The campaign media team of the group of nine Like -minds, contesting the Board of Trustees, BoT of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA has expressed confidence in the group’s capacity to transform the association’s fortunes in collaboration with the National Executive Committee, NECOM.
Speaking during a meeting with members of the association in the Western Zone in Lagos on Tuesday, Messrs Joe Sanni and Sulaimon Ayokunle described the nine candidates as the most innovative and stunning political engineers in ANLCA’s history, poised to address the association’s problems and challenges.
They emphasized the candidates’ commitment to revitalize the association’s unity by galvanizing the old and young, victors and losers back into the ANLCA family circle as one indivisible whole.
“Yes, presently, campaign is ongoing and we all know that campaign is about camps and promises, about political alignment and realignment, but we can tell you that after this elections have been lost and won, let’s make no mistake about it, we are upbeat that the nine-like-minds will emerged victorious. But that is even the most beautiful part of it because, it will be time to engage in a more radical mending of fences, nurturing and building of partnership.
“The group of nine-like-minds are perfect gentlemen, you can quote us on that any day. They are builders, conciliators and motivators; they are balm to bruised egos, they are elders and father-figures; they will embrace those who lost and carry them along.
“That’s the difference between the ‘men and the boys’, permit the cliché as used, be rest assured that under this context, it is not derogatory but complimentary. We are giving you an insider view and understanding of the group of nine… There has been nothing like it in the history of the association. Call them the nine wise elders and you’re not far from the truth. They have pondered, reflected and come to the conclusion that ANLCA must be salvaged without losing any member, where it is humanly possible”, Ayokunle said.
They explained that the nine-like-minds are focused at making the board, through a transparent electoral process, stave off further crisis in the association.
Speaking on the upcoming ANLCA BoT election, Secretary of the Customs Consultative Committee, CCC, Dr. Eugene Nweke said it is not an all comer’s affairs but for those who can contribute meaningfully and positively.
His words: “The Board of Trustees plays a crucial role in ensuring the organization’s success, accountability, and sustainability. It is therefore, important to ensure that the process of selecting or electing individuals, who ascend into the organization’s Board, is premised on a clearer understanding of the official demand of the exalted office.
“Furthermore, the essence and focus here is for a would-be Board member to understand his place in the organization, and stay within the ambit of his trusted bits, so as to guarantee administrative fluidity and cohesion at all times, devoid of cross functions, and misplacement of interests.”
Campaigns for the election are ongoing and it is important that members and voters alike rise above narrow sentiments and consideration, and to ensure they vote the best candidates, candidates that will join hands with the national leadership to build on the gains so far recorded.
Undoubtedly, members know the history of the association’s petty and bitter politicking and it is imperative that they vote into the Board, only candidates with genuine aspirations to contribute to the unity, stability, and resourcefulness of the association in the overall gains of all members.
This is where the Group of 9 like-minds already making waves comes in, namely Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha, Chief Dennis Okafor, Mr. Dayo Azeez, Alhaji Tunde Awonuga, Sir Ernest Elochukwu, Chief Sunday Momoh, Mr. Ademola Mumuney, Mr. Kingsley Offor, and Alhaji Mohammed Utai.
Their common resolve is to pursue with unremitting energy the unity of the association and the affinity of members as a launch pad to returning it to full reckoning and respectability, in collaboration with the National Executive Committee, NECOM.
The group of nine like minds has developed a programme that will include a draft bill proposal for the charter of the Institute of Customs Brokers of Nigeria. It will lead to the professionalization of Customs Brokerage in Nigeria, which they wish to pursue in conjunction with the NECOM.
The group has also outlined plans to collaborate with NECOM to undertake a holistic review of the 2013 Supreme Constitution of ANLCA as amended, pursuant to its registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC.
According to the group, upon being voted into office, it would reach out to the management of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS with a view to facilitating a scheduled programme of training for members at the Command & Staff College, Gwagwalada, Abuja, as an interim measure, for the continuous upgrade in capacity building of customs brokers.
The 9 BoT like-minds pledged to interface with the Nigeria Customs Board to seek ways of addressing a number of identified challenges that includes a relaxed time frame for renewal of operating licenses, inclusive of the cost review; amongst other matters of common interest to both entities.
The progress of the association lies in unity and leadership stability, which alone can promote the right atmosphere to continue to work for the benefits of all members. It is for these reasons that members and voters alike in the coming Board election should make the group of nine their choice.
It is the only wise and beneficial choice since in the end, these are the only candidates that have their genuine interests at heart and have the wherewithal to aggregate and propel their needs and desires.
In fact, ANLCA needs these men of wisdom, men of peace and integrity more than any other time. They have the capacity to deliver and to hand over a united, reinvigorated, rebranded, and professionally refocused, crisis free ANLCA to the younger generation.
The BoT 9 like minds will bring to an end the ugly spectre of discord, acrimony and discordant tunes in lieu of power struggle and divisiveness in the customs brokerage and freight forwarding community.
No doubt, this fresh air of peace and unity will in turn attract the attention of stakeholders and relevant authorities to begin to increase their relationship and partnership with ANLCA, which will be to the ultimate benefit of all members, practitioners and the industry.
Some of them you already know and can attest to their integrity and doggedness in standing for ANLCA with everything they have, the others have been around, working from behind the scene, supporting and helping to shape the future of the association.
Photo: (L-R) Mr. Segun Oduntan ANLCA National Vice President, Mr. Dayo Azeez, Mr. Ademola Mumuney and Alhaji Tunde Awonuga during the campaign tour of Western Zone by the Group of Nine like minds.
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