ANLCA: Nwabunike harps on integrity, basic work Ethics as Eastern excos assume office

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Integrity, Consistency, Speed, ICT inclined and Observing Basic Work Ethics have been pointed out as hallmark for effective leaders by Iju Tony Nwabunike, National President, Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA).

Nwabunike who made the disclosure in Portharcourt at a workshop, organized shortly before the inauguration of the Eastern Chapter of ANLCA.

He stated that making themselves accessible & exhibiting decent behaviour are also essential, the president therefore urged the new executive and members to be worthy ambassadors of ANLCA in their day to day dealings.

He stated: “The ANLCA brand is one deserving of promotion by anyone who prides himself or herself as our member. Collectively, we owe the organisation credible representation because the degree of our individual integrity rubs off on the umbrella body we all associate with.

“Whereas the licences issued to us by Nigeria Customs Service were given in the names of our companies, at the bottom line these companies are linked to persons and it is the persons that take actions or perpetuate inactions with which our collective body (ANLCA) could be judged.

“We presently have over 2000 of these licencees on our membership list strategically contributing to government objective of running a more modern port system and helping various government organisations to achieve their respective standard operating procedures (SOP)

Nwabunike

“There is an average of eight employees attached directly or indirectly to each ANLCA member company or licencee which translates to 2000 X 8 = 1.6m persons.

“The aggregate image of 1.6 million individuals operating in the Nigerian maritime community in the 21st century is what we now want to look at.

“Our count involves the MD, his administrative (Secretary, accountant, security, office assistant) and operational staff (who visits ports to follow up with examinations, truck drivers and others) who get employed under the company and licence. This include people who use your licences to stamp their jobs

“There are copious improvements in various walks of life and the freight forwarding sector is not left behind.

“I have earlier explained that an average of 1.6million persons have a duty to project a positive image of ANLCA inside out to Nigerians and the world.

“Having your name on the ANLCA register should be able to earn you trust and credibility before importers, agents of government and the general public.

“In the course of our job, we relate with not less than eleven agencies of the federal government alone including Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, Department of State Service,Nigeria Police, Nigeria Environmental Standards Regulatory Enforcement Agency, Federal Inland Revenue Service and others too numerous to mention.

Profiling of an organisation or person that interfaces with these organisations where adequate records are kept becomes easier because his name and company has passed through or have been recorded by their various systems at various points in time

Also speaking at the meeting, a patron of the association, Chief Henry Njoku admonished on the need for leaders in ANLCA to be selfless and committed to the values that hold the association together.

Njoku a former Board of Trustees Chairman of the body also sued for peace as a way of building a stronger body. He commended the newly inaugurated officials for their maturity and sportsmanship before, during and after the Eastern Zone Chapters election