In a keenly contested national election of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) which held in Enugu State yesterday, Tony Iju Nwabunike has emerged as the new National President of the association, defeating his opponent Emenike Nwokeoji who was incumbent vice president.
In the results that were announced by the association’s electoral committee, Nwabunike had 38 votes while Emenike had 35 votes. Also, Dr. Kayode Farinto who was National Publicity Secretary of ANLCA, defeated Prince Kayode Oyinlola with 38 votes to emerge as the new Vice President. Oyinlola had 33 votes.
Others who emerged winners were: Alhaji Babatunde Mukaila with 70 votes to become the new National Secretary. Also, Joe Sanni emerged National Publicity Secretary with 41 votes.
Hajia Bola Muse is the new National Financial Secretary with 43 votes, Denis Ukwu is assistant national secretary with 41 votes.
Uche Martins with 29 votes emerged Zonal Coordinator Eastern Zone. Joshua Ahuama with 23 votes is secretary of the zone. John Oforbike re-emerged as Zonal Coordinator Western Zone with 33 votes. The secretary of the zone is Bayo Oyekangun.
Board of Trustees Chairman of ANLCA, Chief Henry Njokwu said the Board took a decision that contestants who are not members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) will be allowed to vote for only themselves and not others.
Earlier, in his opening address, the outgoing National President of ANLCA, Prince Olayiwola Shittu said that ANLCA is the only association in the maritime sector with a democratic system of governance and that others including National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) and Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) are still coming behind.
He urged the voters to vote according to their conscience so that ANLCA can survive the future.
Shittu said he was proud to be leaving the stage as ANLCA President, stressing that he had to leave the stage for others to play, and that no actor lives forever.
"We have a system in place at ANLCA that we have tried to manage, nobody is perfect, but the system corrects itself. Ten years ago our elections were never done like this, there is always a palpable fear, the Police, OPC and others will be full, but today we are the only democratic association in the maritime industry, not even the maritime workers union because they arrange it, not even the transport workers and not even NAGAFF’’
“It is what we teach them that they must follow, we are the oldest, we set the pace and we must be the yardstick of reference"
The BOT Chairman of ANLCA, Henry Njoku appealed that winners in the election should embrace the losers and work together to move the association forward.
Njoku commended Shittu and his team for all the achievements, especially acquiring a national secretariat. He pledged that the BOT would work with the new leadership of the association.
"Prior to this time, the news has been that ANLCA would break into two, but today we are here to witness that ANLCA cannot be broken into two"
"Whoever emerges as president of ANLCA and his team, we would work with him to make sure ANLCA moves forward. There is no personal interest, the goal here today is to get ANLCA moving forward"
"This is not a winner takes all, it is winner unites us all, this is what we need to move forward. Before when we use to have elections, we come from a rented apartment, but today, we have our secretariat fully furnished, we commend Mr. President and BOT members"
Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuayin who was represented by his Special Assistance on Special Duties, Mr. Uwakwe Azikiwe urged ANLCA to bring forth the right candidate to ensure the growth of the maritime sector.
Representative of Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara ; Hon. Ossy Prestige expressed the lawmakers’ readiness to work with ANLCA, especially in bringing out the best legislation. He said that the House of Representatives will provide ANLCA with legal framework to enable them carryout their job effectively.
Also speaking, Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) represented by the Area Controller in charge of Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi States, Comptroller Suleiman pledged continuous support for ANLCA, describing it and the customs service as twins of the same mother.
Discussion about this post