The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has said that contrary to the general believe, it has not granted approval to the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) to run its Academy.
Recall that the management of NAGAFF years back run an academy known as NAGAFF Academy in affiliation with the Redeemers’ University to train freight forwarders. The Academy, however, suffered a setback as it closed down for some years and could not continue. But, late last year, NAGAFF management revived the Academy and admitted students for training in the current academic session.
Speaking in an interview with our correspondent at the Council’s headquarters in Lagos on Monday, the Registrar, Barr. Samuel Nwakohu said, “You know they also wants to set up NAGAFF Academy, people may be hearing that. Well, the Council has not given them the approval.
“Even if you run an Academy, you issue what certificate? If you issue Ph.D and the Council say we did not recognize the Ph.D, is that a certificate? You can set up a school, you can set up probably, a University, so, we cannot stop them from setting up an Academy but what certificate they are going to issue is where we are going to come in.
“So, there are ways we can deal with these things. So, don’t expect us to jump out the way they jumped out, we have to know our position and know how we will respond adequately and I tell you we are responding.
“You met us in a meeting; we are responding to certain things, you are going to see some certain things coming up in few days. It is not the action that is important, it is our reaction, we are not to stop anybody. Even federal government does not stop you from demonstrating. There are peaceful demonstrations but if it becomes a nuisance, Police can even weigh in. So, we will act accordingly, that is the assurance we are giving you”, he said.
When contact for his comment on this, the founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam said, “Instead of CRFFN to come to our aid and remember, the concept of CRFFN basically is capacity building in terms of training and professionalism. Getting these boys to learn the act and skills that are required in carrying out their functions, you have done nothing and an organization duly registered by you is spending its own little money to educate these young freight forwarders, are you asking me that stupid question?
“Just recently, I was told they were asked to come and carry a computer, one UPS, one photocopying machine and printer. Just look at, how many years is the Council now? Thirteen years and what we are getting is one photocopying machine and look at the amount of money that have passed through the Council. But I am happy that I am hearing some rumours that even among them, some of them are calling for external audit of the Council. A day will come when somebody will look into all these with the spirit of anti-corruption that is in Nigeria now.”
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