Following press reportage on the merits and demerits postures of some of the contestants, which the reporter thinks would be a likely scenarios on one hand and the varies of campaign posters uploaded on the social media for the post of Chairman and Vice Chairman of the CRFFN governing council by some of the governing council members on the other hand, I find it necessary to undertake a cursory look into the present constituted general board of the CRFFN council.
First the electioneering terrain shows, not a daisy foundation of interest but a decided outcome depending on the level of interest, interference and choice of the government on the contending contestants.
Base on the information or news piece in the public domain, I think as a critical stakeholder, I am compelled to take a second thoughts of this forthcoming governing council elections holding soon, then voice out objectively and expressively, this is because the election has the capacity and as a deciding factor to subsequently bring about either a robust professionally informed leadership or epileptic professionally misinformed leadership, that will drive the professional administrative affairs of the freight forwarding profession in the next two years, hence, the apprehension for a likely tendencies that may tilt towards thousands of practicing professionals being affected either positively or negatively.
As the reported ongoing horse trading/ intrigues gathers momentum, which lasts till the voting time, the unfolding scenarios portrays an obvious certainty and a near uncertainties, for the following reasons:
- Considering that, the practitioners elected 15 governing council members, while as the government is instrumental in the appointment of 17 representatives of the governing board. It then implies that, if the government interferes in this election by issuing matching orders to all its appointees to vote its choice candidates, then this informed my sense of disposition that the election had been decided (obvious certainty).
- If the elected practicing forwarders are united in the course of defending the freight forwarding profession, then, they must be unanimous to put up superior and germane positions that:
a). The governing council elections, shall not be open for contest by any government appointed representatives, as doing so, amounts to betraying the professional interests and the confidence of the practicing forwarders, who took out their time to decide, elect and repose leadership confidence on known and experienced industry professional colleagues to make professional regulations for their professional benefits and developments in the next two years.
b). Therefore, any act on the contrary is a deliberate defeat of professionalism and intendment of Act 16, 2007. This position has been the precedent on ground.
- In addition to this, is that, any elected practicing forwarders, holding any executive position, as the president of an accredited association, is not eligible to contest the Chairmanship /Vice Chairmanship positions to avoid compromise and divided interests.
- Insisting that the appointed ministerial representatives from the six geo political zones involvement in the council proceedings is purely, to raise objections on motions or protecting its respective zonal interests as it affects formulation of regulations it may consider or deems unreasonable or counterproductive to the interests of the forwarders in their particular zone of representation.
- Therefore, the practitioners expect the elected practicing forwarders in the governing council to demonstrate leaderships prowess, in this regards.
- However, if the elected practicing forwarders in the governing council plays to the gallery and allow either parochial interests or association nomenclature dichotomy to further divide them, then, they should watch out as Chairmanship position erodes them, because the government pursuance to its interest will always capitalizes on those things that divides us to keep us ever divided, government interest knows no bounds, as such leadership maturity and professional passion should prevail.
- If the elected practicing forwarders in the governing council are purposefully united on their determination and resolute to defend the freight forwarding profession, then , they can effectively lobby the 3 representatives of critical institutions and the representative of the Nigeria Customs for votes (via consultation, persuasion and negotiations), this was the established templates and tradition.
- Elected practicing forwarders in the governing council if united to professional course, can stage a walk out in the face of impositions that are inimical to professional disciplines.
- May I conclude by saying that if the elected practicing forwarders in the governing council settle for Vice Chairmanship position, alternating the Chairmanship to any representative, then the freight forwarding professionals may be unanimous to believe that a deliberate professional compromise took place thereby casting integrity doubts on the elected leaders.
- This press statement is without prejudice but borne out of passion to protecting my noble profession.
I rest my case, may we have no cause to say: “To Your Tent, O Forwarders”.
Thank you for your Attention.
Fwdr. Nweke Ifeanyichukwu Eugene
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