ASIMPIN: Elders Move to Resuscitate Igbo Maritime Forum
*As Obianigwe hints of plans to constitute election committee
By Our Reporter
Elders in Council of the Association of Igbo Maritime Practitioners in Nigeria (ASIMPIN) have reached a decision to resuscitate the former Igbo Maritime Forum earlier collapsed to give room for ASIMPIN.
It would be recalled that leaders of Igbo Maritime Forum had dropped the title with the registration of ASIMPIN at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to give it a legal backing and separate it from other ethnic maritime associations.
But at a meeting of the elders on Monday in Apapa in the office of the National Association of Government Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), it was decided that the way forward was to resuscitate Igbo Maritime Forum.
Participants at the meeting said that since ASIMPIN was registered, it has been hijacked by some people with no plans for election in the past 12 years.
Founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam who came up with the suggestion and supported by others said there was no need to fight the President of ASIMPIN, His Royal Highness, Igwe Damien Obianigwe.
Aniebonam said the resuscitation of the Forum will enable members choose where to belong, and in line with other ethnic group associations in the maritime industry.
He pointed out that the Forum has structures that can accommodate all interests.
Aniebonam also promised that when resuscitated, all members of NAGAFF would be encouraged to join.
He disclosed that he had asked all NAGAFF members to pull out of ASIMPIN.
He however explained that he was not against those who would wish to remain in ASIMPIN.
He expressed concerns that Igbo importers have been losing so much of their investments through seizures, adding that the Forum can focus on addressing these problems.
In response, the leader of the Elders in Council, Chief Austin Kelly Dike welcomed the idea.
Dike said that though the elders were happy about the registration of ASIMPIN, they have remained bitter as election has not been held for 12 years.
He said that it was not only the elders that have been complaining but also other young members of ASIMPIN.
Dike was supported by other members who took turns to speak in favour of the idea at the meeting.
They agreed that the first thing was to demand for an election failing which the move to go back to Igbo Elders Forum would begin.
One of the elders, who is the Coordinator of Save Nigeria Importers, Exporters and Freight Forwarders Coalition, Chief Osita Patrick Chukwu, said it was unthinkable that the President of ASIMPIN would be spending 12 years in office without election.
He hinted of options for a court action to compel Obianigwe to call for an election.
It would be recalled that the elders had issued a 7-day ultimatum to the President to draw a time-table for an election that will bring in new executive or face their wrath.
The letter which was signed by the Chairman of the Elders Forum, Chief Austin Kelly and the Secretary, Chief O. Odinaka, the President was told to put structures in place immediately for an election or the elders would be compelled to pass a vote of no confidence on his leadership.
The elders also told Obianigwe that his failure to take action will force them to move to take measures for the election to be held in both the national body and at chapter level.
According to the elders, it was annoying that the President has remained in office for 12 years without plans to hold election.
They added that two years tenure has now turned into 12 years in office.
However, in a statement reacting to the meeting and decision, Obianigwe condemned the action of the elders.
He said genuine ASIMPIN members were advised not be cajoled into chasing shadows.
He said that contrary to the claims of the elders, the President has since taken steps towards constituting a committee to organise elections in the nearest future.
The statement which was signed by Special Assistant, Media, Emeka Nwosu KSM, reads:
“The attention of HRM Eze Amb Damian Emeka Obianigwe KSM Ezeoha Obi of Isi Ihiteowerri, to a purported meeting organized by a group who choose to be called Asimpin elders forum.
“I wonder who constituted the council, Elders in Igbo cosmology are men of wisdom, whose predominant attention is peace, rectitude and prudence. These attributes are deficient with the proponents and his interesting council of elders.
“Eze Damian Obiànigwe does not give a whimper over such grandstanding with a fathom group of self glorifying persons known as elders.
HRM Eze Damian Obianigwe has since taken steps towards constituting a committee to organise elections in the nearest future.
“Chief Austin Kelly and his co- travellers might have been too late for these interventions.
Genuine ASIMPIN members are advised not be cajoled into chasing shadows.
It would come to those who know the stand of the Founder of NAGAFF about ASIMPIN as a shock over his sudden interest in ASIMPIN.
Be assured, HRM Eze Amb Damian Emeka Obianigwe KSM Ezeoha Obi of Isi Ihiteowerri will certainly keep hope alive and stand our great Association on a solid ground better than it were from foundation”.
