Peterside, Mustapha, Nwokeoji Preach Unity, Tolerance, Peace at ANLCA Executive Inauguration
NWOKEOJI
* Nwabunike, Farinto, Njoku, Obi others absent at inauguration
By Francis Ugwoke
Former Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr Dakuku Peterside, preached for unity and tolerance among members of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) as the best for the progress of the body and the industry.
Peterside who was the Chairman of the occasion for the inauguration of the new executive of the association after the election of Chief Emenike Nwokeoji as the President in Lagos on Thursday enjoined every member of the association to be tolerant and work for unity by being a ‘bunch of a group’.
He said that this was the only way to make the association stronger and achieve the objective for which it was established.
The former NIMASA DG advised the new President to shun tribalism, selfishness and address the interest and welfare of members.
According to him, the only and easiest way to earn the trust of members was by being honest and maintaining an open door policy as a leader.
He said, “You must have the trust and understanding of members of this association, it is when we are honest, humble, and accommodating when we don’t know the difference between South East, South West, North, South-South, we treat everyone equally, that is when you can earn our respect and trust, we would give them to you and you shall succeed”.
Dakuku also called on the management of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to support ANLCA, adding that the both have a lot in common.
According to him, the partnership between ANLCA and customs is “like a marriage that can never be divorced. As for Customs, ANLCA is your wife in this marriage, and you must be a good husband, support them, and make concessions where you need to.
“Your regulatory powers do not mean you should suppress them, it means you should encourage them to succeed.”
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Association, Alhaji Taiwo, Mustapha, in his speech said the ugly events in the association cannot be repeated.
Mustapha said the association has suffered enough, adding that the new administration has come to repair whatever was wrong.
Noting that ego was one of the problems in the association, he assured that this should be a thing of the past.
In his speech, the National President of ANLCA, Nwokeoji called on members for cooperation to achieve the best reunification in the association.
Nwokeoji said it was time for all in the association to come together to chart a new course of relevance for our association.
He said this was for the “benefits of our long suffering members, for our nation Nigeria and for humanity’s sake”.
Part of this address on the occasion reads: “In truth, I have been National Vice President for two tenures before (2010 – 2018). I had contested and lost elections in 2018 to be the National President. But, in truth also, I never hesitated in congratulating the declared winner.
“Importantly, 5 years plus, after our misunderstanding in ANLCA, it is time to come together to chart a new course of relevance for our association, for the benefits of our long suffering members, for our Nation Nigerian and for humanity’s sake.
“It is in the light of this that I, and other members of my executive, seek the support of you – our mutual and common-stakeholders, in the pursuit of a mutually beneficial collaboration and partnership, in this arduous, but not impossible, task of leading ANLCA back to National and International reckoning.
“We intend to hereafter reach out to all the stakeholders to synergize on issues bordering on the advancement of the Maritime and Aviation industry, and infact, on National Policy issues as it affects our subsector, in order to present a formidable, common front.
“To ANLCA members, I must thank all of you for your resilience, perserverance, understanding and patience, during the crisis, so much so, that you never fell for the cajoling of other associations to join them, by departing ANLCA for their’s.
To my Vice President – Prince Segun Oduntan, you’ve remained a reliable, dependable and trusted ally. I feel you.
“To the Women in ANLCA (the ANLCA angels), you deserve my special accolade at the appropriate time. Your steadfast love, commitment, dedication and sacrifice will not go unrewarded by the grace of the God we serve. The entire NECOM is eternally grateful and proud of you.
“The NECOM election at Federal Palace Hotel was lost by both contending parties but, won by all ANLCA members.
“Building on our Restoration mantra, we have done so much within so short a period in stabilising the ship of our great Association. Peace and unity is most paramount than ever before.
“After years of doldrums, we should avoid divisions and work in harmony to collectively protect our common heritage before others, particularly foreigners, will shove us behind. Once again let’s close ranks with sister associations and collectively rescue our profession from outsiders masquerading as Clearing Agents or Customs Brokers before it’s too late.
“On behalf of my dear NECOM members I most sincerely appreciate the honour of your esteemed presence within such a short notice.
“Our God who brought you will in His infinite mercy and grace take you back safely in Jesus name.
Having said all that, I wish to once again welcome you to this inauguration and reunification ceremony, and invite you to relax and enjoy the unfolding goodness in the restored great ANLCA! Great Professionals!”
The ANLCA President identified the Comptroller General of Customs – Alhaji Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR as having made the reconciliatory process in the association possible this year.
He said this was through the Customs Consultative Committee (CCC), under the leadership of Alhaji Aare Hakeem Olanrewaju.
He identified others who he commended for their roles in the peace that has been achieved in the association.
He said, “most specially and in a unique way, my thanks goes to ANLCA Board of Trustees led by the Chairman, Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha and Prince Ozo Chukwurah, Chief Ernest Elochukwu, Chief Dennis Okafor, Dayo Azeez and others for your resoluteness, commitment and steadfastness, in ensuring all parties were carried along during and after the process.
“This earned you confidence, trust and respect of all, which enabled you to deliver the most widely acclaimed credible election in the history of almost 70 years of ANLCA, even under tense atmosphere.
Completing this onerous task to the satisfaction and acceptance of ANLCA members, contestants and all maritime stakeholders, is not a mean feat.
“And to my former boss Prince Olayiwola Shittu whose support has been total, I remain eternally grateful.
“Sincere gratitude to my Campaign DG Chief Sir John Ofobike – Dan Katsina – and the entire team that midwifed this victory.
The event of today is meant to once again inform the general public, and particularly stakeholders, that ANLCA is fully back in the comity of associations in the Maritime industry, to take its rightful position as the numero uno Customs Brokerage/Freight Forwarding association in Nigeria especially and, internationally in general”.
The event was attended by many notable members of the association, including former Presidents, Prince Olayiwola Shittu and Alhaji Inua Mohammed, former President of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Eugene Nweke and present President of the association, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi.
The former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Dr. Hassan Bello delivered the key note address.
Others who attended the event were the Zonal Coordinator of Customs, Lagos, ACG Bello Jibo, Tin Can Island Customs Controller, Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni, among others.
Meanwhile, the former President of ANLCA, Iju Tony Nwabunike and his deputy, Dr. Kayode Farinto were absent at the inauguration of the new executive.
Nwabunike has been in the United States since last year on study leave.
It was also noticed that the former Chairman BOT of ANLCA, Chief Henry Njoku and another member of the board, Chief Peter Obi were absent.
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