Nwabunike received the award two years ago from Asu Beks’ Shipping World Magazine. Nwabunike now says he’s rejecting the award because of Asu Beks mischief
By Uzor Odigbo
The National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Iju Tony Nwabunike during the week announced his rejection of the ” Freight Forwarder of the Decade” media award given to him about two years ago.
The award was given to him by Shipping World Magazine owned by Mr Asu Beks for his achievements in the shipping industry.
In a statement, Nwabunike said he had to return the award based on advice from professional colleagues, friends and family members.
Asu Beks about two weeks ago started a media campaign against Nwabunike accusing him of tenure elongation and demanding that he should leave office this April.
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Asu Beks claimed Nwabunike has no right to spend five years in office in line with the constitutional amendment by the NECOM of the association at the Annual General Meeting held in Owerri two years ago.
Nwabunike in a statement said, “I frowned at the campaign of calumny embarked upon against me and my great association, ANLCA by Asu Beks who always uses my photographs as a deliberate attempt to malign my personality with false and defamatory statements”.
“I sincerely expressed surprise at the level of pettiness, bias, subjectivity shown by Asu Beks.
“I can emphatically say that i didn’t solicit for any award from Mr Asu Beks abinitio, even as I expressed skepticism at first when he nominated me”.
Nwabunike who is out of the country for a programme said he has instructed his staff in the office to return the award to Shipping World.
On the allegation of tenure elongation, the ANLCA President said, “Asu Beks is not a member of ANLCA. His pettiness and shameful conducts in dabbling into a dispute which he is NOT a card carrying member are so ridiculous.
“Like any other association, the constitution of ANLCA is supreme and no President, or NECOM member can elongate their tenure in office, like being amplified by Asu Beks in his messenger of confusion countdown
“It is pertinent to note and put the records straight that, I Tony Nwabunike didn’t amend ANLCA’s Constitution.
“The amendment of ANLCA’s Constitution, which took place in December 2020, followed due process with approval from NEC and NECOM as the highest decision making organs of ANLCA, even as members of the association consented to it. The process of amendment was not hidden, as maritime Journalists observed the entire procedure.
“So, the campaign of calumny by Asu Beks on tenure elongation against me is nothing but cheap blackmail and lies that will not see the light of day, because truth shall always prevail against falsehood and mischief.”