At first the news trailing the emergence of Col.Abubakar Tsanni (Rtd) as the 3rd Governing Council Chairman of the Council for the Regulations Freight Forwarding in Nigeria(CRFFN) and Chief Henry Njoku was not received with any iota of rude shock, because earlier indicators pointed the obvious.
As an activist and a leader in the freight forwarding profession, I contemplated withdrawing or suspending my membership with the CRFFN and practice In Nigeria,as a mark of protest, but later declined based on the following reasons:
a). If the over 16 notable professional colleagues, so elected by the Forwarders and another appointed into the Governing Council, never protested or staged a walk- out protest against the perceived imposed chairman, but in their sense of judgment, unanimously ( as was reported on the radio network), accepted on behalf of the led ( Freight Forwarders), the chairman with over whelming celebrations, why then should I suspend myself from the Council. It will be deceitful and a defeat of leadership ideals, as such I join to trust their leadership ideology and sense of judgment.
b). Accepting as a leader that there comes in a process of time, a leader must be led or subjected to other form of leadership, most times not at the purview of our leadership choices and affiliations.
Hence, a good leader is one who opens himself and embrace leadership delivery from other leaders.
I really don’t have any personal issues with any of the leaders, other than my rightful expressions via a public outcry, in defense of our “Professional Sanctity”.
c). Understanding that, it is glaring that the first and second Governing Council never did much, with respect to making standing regulations guiding the qualifications or eligibilities or merits to serve in the Governing Council.
This collective oversight, is our prima deficiency. WE NEVER PROTECTED OUR PROFESSION, LIKE OTHER PROFESSIONALS DO. NOT UNTIL WE DO SO, MANY NIGERIA’S FROM OTHER PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS, WILL OVER NIGHT, RETIRE OR SWITCH OVER THEIR PROFESSION AND FUSE INTO FREIGHT FORWARDING PROFESSION AND WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF REGISTRATION, WILL BE APPOINTED TO HEAD A STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE CRFFN.
This should serves as an eye opener, to the leaders.
d). Col.Abubakar Tsanni (Rtd) as a Nigerian being protected by the constitution of the Federal Republic saw this loopholes and rejigged his political aspirations which he is entitled to. Had he met a properly guided profession on ground, as a retired disciplined military officer he would have respected himself and the professional laws as it were.
e). The same can equally be said of the Honourable Minister of Transportation.
It is against this backdrop (posited reasons), that I want to formally congratulate Fwdr, Col.Abubakar Tsanni, RFF & Fwdr,Chief Henry Njoku, RFF as the Third Governing Council Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Council for the Regulations of Freight Forwarding Practice in Nigeria – CRFFN.
My congratulation also goes to all Governing Council members ( appointed and elected) for smooth electioneering processes leading to a successful inauguration by the Honorable Minister of Transportation.
My Congratulations equally goes to the Honorable Minister of Transportation, for his swift leadership consideration in the long run.
Time to breach the widening professional gap is now.
As a freight forwarding nation, six years down the line, we are daily losing out in the comity of global freight forwarding practices/ expertise.
I wish you all a successful and professional activities- packed- tenure.
Once more, accept my CONGRATULATIONS..
By Fwdr, Dr Eugene Nweke. RFF.
