The Nine Like-Minds And The Board ANLCA Truly Deserve

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

For a long time already, the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has made efforts to ascend to that prestigious pedestal of professionalism, dating as far back as 2004 when Chief Ernest Elochukwu in a keenly contested election, emerged as the national president.

His co-contestant, Joe Eboje was not only a well respected member and player in the customs brokerage and logistics services, but equally a man of means and huge political clout, one that could place a telephone call to those in the corridor of power to discuss matters affecting the association.

The now late Eboje though rattled by the outcome of the election, nevertheless conceded defeat in a clean and sportsmanship manner, same way Mr. Emenike Kingsley Nwokeoji in 2018 conceded defeat to Iju Tony Nwabunike with a free and unfettered mind, and flew from Port Harcourt to attend Nwabuinike’s inauguration ceremony in Lagos.

The period between Elochukwu’s single term and that of his predecessor, Prince Olayiwola Shittu’s two terms of eight years clearly registered ANLCA’s presence as a consequential professional group in the mind of government.

Thus when ANLCA speaks, the relevant authorities pays attention until the locust years when that professional identity and respectability was suddenly overshadowed by a darkling ambition and attacks through a wave of unacceptable rascality, to which the association gradually succumbed and faded away steadily from serious reckoning.

In 2023 all the past leaders and elders resolved with one accord to rescue ANLCA from those holding it hostage and to resuscitate and nurse it to full recovery and good standing, which culminated in the election of the present National Executive Committee (NECOM), with Nwokeoji as national president.

So far a lot of ‘lost ground’ as it is said in this part of the world has been recovered under this restoration regime, the sustainability of this trajectory, that is the new atmosphere of the collective sense of belonging and wellbeing of the association is incumbent on members and no one else; especially in view of its upcoming Board of Trustees (BoT) election.

Everyone knows that board membership of an organization is exclusive to serious minded people, people with proven integrity and character, people who can be trusted with the wellbeing, security and progress of the organization; and people with means and the right connections to push the aspirations and yearning of the organization.

Speaking on the upcoming ANLCA BoT election, Secretary of the Customs Consultative Committee (CCC), Dr. Eugene Nweke said it is not an all comer’s affairs but for those who can contribute meaningfully and positively.

His words: “The board of trustees plays a crucial role in ensuring the organization’s success, accountability, and sustainability. It is therefore, important to ensure that the process of selecting or electing individuals, who ascend into the organization’s board, is premised on a clearer understanding of the official demand of the exalted office.

“Furthermore, the essence and focus here  is for a would be board member to understand his place in the organization, and stay within the ambit of his trusted bits, so as to guarantee administrative fluidity and cohesion at all times, devoid of cross functions, and misplacement of interests.”

Campaigns for the election is ongoing and it is important that members and voters alike rise above sentiments and narrow consideration to ensure they vote the best candidates, candidates that will join hands with the national leadership to build on the gains so far recorded. Undoubtedly, members knows the history of the association’s petty and bitter politicking and it is imperative that they vote into the board, only candidates with genuine aspirations to contribute to the unity, stability, and resourcefulness of the association and the overall collective gains of members.

This is where the Group-of-9-like-minds already making waves comes in, namely Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha,  Chief Dennis Okafor, Mr. Dayo Azeez, Alhaji Tunde Awonuga, Sir Ernest Elochukwu, Chief Sunday Momoh, Mr. Ademola Mumuney, Mr. Kingsley Offor, and Alhaji Mohammed Utai.

Their common resolve is to pursue with unremitting energy the unity of the association and the affinity of members as a launch pad to returning it to full reckoning and respectability, in collaboration with the National Executive Committee (NECOM).

The group of nine like minds has developed a programme that will  include a draft bill proposal for the charter of the Institute of Customs Brokers of Nigeria, which will lead to the professionalization of Customs Brokerage in Nigeria; and which they wish to pursue in conjunction with the NECOM.

The group has also outlined plans to collaborate with NECOM to undertake a holistic review of the 2013 Supreme Constitution of ANLCA as amended, pursuant to its registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

According to the group, upon been voted into office, it would reach out to the management of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) with a view to facilitating a scheduled programme of training for members at the Command & Staff College, Gwagwalada, Abuja, as an interim measure, for the continuous upgrade in capacity building of customs brokers.

The 9 BoT like-minds pledged to interface with the Nigeria Customs Board to seek ways of addressing a number of identified challenges that includes a relaxed time frame for renewal of operating licenses, inclusive of the cost review; amongst other matters of common interest to both entities.

The progress of the association lies in unity and leadership stability, which alone can promote the right atmosphere to continue to work for the benefits of all members. It is for these reasons that members and voters alike in the coming board election should make the group of nine their choice.

It is the only wise and beneficial choice since in the end, these are the only candidates that have their genuine interests at heart and have the wherewithal to aggregate and propel their needs and desires.

In fact, ANLCA needs these men of wisdom, men of peace and integrity more than any other time. They have the capacity to deliver and to hand over a united, reinvigorated, rebranded, and professionally refocused, crisis free ANLCA to the younger generation.

The BoT 9 like minds will bring to an end the ugly spectre of discord, acrimony and discordant tunes in lieu of power struggle and divisiveness in the customs brokerage and freight forwarding community.

No doubt, this fresh air of peace and unity will in turn attract the attention of stakeholders and relevant authorities to begin to increase their relationship and partnership with ANLCA, which will be to the ultimate benefit of all members, practitioners and the industry.

Some of them you already know and can attest to their integrity and doggedness in standing for ANLCA with everything they have, the others have been around, working from behind the scene, supporting and helping to shape the future of the association.