By Joshua Yousouph
In a bid to build capacity and enhance training among freight forwarders in Nigeria, Redeemers University has trained not less than 23 members of the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN) in Freight Forwarding, Business Management and Logistics Certification.
Speaking during the Certificate award ceremony which held at the association’s headquarters in Lagos over the weekend, the National Secretary of AREFFN and Chairman of the occasion; Mr Frank Obiekezie noted that the association has successfully trained the first batch of its members.
Obiekezie alleged that the CRFFN has not been adequately involved in the training of freight forwarders which had led to a deficit of in-depth knowledge and expertise amongst freight forwarders. He however called on the management of CRFFN to up their game by ensuring that registered freight forwarders are adequately trained in their noble profession.
While commending the trained freight forwarders, Obiekezie stressed that successful candidates will be documented for future recommendations when the need arises.
“I have written a letter to them (CRFFN) that they are supposed to be part of it, if not entirely financing this programme. The core mandate of CRFFN is to train freight forwarders and they collect money for it. 20 percent of POF is for training when there’s a training like this a CRFFN is no where to be found, then they are lacking in their mandate”, he lamented.
“We are happy AREFFN has set sail in training this first batch of trailblazers. We shall have a data bank of all of our members who have gone through this training so that you can be recommended when opportunities arise. So that where we are recommending you, we shall be assured that you would properly represent us. It is expected that after taking this course you will become different from an average freight forwarder. This is a landmark and it would remain indelible in the history of AREFFN. I want to commend those of you that mustered the courage and finance. You have gotten a knowledge that can never be wasted. The knowledge you have acquired can be applied anywhere ” Obiekezie concluded.
On his part, the Programme Coordinator and Representative of the Department of Transportation Management, Redeemers University in Ede Osun State, Dr. Ademola Irinyemi noted that for over 10 years, the Redeemers University has been the pioneering institution supporting CRFFN and FIATA in the regulation of the practice and profession of freight forwarding in Nigeria.
Dr Irinyemi noted that the essence of the training is to expose freight forwarders to the dynamics of freight forwarding practice, logistics and supply chain adding that the University has been able to train members of other associations such as the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), among others.
He also informed that the programme is in three levels which consists of the Certificate, Diploma and also International Higher Diploma. He however encouraged the students not to stop at the certificate level. but aspire to acquire more knowledge in their professional.
” This is the foundation which will determine what the structure would look like. You have started on a good note and in the next few years, you would be glad you did. The essence of this training is to expose us to the dynamics of freight forwarding practice, logistics and supply chain. Freight Forwarding is not a localized industry, but a globalised one and the industry is evolving. We have trained a lot of people, but I would say AREFFN is different”.
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“I would encourage you to keep moving and acquiring more knowledge. Don’t stop at the certificate level. We have three levels which consist of the Certificate Level which is the foundational level, the Diploma level which is under the full coordination of FIATA under the auspices of CRFFN and also International Higher Diploma. Anyone with the FIATA Higher Diploma certificate can be able to work anywhere in the world because freight forwarding is not restricted to Nigeria but a global discipline”, Dr Irinyemi said.
Also speaking, Barrister Emmanuel Ohambele, Legal Adviser of AREFFN, emphasised the importance on education among freight forwarders. He however noted that adequate and proper education will expose all freight forwarders to their rights without being cheated or trampled upon by government agencies and other port players.
On his part, the AREFFN Chairman of Trade Facilitation Committee in charge of training Mr Kingsley Maduka while giving the closing remark appreciated the management team of Redeemers University for deeming it fit to expose and educate members of AREFFN on the profession of freight forwarding.
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