· Eugene Nweke, Francis Omotosho, Chinyere Uromta lead race
There are indications that the governing council of the Council for the Regulations of Freight of Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) is set to appoint a substantive registrar of the council in a few weeks. This is even as a member of the Governing Council Dr. Kayode Farinto has also confirmed to our correspondent that the process of appointing a substantive registrar is almost completed.
Our correspondent gathered that leading the race in no particular order are: Dr. Eugene Nweke, a former president of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) who is believed to be highly cerebral with over a decade experience in the freight forwarding and logistic sector of the country.
On his part, Mr. Francis Omotosho is the current Registrar of the NAGAFF Academy, Shipping Position Daily gathered that his current position as registrar of the NAGAFF Academy stands him out as a very top contender for the position. Some have described him as a transformer who has the capacity to lead the council as the next registrar. Omotosho is also seen as a highly cerebral personality in the industry.
On her part, Mrs. Chinyere Uromta is the current acting registrar of the council. She is believed to have all it takes to lead the council, being the most senior director currently at CRFFN. She is also the only female contender in the race for the position. She is also seen as very close to the powers that be in the Council and believed to have the ears of the council’s chairman, Alhaji Tsanni Abubakar.
Our correspondent further gathered that the Council had called for an interview two weeks ago in Abuja for the purpose of selecting the best candidate for the job, but failed to do so as the candidates waited three days before flying back to their respective destinations.
The candidates, Shipping Position Daily gathered were furious owing to the financial implications as some of them who spoke to our correspondent in confidence said they lost over N500,000 to flight tickets and hotel reservations.
One of the candidates who could not openly express his disappointment and frustration, owing to the fear of being disqualified, told our correspondent that they were asked to go back without recourse to how much they have expended. He however confirmed that the interview will likely take place this week, after which the final selection will be done.
Recall that the Ministry of Transportation had stopped the Governing Council of CRFFN from recruiting a new registrar and making further procurements for the construction of its Abuja office over allegation of fraud in the Council
This was contained in a letter that emanated from the office of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, dated March 27, 2023 with reference number FMT/TPC/275/1/15. The letter was addressed to the Chairman, Governing Board of CRFFN, Abubakar Tsanni.
However, reacting to the alleged suspension of the Council from appointing a substantive registrar and the rescheduled interview, Dr. Kayode Farinto explained that, “there was a misconception, they were invited to Abuja last week (two weeks ago for interview, slight communication gap, and we rescheduled it and we had our Governing Council meeting in Abuja a day before yesterday”.
He confirmed that, “very soon they will be invited for an interview; about 11 of them; all those that applied will be invited for interview and there is a committee that will interview them, those shortlisted; and whoever wins will be employed through the regulations of the Council”.
On alleged suspension of the Council from appointing a substantive registrar, the ANLCA chieftain explained that the issue has been resolved as the Council made the Minister to understand that it is the Governing Council that has the right to appoint a registrar and not the Minister or the Ministry.
“Yes the report that they wrote, that the Council should not appoint a registrar is not unfounded, but it has been resolved. We made the Minister to understand that it is the Governing Council under the CRFFN Act that has the right to appoint the registrar. But you know the problem we have in the Council is much encroachment from the Ministry, the Ministry wants to treat the CRFFN Governing Council like every other board which is not so; take a copy of our Act, it is different ” he said.
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