A presidential candidate in the coming election of the National Executive Committee Members (NECOM) of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA); Sir Kingsley Emenike Nwokeoji, has vowed to rewrite the bad narrative about ANLCA and reposition it in the interest of members and in the overall good of freight forwarding business in Nigeria.
Nwokeoji stated this while flagging-off his presidential campaign in the Western Zone of the association in Apapa, Lagos onThursday.
The presidential candidate who lost by three votes in the 2018 election bemoaned what he described as an appalling state of ANLCA and its members since then.
He further lamented the multiple Customs alerts and undue seizures that have characterised freight forwarding business in recent times, saying if the leaders had braced up, such would not have happened. He however promised that if elected, he would change the bad narrative which has depicted customs agents as beggars.
He said he is contesting with members of his ‘Restoration Team’ to bring the peace which has eluded ANLCA. “There is no peace in ANLCA. We need peace. Without it, we cannot go forward. Under the past executive, the association lost its prime place in the industry; a lot of our members developed high blood pressure as Customs officers took advantage of them since there were no leaders who could stand for them.
He told ANLCA members that: “It is difficult for customs agents to quote for jobs now because of various Customs alerts. Recently, the Customs issued a memo stopping all sorts of frivolous alerts. It is our duty to follow it up, but unfortunately there was no doing the follow up.
“If the past leaders had done the right thing, my team would not come out. But we are in the ring again to restore and bring back the glory of ANLCA and we seek your support.
“If you give us the chance, we shall provide responsible, responsive, accessible leadership you can feel and touch. I will listen to you, address your complaints. I will be in charge and carry everybody along”, Nwokeoji promised, even as her assured that he would also give adequate attention to the womenf in the association.
Nwokeoji who is based in Port Harcourt said distance would not be a barrier for him to discharge his statutory functions as the ANLCA President, noting that with the ICT age and majority of his Restoration Team members based in Lagos, the ANLCA job would be perfectly done.
“Operating between Lagos and Port Harcourt is not the problem. What did we achieve despite having the president based in Lagos? Nothing. Over 80 percent of officers are in Lagos and they are very competent. Also this is a digital age; you can work anywhere once you have a good structure and team. Distance is not a barrier or issue,” said Nwokeoji, who said he has put close to 50 years in the job and has served the association in various capacities.
He maintained that,”it is God who crowns a king. No bigwigs can make a king. I am confident we are winning with the help of God.”
While also speaking at the event, Prince Olusegun Oduntan, the Vice Presidential Candidate, said he is going into the race in the interest of the profession and members.
Recounting his contribution as a former chairman of Tincan Island Port Chapter, Oduntan said customs agents were doing well as a result of the way and manner his administration handled and built good relationships with Customs, shipping lines and terminal operators.
“My vision is for all members to prosper. My happiness is for everyone to be happy. This is what ANLCA is known for, but we missed it under the immediate past executive. This is what the Restoration Team wants to bring back. Our members must feel and see the dividends of democracy.
“Vote for this team that is made up of tested former Vice President and chairmen who can deliver. If you vote for this team, you are voting for your progress, growth and future,” said Oduntan. He however promised to work with the President to grow ANLCA.
In his contribution, the Campaign Director-General of the Restoration Team, Mr. Biodun Ogunfowora, enjoined ANLCA members to vote for the team which is made up of tested and trusted and respected people. “I am happy with this team. Members need to vote and work with them to return ANLCA to the mainstream politics of shipping and maritime industry. They won’t do the job alone, we must support them.”
Recounting the loss in Owerri in 2018 by three votes, Mr. Joe Sanni, a former National Publicity Secretary of the association, said the mistake plunged ANLCA into a crisis that polarized members, describing the Restoration Team as a competent team.
He said “Sir Kingsley Emenike Nwokeoji is very competent. So also other members of the team. All I will say is that we should not lose this time around. I plead with our members to vote for Nwokeoji and others.”
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