Maritime
Again, Momoh Insists ANLCA BOTship Not An All-comers Affairs
BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA
As the election for the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) draws near, one of the aspirants and member of the G-9, Chief Atebor Momoh, has appealed to members and voters alike to put the welfare of the association ahead of all other considerations in casting their votes, noting that only candidates with proven integrity and genuine commitment to serving the association is beneficial to its cause.
He said “the BoTship of ANLCA should not be an all-comers affair”, saying that at no other time than now does ANLCA needs for a board composed of individuals dedicated to its founding vision to be a veritable voice for practitioners.
Re-echoing his motive for joining the G-9 Like-minds to contest the board membership ticket, he said: “Fortunately, the dream and desire of how I can support the cause of the association through serving on the board is what propelled me into this contest.”
Outlining the 5-years crisis that engulfed the association during the Iju Tony Nwabuinike administration, Momoh said, “If you have been around for long, you would have noticed or heard that that the then singular loss of focus was what caused the crisis we are just coming out from. For a very long time now, we no longer have a strong board that speaks with one voice.
“If we had a board that had the vision of our founding fathers, the crisis we are talking about wouldn’t have happened because the board is supposed to be the conscience of the association.”
Stressing the importance of having board members that are selfless and focused, he said, “The board is not supposed to be for everybody; it is for people with self-esteem, people with decorum, with distinguished personalities, people who are prepared to serve and to make the collective interests their business.”
The successful business tycoon and long standing chieftain of the association with record of behind the scene support for the wellbeing of ANLCA argued that the most important credential sought for by outsiders and stakeholders is the status and respectability of those that constitute the board of trustees.
“That is why board members everywhere command respect; it shouldn’t be different in ANLCA, and if it is, we need to change the course and have a board that is focused and deserving of respect. We need a post-crisis board that will work with one mind not only within itself but also with NECOM to make sure that we reconnect and realize the vision of the founding fathers of ANLCA.”
On what he will do when he comes onboard, he said, “With like-minded board members, I will ensure that we are well guided and no crisis erupts, and if it happens, we will nip it in the bud before it becomes pronounced. It takes understanding, humility, and sacrifice, and that was why I told you earlier that the board is not for everybody.”
Chief Atebor Sunday Momoh who hails from Edo State is the the Managing Director/CEO of Tarah International Limited. Apart from customs clearing he is into various other businesses including distribution of petroleum products, hospitality and tourism among others.
A former staff of Panalpina, the Bini chief also worked with the Northern Nigeria Flour Mill, Benjoy Ltd before going into private practice, and have been in the clearing and forwarding business for over 30 years.
A graduate of the prestigious University of Lagos and Auchi Polytechnic, respectively, Momoh is patron of several socio-cultural groups and NGOs within his Agenebode birth place and beyond, and includes Edo Maritime Forum, Etsako Peoples Unity Club of Nigeria, Afemai Wayford Club , Enakhe Club, Okugbe Dev. Association of Edo State, amongst others.