About one year ago, the Prince Olayiwola Shittu-led executive committee of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) was inaugurated, thus flagging-off a new vista in the history of the oldest freight forwarding association in Nigeria.
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.
About one year ago, the Prince Olayiwola Shittu-led executive committee of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) was inaugurated, thus flagging-off a new vista in the history of the oldest freight forwarding association in Nigeria.
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 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 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. Thus, Prince Shittu is the seventh national president of the association.
Prior to emerging as the number one man, Shittu had been the chairman of the association’s electoral body that saw the emergence of most the chapter executives of the association.
And before the chapter executives emerged, ANLCA itself was on a cliff edge, factionalised along tribal lines, engaging rival association in war of supremacy and enjoying dwindling recognition from relevant government agencies; especially the Nigeria Customs Service.
Arguably, ANLCA has since transformed from its pre-2010 image of an isolated and a ‘threatened’ association to new brand that is the envy of all licensed customs agents, perhaps worthy of the confidence that its teaming members reposed in Prince Shittu when he went seeking for their votes.
We remember quite vividly that Prince Olayiwola had promised, among other things to: professionalise the business of customs clearing, provide a modern and functional secretariat, engender harmony with other stakeholders and provide an effective customs- agents’ relationship. It is on record that within the last 365 days, he has delivered on these promises.
But, by and large, the decision to synergise with other stakeholders may possibly be what has created the best image for ANLCA and for which most licensed customs agents will remain very grateful to the new leadership of ANLCA under Prince Olayiwola Shittu.
But, as the new leadership goes to the second year in its four year tenure, it is important to point its attention to a few things which we think might help it to serve its members more.
Rather than playing to the gallery (as it is appearing to be), it shouldn’t toy with a fight against the Nigeria Customs Service as it president hinted last week at the media parley to mark the anniversary. Prince Shittu was reported to have threatened to expose customs officers who also double as licensed customs agents.
This is not the first time that ANLCA, under Prince Shittu’s watch will issue that threat, but each time it did, it never made good the threat. This has largely given the impression that the threat remains an instrument to force the management of Customs to pay more attention to the association or to extract certain promises from it. Resorting to threat appears to as been militant; for which ANLCA is not known. It seems like it is being negatively affected by its sweet relationship and romance with freight forwarding associations that have militant disposition.
The ANLCA that we know has long dropped the toga of an association that behaves like a trade union, it has for a while been seen as having a persuasive a constructive dialogue bent on issues with government agencies. We recall that even when association’s like NAGAFF wanted to ‘fight’ Customs on behalf of licensed customs agents, ANLCA has always been the stabilising factor, playing the role of a peace maker.
While not condoning Customs officers for being corrupt, we strongly believe that for any corrupt Customs officer, there are three or four collaborators among licensed customs agents.
We are of the strong opinion that the coming years should be devoted to fulfilling the few yet-to-be-fulfilled elections manifestos, even as we dare ANLCA to publish the names of such Customs officers who also double as clearing agents.
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