By Kenneth Jukpor
Following the swearing-in of the new national executives of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Col. Hammed Ali (Rtd) has admonished the new leadership to eschew ethnic and religious bias but prioritize national interest and the interest of the association at all times.
The CG made this call while giving a speech at the swearing-in ceremony at the weekend, for the new ANLCA executives led by Mr. Tony Iju Nwabunike as National President.
Hameed Ali who was represented by the Assistant Comptroller-General in-charge of Western Zone, ACG Aminu Dahiru also admonished ANLCA leadership to curb the rising importation of tramadol and other dangerous items which destroy Nigeria’s younger generation.
“This new leadership must see everyone from a neutral point of view as members of this great association. It doesn’t matter if they are among those that voted you. It doesn’t matter if they are Muslims or Christians or the tribe. They are all under your leadership”
“I appeal to your leadership over one area bothering me and others. See what you can do to stop your members from giving services to people who bring things that destroy our society. At the moment, that is tramadol. Our young people are so much into it, some undergraduates take it and they drop out of school as a result of the effect on them,” Dahiru said.
Meanwhile, the newly sworn in President of ANLCA, Mr. Tony Nwabunike in his remarks, assured that the association would work assiduously to improve on the professional competence of its members.
Nwabunike stated that the association will partner with the Nigerian Shippers Council and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) in tackling a alleged illegal charges by shipping companies and terminal operators.
The new President also had kind words for his predecessor, Prince Olayiwola Shittu; “I would also like to express my heart-felt gratitude to the out-going President, Prince Olayiwola Shittu (JP) and his NECOM members, the indefatigable BOT Chairman, Chief Henry Njoku and my fellow board members, chapter chairmen, their executives as well as our members who have jointly steered ANLCA to this enviable position that it has attained”
Nwabunike assured that under his leadership ANLCA would be proactive, tackling issues and challenges as they arise and providing guidance in policy formulation and execution as it affects freight forwarding.
