ANLCA Abuja Peace Accord ratifies Mustapha as BOT chairman

By Abiodun OBA

The Customs Consultative Council (CCC) on behalf of the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service during a resolution meeting, took far reaching decisions aimed at ending the age-long crisis rocking the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA).

The meeting annulled previous decisions taken at the National Executive Council (NEC) meetings of both the Board of Trustees and the NECOM.

The controversial constitution amendment exercise carried out by Tony Iju Nwabunike in 2020 which elongated his tenure in office to 5-years, was also cancelled, while the association would now adopt the 2013 constitution.

The Abuja Peace Accord according to sources at the meeting, took the following decisions:

“The BOT as constituted by the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) was ratified, so there are no more issues in the board as Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha continues to be the BOT chairman.

“The Association Electoral Committee (ASECO) was asked to start preparing for election within one month, subject to the ratification of their suspected lack of practicing licenses which the group promises to investigate.

“Farinto was asked to leave the office, while the administration of the association should be handed over to the BOT.

“All previous actions taken by the two warring factions, including the appointment of Alhaji Babatunde Mukaila as Sole Administrator by the BOT were all annulled”

Special guest of Honor at the Resolution meeting, Barr Hassan Bello, immediate past Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers Council, called on Dr Farinto and National Publicity Secretary of ANLCA, Mr Joe Sanni to give peace a chance, and that they should stop issuing further write-ups and press releases.

Important personalities invited to the peace meeting to share their wealth of leadership experiences included Chief Peter Eloka Okocha, Sir Ernest Elochukwu, Prince Shittu Olayiwola, Barrister Hassan Bello (Special guest of honor), Eze Amb. Damian Obianigwe, Chief Oye Ariyo, Toyin Odeyemi.

The Customs Consultative Committee seven (7) man Committee was chaired by Aare Hakeem Olanrewaju, supported by other Committee members like DCG Austen Warikoru, ACG Liman Bello (Rtd), Mrs CFO Ezenwa, CAC Dimka Victor Rtd, Alh. Inua Mohammed, Dr Eugene Nweke (Secretary).

Representatives from both factions were also present at the meeting.

The official Communique of the Abuja meeting later issued by the Secretary of the Customs Consultative Council, Chief Eugene Nweke also confirmed that the much-awaited ANLCA elections would now hold in August 2023.

Highlights of the meeting issued by Nweke:

Adoption of Constitution 2013 as the official registered Constitution as a working document.

Adoption of the present CRFFN BOT STRUCTURE – to be followed by a Board Election after the NECOM ELECTION.

Adoption of the present composition of ASECO with a caveat that ASECO members’ operating licenses validity will be verified with the NCS.

The same treatment is applicable to the BOT.

A Caveat reached to the effect that, licenses confirmed not to be valid, implies that such license owner will be dropped from being a member of the ASECO/BOT.

The NECOM to remain in office in the next two weeks and hand over to the Board.

The Board joined efforts with the ASECO to supervise and conduct a NECOM ELECTION in the subsequent two weeks.

NECOM ELECTION holds before the end of August, 2023.

Character/ Integrity and Capacity should be given a priority in choosing leaders across board.

Aspirants to conduct themselves with high sense of Integrity and maturity, and educate their followers and supporters.

A Press Release to be jointly signed by the BOT Chairman and Vice to enlighten members on the accord reached.

The CCC to monitor the progress of accord Implementation and the electoral process.

The CCC to host post Election Dinner in Lagos.