Hon. Nwabunike Emerges As Chairman

…unfolds Plan Of Action

By FUNSO OLOJO

Hon. Tony Iju Nwabunike, the chairman, Chief executive officer of Mac Tonnel Nigeria Limited, has emerged as the chairman of the Freight Forwarders’ Council.
The council, which is empowered by an Act of National Assembly to regulate the activities and practice in the freight forwarding industry in Nigeria, was inaugurated early this month in Abuja by the Minister of State, Water Transportation, Prince Emeka Okechukwu.
To assist Nwabunike to steer the affairs of the Council for the next four years is Mr. Olanrewaju Hakeem who emerged as the Vice-Chairman.
The duo became victorious after an intense political horse-trading and compromise.
Feelers from the Abuja venue of the elections which were held last week Thursday indicated that eight contestants vied for the coveted positions but at the end of the shrewd electioneering campaigns among the 25-member council, six of the contestants eventually stepped down, leaving both Nwabunike and Hakeem as winners.
The Registrar of the council, who is expected to be the custodian of the secretariat, is expected to be decided at the next sitting of the council.
Chief Earnest Elochukwu, the President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) whom may have tipped to be the chairman of the council, was believed to have been disqualified from the elections.
It was learnt that his disqualification stemmed from his position in ANLCA which members believed could influence his decisions as the council chairman.
However, the two principal officers of the council have been warned not to be partisan nor have any affiliation to any freight forwarders associations but consider all stakeholders and associations as their constituency.
Meanwhile, Hon. Nwabunike, the new chairman of the council, has declared that his task would include professionalizing and re-orientating the freight forwarders in Nigeria.
In an exclusive chat with National Mirror shortly after his victory, Nwabunike, who is one of the most experienced freight forwarders in Nigeria, noted that the days of quacks and half-fits in the freight forwarding industry are over as the council would be strict and thorough in the registration process of persons allowed to practice as freight forwarders.
“We are going to separate the whiff from the chaff. We shall embark on series of orientation of practitioners in the industry to enable them know that the new era is here.
“Now that we are backed by law, the council shall emphasize professionalism and insist on training of freight forwarders” Nwabunike disclosed.
He further stated that any freight forwarder who is not certified by institutions recognized by the federal government would not be registered as freight forwarder.
“If you are not given RFF by the council (i.e. Registered Freight Forwarder) you will not be allowed to practice and Customs will not license you to engage in clearing activities in the port.
“The council will also work with other agencies of government, including Customs, on strict enforcement of certification and licensing of freight forwarders” the council chairman declared.
He noted that the new body shall step up its legal apparatus in a bid to enforce discipline and compliance with the rules.
“It is a new dawn for freight forwarders who are now liberated from long years of sufferings and neglect.” Nwabunike stated.
He also maintained that through the elections of eight members of the freight forwarders into the council and the elections of the principal officers of the council, the freight forwarders have shown the world that they are organized, focused and professional.
Nwabunike however gave his victory as the chairman of the council to God and the entire body of freight forwarders in Nigeria.