A little over two years 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.
A little over two years 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 officially, the seventh national president of the association.
Prior to emerging as the number one man, Shittu had been a prominent member of the association from the Port Harcourt axis where he had been a chapter chairman; it’s from there that he became national publicity secretary of the association. Prince Shittu added glamour and professionalism to the office of the association’s mouth piece. He was later to become the chairman of the association’s electoral commission that conducted the election which saw the emergence of most the current chapter executives of the association.
We recall that, before the chapter executives emerged in 2010, ANLCA was on a cliff edge; highly factionalised along tribal lines, engaging rival associations in war of supremacy and enjoying dwindling recognition from relevant government agencies; especially the Nigeria Customs Service.
Arguably, ANLCA has transformed from its pre-2010 image of an isolated and a ‘threatened’ association to a 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.
Even though he didn’t give a time frame within which these promises would be fulfilled, his critics will agree that he has delivered on these promises within two years.
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 third 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.
In the last two years, 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 have heard of skirmishes at the chapter levels, where the chairmen have become far removed from their ‘subjects’.
The national leadership of ANLCA should do more to make the chapters to be closer to their members, we hear that meetings are no longer held as regular as they should by the chapter executives, a clear departure from what obtains at the national level.
No doubt, the last four years have been fulfilling for the Prince Shittu-led executive council, but it has also exposed ANLCA as an association that is still far from being a well structured one. No doubt, the presidency of Prince Shittu is a blessing for ANLCA as it has shored up the image of the association. But the association, like others, is still woven around the personae of its national president.
The ANLCA has reclaimed its glory among stakeholders in the Nigerian shipping sector, its recent admission into the IFCB is quite commendable, while its frontline role in the CRFFN has also helped the council to stabilize.
Certainly, ANLCA is far better than it was before the present leadership, but we think that the national president should hold on more to its foot soldiers, that is, members of the association at the various chapters. On its part, other members of the national executive council should also try and be visible at their various chapters.
It is also our opinion that ANLCA leadership should do more than it is doing at the moment to make its members feel the benefits of the association’s status in the comity of freight forwarding associations, its membership of committees and task forces should aggregate benefits to its members at the grassroots.
Finally, as Prince Olayiwola Shittu national leadership begins its second half, conscious efforts should be made to make the association financially strong and less-dependent on contributions from its chapters.
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