The founder of the National Association of Approved Freight Forwarder (NAGAFF)Dr. Boniface Aniebonam has called on the need for professionalism amongst its members as he mentioned that they need to understand the importance of getting adequate education and becoming certified professionals in the industry.
He made this known on Friday during the 24th anniversary and awards of the association, which was held at Rockview Hotel, Apapa.
While giving his speech, Aniebonam advised that it’s not too late to learn and relearn as this will only help build one’s confidence.
He added as a reminder that the freight forwarders are agents of the shippers and therefore have no business in closing the ports but opening it.
According to him “Freight Forwarders are in charge of the arrangement of vessels, trucks done. We have no business of closing ports but opening it. You should negotiate freight and don’t forget that you are agents of the shippers. Without our profession, there is no maritime,” he concluded.
Speaking at the event, the National President of Nagaff, High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, said that the birth of the association, marked the beginning of emancipation and professionalism in freight forwarding in Nigeria with about 700 practitioners.
He added that the inception of Nagaff started with some number of persons and has now grown into over 10,000 registered members. And because of its zero tolerance to indiscipline, members have proven themselves to peaceful and law abiding.
Nagaff according to Ezisi, has boosted customs revenue by facilitating duty and excise payment on import and export trade transactions.
He disclosed, “Having successfully sustained professional freight forwarding practice for the past 24 years, we are currently working on digitalizing the records of NAGAFF members’ nationwide with an automated database”
Also speaking at the occasion, Acting Registrar, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Mrs Chinyere Uromta in her goodwill message commended NAGAFF academy for the upskill of over 2000 youths which has helped impacted in human capital development.
According to her, “Over 2000 graduates have emerged from NAGAFF academy, NAGAFF mandate is in line with the mandate of the Council, that is why NAGAFF Academy is commendable. We need to get it right this time in the Port, bring about enhanced productivity in the force level and mitigate cost and also ensure that we engaged in sensitization programs, we need to bring stakeholders closer and also I will enjoined management of the association not to relent in their efforts of setting things right in the Ports.”
The Chairman Organising Committee, Chief Chris Agbawodikeizu, thanked the chairman of the event, Barr. Dr. Hassan Bello, for standing strong with the Association, expressing gratitude to Capt. John Okakpu, the awardees and everyone present for their support in gracing the occasion.
The event which featured presentation of awards of excellence was graced by Comptroller Dera Nnadi, Customs Area Controller of TinCan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service; Barrister Bello Hassan, former Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Nigeria Shippers Council; Acting Registrar CRFFN, Mrs Chinyere Uromta; Dr. Farinto Kayode Collins, MD /CEO Wealthy Honey Investment Ng. Ltd; Captain John T. Okakpu, Chairman and Coordinator, Nigeria Agro Export Setup Committee among others. dignitaries from the Freight Forwarding industry, agencies amongst others.
Some of the awardees include Dr. Aniebonam, Chief Afam Chukwuma, DC Gambo Iyere Aliyu, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, Chief Emeka Okonkwo, High Chief Athanasius Ekechukwu Egwim, Emmanuel Ezisi, Aliyu Isa Ndako and others.
