Arguably, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has transformed into a good example of how a freight forwarding body should be. It has changed from being juts an assemblage of clearing and forwarding agents to an internationally-recognised body of professionals, all these under the watch of a new executive led by Prince Olayiwola Shittu. These were achieved in four years.
Arguably, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has transformed into a good example of how a freight forwarding body should be. It has changed from being juts an assemblage of clearing and forwarding agents to an internationally-recognised body of professionals, all these under the watch of a new executive led by Prince Olayiwola Shittu. These were achieved in four years.
Although, there may not be accurate records as to when it was actually founded, there is no doubt about the fact that the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) is the oldest umbrella body for all licensed customs agents in Nigeria.
Dr Rafiu Oladipo, who is now known more as the president general of the Nigerian Football Supporters’ club is credited as being the first president of ANLCA, older generation members of the association also say that there was a an interregnum for some years before Alhaji Sani Kamba later stepped-in to become the national president of a new- look association.
Alhaji Kamba’s tenure was followed by that of Mr Peter Okocha, Aare Sanni Shittu, Alhaji Inua Mohammed and Chief Ernest Elochukwu as national presidents. The incumbent; Prince Olayiwola Shittu is officially, the seventh national president of the association. His tenure ends in a matter of weeks.
Precisely on February 16, this year, we devoted this page to eulogizing ANLCA as a worthy brand, an example of how a freight forwarding association should be run.
We had observed that, “in the last three years and some months, we have noticed a bourgeoning national secretariat with functional apparatuses, in the same vein; we have observed the emergence of a less-relevant chapter leadership”.
We fingered the membership of IFCB, the association’s pre-2010 image of an isolated and a ‘threatened’ association and its current rating as the leading association as indices of a new association. We also noted that ANLCA has reclaimed its glory among stakeholders in the Nigerian shipping sector
We remember quite vividly that the current leadership of Prince Shittu had promised, among other things to: professionalize the business of customs clearing, provide a modern and functional and befitting national secretariat, engender harmony with other stakeholders and provide an effective customs-agents’ relationship.
Without necessarily taking sides, we can say that, all the achievements are signs that the national executive committee under Prince Olayiwola Shittu has delivered on all its promises when it was elected overwhelmingly about four years ago.
But, sadly current happenings in the association indicate that the four years romance between Prince Shittu and some ‘leaders’ of the association may have ended. There are clear evidences’ that his dream of doing a second term may be truncated.
He, and by extension his co-executives may have stepped on some toes considered powerful enough to deserve being punished with a denial of a second term.
The questions to ask at this juncture are: Has Prince Shittu delivered on his pre-election promises, could those who are currently playing the godfather have done better, did the incumbent president go beyond his mandate in the last four years that he has been the helmsman, is there any link between the recent board election and the coming national executive committee elections.
If what we know is the truth, we can affirm that; yes, the incumbent president has delivered on his campaign promises. We may not be too sure if any of the ‘godfathers’ could do better, but we also know for a fact that majority of the behind-the-scene actors have had opportunities to hold different high-level positions in the national executive committee of ANLCA, without any outstanding showing.
As for whether the president has stepped beyond his mandate, if there is any proof, let them show it.
Yes, there is a very strong link between the recent board election and the coming national elections.
As a media house that is very conversant with the history and politics of ANLCA, we can agree that each election is usually replete with intrigues, but not in the manner that one is seeing currently.
If it is true that, in addition to fulfilling all his campaign promises, Prince Olayiwola Shittu has also ensured that, for the first time in its history, ANLCA now has a permanent secretariat; then he deserves a second term as the national president. Whatever shortcoming he may have can be discussed.
Even if he does not deserve it, he is covered by the constitution to aspire it.
The board will be doing the association a lot of good by not playing destructive and self-serving politics with the future of ANLCA. It should allow whoever is interested in a second term to pursue his/her ambition.
The fears we have is that, if this trending distrust is allowed to blossom and the Board of Trustees takes over, then it may be good bye to the Brand called ANLCA, once again.
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