“This crisis has exposed ANLCA and made people know that the role of the Board is meant to be advisory. But we had a situation where the Board was taking executive function,” Farinto said.
By Uzor Odigbo
The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, (CRFFN) on Wednesday inaugurated an eight-member Board of Trustees, (BoT) for the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA).
The inauguration of the BoT took place at the 1st Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2023 of the association in Lagos.
The members of the board are: Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha, Dayo Azeez,Sir. Ernest Elochukwu, Chief Dennis Okafor, Prince Ozo Chukwura, Alhaji Shamsideen Awopeju, Mr. Kingsley Offor and Eniola Igbaruola.
Prince Taiye Oyeniyi, a former member of the BoT, had earlier stepped down from the Board and was appointed a patron of the association in appreciation of the selfless act.
It will be recalled that ANLCA had for the past five years been embroid with crisis relating to the tenure of the BoT.
The Chairman, CRFFN, Alhaji Abubakar Tsanni, noted that Wednesday’s event had reduced the tension among members in the association even as he urged members of the association present at the AGM to relay the decisions taken to those absent as those present took responsibility for them.
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He also urged members to understand that it was important for everybody to register with the CRFFN as that would guarantee them operating in the industry.
He pointed out that a tribunal had been set up which would soon start working and the aim was to ensure that only registered freight forwarders would operate in the country.
“That is why we said that only registered freight forwarders should attend the meeting and whatever decision taken is binding on everyone.
The essence of the meeting is to have an understanding in the association and whatever that was not concluded today will in due course be concluded,” he said.
In his response, a Board member and former factional BoT Chairman, Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha who went down memory lane as to the genesis of the crisis, noted that he had been expecting a situation where both sides of the divides would clap, hug and laugh together as was the case in the past adding that he was happy to see his dream realized in the course of the meeting.
“We were able to calm the nerves of our members before coming for this meeting and we beg that whoever we offended, in the spirit of forgiveness should forgive us,” he said.
He pleaded that whatever was brought to the table should be acceptable to all.
Also speaking, another member of the Boat, Prince Ozo Chukwura urged all members to calm down as whatever they want for the association they would get but they needed to move the association forward.
Dr. Kayode Farinto, acting National President, ANLCA pointed out to members that the industry and members had suffered for the past five years and so the need to make peace.
“What we are having today is a political solution. I allowed you all to vent your anger because you have the legitimate right but we need to move on for peace to reign. We have witnessed collosal losses and I am happy that we are coming back together,” he said.
Farinto urged members to key into CRFFN and be registered adding that by the end of this year, if they were not certified and were practicing, they could go to jail.
“We have collapsed two structures, the old and new Board and the next AGM we will have soon, we must confine the role of our Board to what is stated in the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA). This crisis has exposed ANLCA and made people to know that the role of the Board is meant to be advisory. But we had a situation where the Board was taking executive function,” he said.
On her part, the Acting Registrar/CEO, Mrs. Chinyere Uromta described the peaceful resolution of ANLCA crisis as a plus to the CRFFN , the Nigerian economy and the freight forwarding sector in Nigeria.
While appreciating the Chairman of the Council, Dr. Abubakar Tsanni for his pragmatic and dynamic leadership in bringing the crisis to an end, she equally thanked members of ANLCA for cooperating with the Council to resolve their differences.
“I want to express my appreciation to my able Chairman, he is pragmatic and dynamic. For days now, we have not rested, he was so worried and I thank God almighty for setting aside today for settling of the lingering crisis in ANLCA and I believe it shall be sustained”, she stated.
