By Ambrose Obioma Okehi (News Emperor)
The five year crisis that has bedeviled the oldest freight forwarding associations in the country has finally received a mail on its head. The crisis is over. It is over for good.
The crisis is dead and dead forever, looking at it what transpired from the just concluded AGM and from the way association has just woken up from of slumber, five years of infighting and five years of wastahe and acrimonies, to start all over again.
This was demonstrated and seen from the happenings and the outcome of the Wednesday AGM held at Eco Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos.
At the Wednesday’s event, a new Board of Trustee (BOT) emerged. A new BOT quite different from what was obtainable in the past five years when controversial stands the issue deprived the a lot.
News Emperor learnt that as at now, there is a way forward for the association because there is a central and all inclusive BOT for the great association.
After resolving the five year long crisis, the Apex freight forwarding Regulatory body, the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, (CRFFN) had on Wednesday played it’s supervisory and regulatory role of ensuring that things work well in the freight forwarding sector of the Nigeria economy.
It is based on the critical role it inaugurated 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.
Those who made it to the membership list of the Board of Trustee (BOT) include: 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 over the years.
The contention about the controversial BOT was said to have lasted for about five years and has within this period, the association has been having this crisis with regard to the tenure of the BoT.
Speaking, the Chairman, CRFFN, Alhaji Abubakar Tsanni, noted that yesterday’s event had reduced the tension among members in the association even as he urged the members of the association present at the AGM to relay the decisions taken to those absent as those present took responsibility for them.
Alhaji Tsanni also ureminded the members the need for them 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.
The now unanimously elected BOT, a Board member and former factional BoT Chairman, Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha while responding, recalling the past glory of the great association, tracrd the genesis of the crisis, adding 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.
On his own, another member of the BOT, Prince Ozo Chukwurah who was highly elated about the development, 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 while speaking later on, reiterated the need for the association to unitedly work together as they have lost a lot in past five years, affecting both their members and the industry and what they needed now is 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.
The CRFFN acting Resgistrar, while appreciating the Chairman of the Council, Dr. Abubakar Tsanni for his leadership style, she equally thanked the CRFFN chairman for reconciliatory role he in bringing the ANLCA’s crisis to an end, on the other hand appreciating members of ANLCA for cooperating with the Council to resolve their differences once and for all.
“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.