By Kenneth Jukpor
The new National President, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Chief Tochukwu Ezisi has vowed that his administration would be an all-inclusive one in a bid to take the association to new heights.
Ezisi who made this declaration in his inaugural speech during his inauguration as the 6th National President of NAGAFF in Lagos on Monday, urged NAGAFF members for their total support to enable him deliver on his mandate.
The new NAGAFF President also stated that he would ensure that the association keys into a good health insurance scheme that will be beneficial to all members.
Noting the high numerical strength of members of the association, he stated that he would negotiate a favourable deal with a health insurance policy provider for good product that would be of benefits to members.
His words: “My administration will, working with the leadership of the various branches of NAGAFF, establish working relationship with good hospitals across Nigeria to agree discounts on bills for members of our association. We need all hands to be on deck as we are going to run an all-inclusive administration. The door is always open for those who have ideas on how to move NAGAFF higher. I want everybody to know that NAGAFF belongs to all of us, so we should always think of how to make it better.”
According to him, one of the first tasks of his administration will be to create an administrative structure that ensures that the NAGAFF executive leadership are able to deliver on its blueprint for the progress of NAGAFF as an institution.
“As I have consistently stated, it is out of immense respect, a deep understanding of the value of the mandate thrust upon me and with humility to the will of God that I made myself available to serve our noble association and wholeheartedly accepted the mandate. I thank you once again for the confidence that you have reposed in me and reassure you that I shall do my best to deliver on your mandate”, he posited.
In his remarks, founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Aniebonam said at the initial stage, he never thought about Ezisi becoming President of NAGAFF but he earned his admiration because of his “capacity for hard work and goodwill.”
He urged NAGAFF members to ensure compliance to trade regulations and be law abiding to enjoy support of the new President and his executives.
“What will prepare all of you to be on the safe side and enjoy support of the President is to learn how to live on the part of law. Don’t go to the government with dirty hands, more so when you come with threats. Don’t hide under association to do anything to the contrary. If you want Ezisi to assist you, be on the part of the law,” he told NAGAFF members at the inauguration.
On his part, Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), NAGAFF, Mr. Chidiebere Enelamah in his welcome speech advised the new President to guide against old issues and thought patterns “that will constantly try to reestablish control” in the cause of piloting the affairs of the association.
According to him, “The new issues and patterns should be geared towards acquiring a NAGAFF structure, visitation to all NAGAFF commands, strict adherence to the rules of engagement, constructive engagement of all government agencies, ensuring our members are updated knowledge wise and welfare of members properly looked into. And finally, ensure that all come together.”
Enelamah expressed confidence in Ezisi’s ruggedness and determination to take NAGAFF to the next level, while also assuring that members of the BoT will support his administration.
Other officers inaugurated into the National Executive Committee are: Deputy National President, Mr. Simeon Nwonu; National Deputy President (Air Logistics), Forwarder, Segun Musa; Deputy National President Sea Ports, Forwarder Afam Chukwuma; Deputy National President Land Border, Timothy Awogbemi; Secretary-General, Mr. Dipo Olayoku and Assistant Secretary-General, Mr. Francis I. Omotosho.
Also on the list of the new National Executives are; Publicity Secretary, Mr. Clement E. Ewegbuna; National Treasurer, Mrs. Melody Obehi; National Financial Secretary; Mr. Okey Nerus; National Welfare Officer, Princess Uju Ebubedike; National Government Agencies Relations Chairman, Mr. Ifeanyi Ekemezie; Barrister Fred Akokhia, Legal Officer I; Barrister Henry Orarotimi, Legal Officer II.
Others include: National Ethics, Complaint and Discipline Officer, Mr. Ignatius Nwachukwu; National Chairman Trade Facilitation Committee, Engineer Nonso Ejikeme; National Inspectorate & Intelligence, Mr. Ayodeji Ademola; National Women Leader, Mrs. Kate Oghagbon; National Auditor, Pastor Emma Chukwuma.
Vice President Western, Zone Seaports, Princess Chi Ezeh; Vice President Western Zone, Air Logistics, Aibu Adewale Adbulfatai; Zonal Secretary, Western Zone Seaports, Mr. Stanley Ezenga; Zonal Secretary, Western Zone Air Logistics, Dr. Abimbola Ogini; Vice President Western Zone Borders, Ozo Ekene Ajunwa among others.
