ANLCA Crisis: Our Members Are In Disarray, BOT Member Cries Out …Urges Henry Njokwu to Step Aside

By ZION Olalekan

Even as the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos last week discharged an order restraining elections into the western zone chapters of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) a member of the Board of Trustees of the association, Aare Sanni Shittu has raised an alarm that since the crisis that engulfed the BOT leadership last year, members of the association are now suffering.

Sanni Shittu told Nigeriamaritime360.com that ANLCA members are now in disarray because the association can no longer speak with one voice and advocate for change in government policies as it affects licensed customs agents at the port.

Speaking, Sanni said “since we had the crisis, things have not been the same, our members are in disarray, and in an environment like this, you cannot expect her to function, we are the pressure group that keep government agencies on their toes including Shippers Council, Shipping Companies, whenever things are going wrong , we come out to shout and react to it, but since we have been in disarray, everything has been standstill” he said

According to Aare Sanni who was a former National President of the association, he reasoned that  the problem in the ANLCA Board is self-made, he said the problem is as a result of two gentlemen dragging for who would be Chairman BOT.

The two gladiators are; Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha and Chief Henry Njokwu who has been Chairman of BOT for the past twelve years.

Shittu agreed that it is important for Chief Njoku to step aside and allow a Yoruba man become chairman of the group.

He said “I was Vice Chairman of the BOT, but in order for us to have our senses back and get it right, I have since relinquished my post as the Vice Chairman for peace to reign. In ANLCA, we have an internal democratic arrangement which says that if an Igbo man is President, a Yoruba man should be Chairman BOT, it is not a constitutional thing, but it is a working arrangement that would bring about peace”

“So far, the Oodua Maritime Setting which I belong has said that when an Igbo man is president, a Yoruba man should become BOT Chairman, So, as an individual I cannot go against this agreement, based on this, I have agreed that Chief Henry Njokwu should move out as Chairman of BOT and let the other party stay” he said

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