(Note…You can reach us on:shippingday2@gmail.com or)
Elders in Council of the Association of Igbo Maritime Practitioners in Nigeria (ASIMPIN) have reached a decision to resuscitate the former Igbo Maritime Forum earlier collapsed to give room for ASIMPIN.
It would be recalled that leaders of Igbo Maritime Forum had dropped the title with the registration of ASIMPIN at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to give it a legal backing and separate it from other ethnic maritime associations.
But at a meeting of the elders on Monday in Apapa in the office of the National Association of Government Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), it was decided that the way forward was to resuscitate Igbo Maritime Forum.
Participants at the meeting said that since ASIMPIN was registered, it has been hijacked by some people with no plans for election in the past 12 years.
Founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam who came up with the suggestion and supported by others said there was no need to fight the President of ASIMPIN, His Royal Highness, Igwe Damien Obianigwe.
Aniebonam said the resuscitation of the Forum will enable members choose where to belong, and in line with other ethnic group associations in the maritime industry.
He pointed out that the Forum has structures that can accommodate all interests.
Aniebonam also promised that when resuscitated, all members of NAGAFF would be encouraged to join.
He disclosed that he had asked all NAGAFF members to pull out of ASIMPIN.
He however explained that he was not against those who would wish to remain in ASIMPIN.
He expressed concerns that Igbo importers have been losing so much of their investments through seizures, adding that the Forum can focus on addressing these problems.
In response, the leader of the Elders in Council, Chief Austin Kelly Dike welcomed the idea.
Dike said that though the elders were happy about the registration of ASIMPIN, they have remained bitter as election has not been held for 12 years.
He said that it was not only the elders that have been complaining but also other young members of ASIMPIN.
Dike was supported by other members who took turns to speak in favour of the idea at the meeting.
They agreed that the first thing was to demand for an election failing which the move to go back to Igbo Elders Forum would begin.
One of the elders, who is the Coordinator of Save Nigeria Importers, Exporters and Freight Forwarders Coalition, Chief Osita Patrick Chukwu, said it was unthinkable that the President of ASIMPIN would be spending 12 years in office without election.
He hinted of options for a court action to compel Obianigwe to call for an election.
It would be recalled that the elders had issued a 7-day ultimatum to the President to draw a time-table for an election that will bring in new executive or face their wrath.
The letter which was signed by the Chairman of the Elders Forum, Chief Austin Kelly and the Secretary, Chief O. Odinaka, the President was told to put structures in place immediately for an election or the elders would be compelled to pass a vote of no confidence on his leadership.
The elders also told Obianigwe that his failure to take action will force them to move to take measures for the election to be held in both the national body and at chapter level.
According to the elders, it was annoying that the President has remained in office for 12 years without plans to hold election.
They added that two years tenure has now turned into 12 years in office.
However, in a statement reacting to the meeting and decision, Obianigwe condemned the action of the elders.
He said genuine ASIMPIN members were advised not be cajoled into chasing shadows.
He said that contrary to the claims of the elders, the President has since taken steps towards constituting a committee to organise elections in the nearest future.
The statement which was signed by Special Assistant, Media, Emeka Nwosu KSM, reads:
“The attention of HRM Eze Amb Damian Emeka Obianigwe KSM Ezeoha Obi of Isi Ihiteowerri, to a purported meeting organized by a group who choose to be called Asimpin elders forum.
“I wonder who constituted the council, Elders in Igbo cosmology are men of wisdom, whose predominant attention is peace, rectitude and prudence. These attributes are deficient with the proponents and his interesting council of elders.
“Eze Damian Obiànigwe does not give a whimper over such grandstanding with a fathom group of self glorifying persons known as elders.
HRM Eze Damian Obianigwe has since taken steps towards constituting a committee to organise elections in the nearest future.
“Chief Austin Kelly and his co- travellers might have been too late for these interventions.
Genuine ASIMPIN members are advised not be cajoled into chasing shadows.
It would come to those who know the stand of the Founder of NAGAFF about ASIMPIN as a shock over his sudden interest in ASIMPIN.
Be assured, HRM Eze Amb Damian Emeka Obianigwe KSM Ezeoha Obi of Isi Ihiteowerri will certainly keep hope alive and stand our great Association on a solid ground better than it were from foundation”.
(Note…You can reach us on:shippingday2@gmail.com or)
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