Freight Forwarders Honour Hassan Bello, Task FG on Reward for Excellence
HASSAN BELLO
By Francis Ugwoke
Freight forwarders and other maritime industry stakeholders on Monday gathered in their hundreds to honour the immediate past Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Mr Hassan Bello, for excellent performance while in office.
The event which was organised by the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) attracted key freight forwarders, customs brokers, truck owners from seven different associations and other organisations who called on the federal government to consider as a matter of national interest the need to begin to reward those who performed excellently while serving the country in their various capacity.
President of NAGAFF, Chief Increase Uche, Phd, in his welcome address during the event said Bello is being celebrated after his 8 years service as Executive Secretary, NSC, for others in government service in the maritime industry to take a queue and offer their best.
Uche pointed out that the narrative in the shipping industry changed as far as arbitrary shipping charges by multinational service providers and terminal operators were concerned when Bello was appointed as Executive Secretary of the NSC.
He described Bello as a detribalized Nigerian who was full of humility and courage to deliver while in service.
Uche said that though Bello has now retired, he was not tired and should be considered for other bigger position to serve the country.
Deputy President of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Dr. Kayode Farinto who also spoke said the NSC turned from being ‘passive to active’ when Bello became the Executive Secretary.
Farinto who represented the President of ANLCA, Iju Tony Nwabunike, said that before then, letters to multinational shipping companies complaining about arbitrariness were simply acknowledged without action.
He said the former NSC ES changed the trend on assuming office as the shipping companies started responding to letters and started addressing issues referred to them by consumers of shipping services.
Kayode said that Bello deserves to be honoured with a National Award by the federal government in recognition of his excellent service and personal sacrifice to enthrone an efficient service in the ports.
He also added that Bello was not tired and should be appointed to head the Nigerian Transport Commission (NTC) once it is given an assent by the President .
Similarly, the Secretary General of the National Council of Managing Directors of Customs Agents (NCMDCA), Chief Festus Ukwu, said he was impressed by the role played by Bello during the Covid-19 lockdown to ensure that goods were cleared at the ports.
According to him, the former NSC CEO apart from providing buses also made sure that customs agents were safe while clearing their goods at the ports during the pandemic.
The Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Leye Ajayi while applauding Bello for his excellent performance said it was for other CEOs in the shipping sector to emulate him.
He also called for an increase in the funding of the NSC to do better for the industry.
Founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, explained that Bello was honoured not just because of his excellent performance but also humility.
Aniebonam added that though Bello has retired, he should be considered for higher appointment because of his performance.
The Chairman of Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Tsar Abubakar was also of the view that Bello having done well should be considered for more job.
He described Bello as a man who offered his best to ensure the development of the industry, adding that though he has retired, he was not tired.
Publisher of Shipping World Magazine, Elder Asu Beks in his goodwill message pointed out that the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi should be commended for his support for the NSC which made it possible for Bello to perform.
Beks said he was happy that Bello did well and deserves to be considered for higher position.
Other stakeholders who spoke were unanimous that Bello should be considered for a higher appointment , describing him as the type of Nigerian that can turnaround any sector for good.
The high point of the celebration was the conferment of award on Bello as the Grand Patron of NAGAFF.
He was also given an Industry Performance Award by NAGAFF for his excellence service in NSC which was of immense benefit to freight forwarders.
In his acceptance speech, Bello thanked all for the honour bestowed on him.
He said that he has always believed that public office holders should keep an open door policy.
He added that he has always believed in stakeholders engagement which helps the industry.
He called on stakeholders to give the same level of support to the present Executive Secretary of the Council, Barr Emmanuel Jime to succeed.
He said that Jime is well equipped to deliver in his new position having worked in the Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA) which promotes export like the shipping sector.
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