Christmas: ANLCA President Calls on Customs Agents, Others to Promote Christlike Love
NWABUNIKE
*Says Lekki deep seaport big opportunity for freight forwarders
*Advises practitioners to avoid duty evasion, sharp practices
By Francis Ugwoke
The National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Iju Tony Nwabunike, has called on members of the association and all customs agents to promote Christlike love among themselves.
Nwabunike in his Christmas message said his wish was for “all Nigerian custom brokers, freight forwarders, haulage operators and ancillary service providers in the total logistics chain embrace the messages embedded in Christ’s birth and lifestyle”.
He said, “December 25 is commemorated as birthday of Christ, lets not forget Him as we celebrate. He has directed us to be givers. This is a season of charity. Let’s give as much as we can to the less privileged. Let’s give sincerely in service to humanity, let’s spread happiness from our workplaces to our homes, communities and nation at large”.
He added, “I urge all our colleagues and friends to promote love amongst themselves and with other stakeholders in the maritime industry. Where there is love, our capacity to forgive shortcomings even without apologies will expand for love covers multitude of sins( 1 Peter 4:8) It is from this promotion of Christlike love that the virtue of selfless service and helping others without expecting reward can flow ceaselessly Our professional functions touches strongly on collection of government revenue and facilitating trade”.
Nwabunike described customs agents as unsung and strategic partners with government agencies such as Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) and many others, adding that the “attainment and sustaining of over a trillion naira revenue collection by the NCS could not have been possible without the cooperation of licenced customs agents and freight forwarders”.
He added, “Let’s bear in mind that as we move cargoes, so are we moving the national economy forward while advancing the cause of international trade, supporting productivity and creating sustainable employments. In remembering that Christ taught us tax payment (Matt.17:27) by miraculously causing cash to be obtained from a fish mouth to pay tax – giving to Ceasar what belongs to Ceasar, I urge us to pay our custom duties accurately, avoid duty evasion and any sharp practice that undermines federal government drive for more none oil revenue. The reality that oil revenue alone cannot sustain our country is dawn on us. Singapore has become the maritime capital of the world since 2015 and Nigeria can become the topmost maritime destination in Africa. We generate the highest cargo throughput with a commanding population of over 200 million. The rise of Singapore is an inspiration to emerging economies like Nigeria. Let’s all contribute to attaining and surpassing the Singaporean feats for ourselves and generations yet unborn Becoming a hub port is realisable to serve our needs, serve others like Niger, Chad and other proximate countries”.
The ANLCA President who has been away in the United States where he is undertaking a crucial management course in the past six months said with the coming of Lekki Deep Seaport, the Nigerian customs broker was at a “vantage professional position to unearth the numerous benefits derivable from this economic facility”.
He added, “I am aware that the port will be Nigeria’s first fully automated deep seaport with most modern ship to shore cargo handling facilities, close to a free zone serving as a manufacturing hub within same environment with a refinery. This is many opportunities rolled in one space for us as importers, exporters, transporters and traders. This automation underscores the need for customs brokers to improve their knowledge like I have always emphasised.
“Knowledge and ICT backed skills will help us function better in an automated port environment”.
Ends.
*Advises practitioners to avoid duty evasion, sharp practices
By Francis Ugwoke
The National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Iju Tony Nwabunike, has called on members of the association and all customs agents to promote Christlike love among themselves.
Nwabunike in his Christmas message said his wish was for “all Nigerian custom brokers, freight forwarders, haulage operators and ancillary service providers in the total logistics chain embrace the messages embedded in Christ’s birth and lifestyle”.
He said, “December 25 is commemorated as birthday of Christ, lets not forget Him as we celebrate. He has directed us to be givers. This is a season of charity. Let’s give as much as we can to the less privileged. Let’s give sincerely in service to humanity, let’s spread happiness from our workplaces to our homes, communities and nation at large”.
He added, “I urge all our colleagues and friends to promote love amongst themselves and with other stakeholders in the maritime industry. Where there is love, our capacity to forgive shortcomings even without apologies will expand for love covers multitude of sins( 1 Peter 4:8) It is from this promotion of Christlike love that the virtue of selfless service and helping others without expecting reward can flow ceaselessly Our professional functions touches strongly on collection of government revenue and facilitating trade”.
Nwabunike described customs agents as unsung and strategic partners with government agencies such as Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) and many others, adding that the “attainment and sustaining of over a trillion naira revenue collection by the NCS could not have been possible without the cooperation of licenced customs agents and freight forwarders”.
He added, “Let’s bear in mind that as we move cargoes, so are we moving the national economy forward while advancing the cause of international trade, supporting productivity and creating sustainable employments. In remembering that Christ taught us tax payment (Matt.17:27) by miraculously causing cash to be obtained from a fish mouth to pay tax – giving to Ceasar what belongs to Ceasar, I urge us to pay our custom duties accurately, avoid duty evasion and any sharp practice that undermines federal government drive for more none oil revenue. The reality that oil revenue alone cannot sustain our country is dawn on us. Singapore has become the maritime capital of the world since 2015 and Nigeria can become the topmost maritime destination in Africa. We generate the highest cargo throughput with a commanding population of over 200 million. The rise of Singapore is an inspiration to emerging economies like Nigeria. Let’s all contribute to attaining and surpassing the Singaporean feats for ourselves and generations yet unborn Becoming a hub port is realisable to serve our needs, serve others like Niger, Chad and other proximate countries”.
The ANLCA President who has been away in the United States where he is undertaking a crucial management course in the past six months said with the coming of Lekki Deep Seaport, the Nigerian customs broker was at a “vantage professional position to unearth the numerous benefits derivable from this economic facility”.
He added, “I am aware that the port will be Nigeria’s first fully automated deep seaport with most modern ship to shore cargo handling facilities, close to a free zone serving as a manufacturing hub within same environment with a refinery. This is many opportunities rolled in one space for us as importers, exporters, transporters and traders. This automation underscores the need for customs brokers to improve their knowledge like I have always emphasised.
“Knowledge and ICT backed skills will help us function better in an automated port environment”.
Ends.
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