One of the most prominent freight forwarders in the maritime sector of the nation’s economy, and founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, (NAGAFF), Dr Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam, has gracefully bowed out of what he called freight forwarding association activities.
An excited Aniebonam told the gathering of well over 1,000 business associates, well wishers, journalists and members of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) which he founded in 1990 that he has never witnessed such a crowd since he began his activism. “Even when I was getting married, I think there were about 15 couples in attendance. I want to start by appreciating your presence here today. It goes a long way to show that one’s contribution to the growth and development of the freight forwarding industry in Nigeria has not gone un-noticed”.
In a valedictory speech he delivered at the occasion which held in Lagos, Aniebonam recounted the formation of NAGAFF in the mid- 1990 while he was still an active member of Association of Nigeria Customs Licensed Agents, (ANLCA).
Recounting the genesis of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, (NAGAFF), he said that during the period of his membership of ANLCA, he had a real insight into the unwillingness of the association to adapt to change and promote the profession.
“We were more or less operating like a labour union instead of a professional association. With my background in the Customs service, coupled with the public perception of a clearing and forwarding agent who often times is given a derogatory perception I felt there was the need for the freight forwarder to be accorded dignity in the society. There was no true professional association of freight forwarders that could speak for the profession, dialogue with government and stakeholders as well as promote interest of members”, he explained.
He regretted that all efforts he made alongside other members of ANLCA to effect a change internally were derailed by few members who were benefiting from the system.
“However, the turning point came when I met colleagues and lecturers in UNILAG where we were truly exposed to the rudiments of freight forwarding and the need for a professional body in Nigeria, where globally acceptable minimum competence and standards of practice is the norm with clearly defined code of practice”, he said.
He recalled that despite harassment and intimidation from protagonists, NAGAFF eventually came into fruition on 30th of November 1999.
“I’m officially pulling out of the association activities today to give room for the young freight forwarders to take control and infuse fresh ideas into the running of the association. I feel I have fulfilled my mission. I now want to remain as an elder statesman of the industry and face political matters where one can still continue to contribute in protecting and projecting the cause of freight forwarding politically,” he added.
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