing the paper-based Certificate of Existence (CoE) form. Additionally, there have been changes in Health Management Organisations (HMO) aimed at improving service delivery for our members. We are grateful to our sponsor, Shell Nigeria Closed Pension Fund Administrator (SNCPFA), for their timely pension salary payments and for regularly sponsoring our Pensioners’ Day celebrations. Last year, we were able to celebrate twice, once in January and again in December, to address backlogs. There was also a one-time discretionary payment for all our pensioners. Given the current economic challenges, it’s crucial that we keep our communication channels open to receive feedback, enabling us to respond appropriately as situations evolve. We wish everyone good health and a positive, prosperous 2024.