Left-right: President General of the Association of Igbo Maritime Practitioners in Nigeria ASIMPIN, Eze Ambassador Damian Emeka Obianigwe presents a plaque to the National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents ANLCA, Hon. Iju Tony Nwabunike during a grand reception organised in his honour by ASIMPIN in Lagos at the weekend.

BY FRANCIS EZEM

It was pomp and pageantry at the weekend in Lagos as Association of Igbo Maritime Practitioners in Nigeria ASIMPIN, organised a grand reception in honour of the newly elected National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents ANLCA, Iju Tony Nwabunike at an event that turned out to be a gathering of who is who in the maritime industry.

Recall that Nwabunike emerged winner at a keenly contested general election of the association held on March 16, 2018 in Enugu, the Enugu State Capital, having defeated his rival, Mr. Emenike Nwokeoji, who is also the immediate past vice president.

While speaking at the event, Nwabunike said that ANLCA under his watch would work with the relevant government agencies in the maritime industry with a view to enhancing efficient and effective port operation in the country.

Nwabunike, who expressed appreciation to God and leadership of ASIMPIN for the great honour given to him, also disclosed that he would work towards uniting all freight forwarding practitioners in the country in order to foster cohesion and singleness of purpose.

According to him, most freight forwarding practitioners, importers are going through operational difficulties in carrying out their professional jobs, a development the current leadership of ANLCA has committed itself to resolving by liaising with all the relevant government agencies.

He however noted that this would not be achieved if the various freight forwarding groups do not speak with one voice, which makes it incumbent on the leadership of ANLCA to champion the process that would culminate in uniting the various associations. Nwabunike also sought the support and cooperation not only of the members of ANLCA but also those of sister associations in order to achieve this.

“The victory at the polls was a victory for all operators in the maritime industry, especially the freight forwarders and importers, who go through scores of man-made challenges and difficulties in carrying out their day-day professional activities and this must stop, as we deserve to work in a more business friendly environment”, Nwabunike said.

He thanked the leadership of ASIMPIN for deeming it fit to organise such a grand reception in his honour, insisting that this singular gesture has also reinforced his resolve to use his office to improve the lot of the maritime industry in the interest of all operators in particular and the national economy in general.

Meanwhile, President General of the association, Eze Ambassador Damian Emeka Obianigwe, recalled that Nwabunike came to him for his blessing before going for the elections, which he gave him and assured him that he would come out victorious, which has come to fruition.

He noted that the new president has gone out for a ‘war’, fought and won and therefore deserves a proper welcome for being a true torch bearer for Ndi Igbo, urging him to use his position to unite all in the profession.

He insisted that since Nwabunike contested with his brother, Nwokeoji, there is no victor or vanquished, saying that the victory was for Ndi Igbo in particular and the maritime industry and by extension the Nigerian nation in general.

He also urged him to bring his wealth of experience in politics and business to bear on his new assignment, expressing great confidence in his ability to properly steer the ship of the association, which he insisted would remain the greatest joy of ASIMPIN and all those that supported his political aspiration.

A high point of the event was the presentation of plaques to the ANLCA President, Nwabuike, Chairman of Board of Trustees of the association, Chief Henry Njoku and Chairman of Board of Trustees of ASIMPIN and a chieftain of ANLCA, Chief Peter Obi.

In attendance at the event were Vice President of ANLCA, Dr. Kayode Farinto, National Secretary of the association, Alhaji Mukailah Abdulazeez and former President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders NAGAFF, Dr. Eugene Nweke, Mr. Ossy Prestige a former member of ANLCA and currently a member of House of Representatives, among several others.