CRFFN explains Chairman absence at NAGAFF anniversary

——-says action not meant to slight Aniebonam.

The Chairman of the Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarding Practice in Nigeria (CRFFN), Alhaji Tsanni Abubakar, has cleared the air on his absence at the 20th anniversary of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) held recently in Lagos.

The Founder of NAGAFF, Boniface Aniebonam, had lambasted CRFFN Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar, for not physically present at the event but instead dared to send a representative.

The irate Aniebonam had reminded the CRFFN Chief that the council came into being through the untiring efforts of NAGAFF and wondered what gave the Chairman the audacity not to honour the invitation of NAGAFF to its event.

But one of the aides of CRFFN Chairman who is also a member of Freight Forwarders Investigation Panel of CRFFN, Miftahu Ya’u, explained that the absence of Alhaji Abubakar was not intentional nor attempt to slight NAGAFF and its Founder.

He explained that the NAGAFF event coincided with the ground breaking ceremony of the University of Transportation at Daura which was attended by President Mohammadu Buhari-, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and other dignitaries.

“As an indigene of Katsina state where the University was sited, it is a mark of courtesy that Alhaji Abubakar has to be present to receive Mr President and other dignitaries” Ya’u noted.

He reminded Aniebonam that the CRFFN Chairman was the person who chaired the Freight Forwarders Day Celebration convened by Aniebonam last year.

Ya’u expressed shock at the caustic remark of Aniebonam over the absence of CRFFN Chairman, advising the NAGAFF Chief to be circumspect of his words as a respected statesman.

“It is surprising that despite the high-powered delegation under Hon. Austin Kelly, member of the Governing Council who represented the Council Chairman at the event, the NAGAFF Founder was still not pleased .

“Instead of appreciating the noble gesture of strong respect the council chairman has for the association, the physical absence of the chairman was misinterpreted and perceived as intentional by the founder of NAGAFF whose image the Council holds in high-esteem.

“The founder should be reminded that the CRFFN Chairman was the one that chaired last year anniversary of the association held in Lagos and had the same intention of attending this year’s event had the event not coincided with the national event of inauguration of the Transportation University at Daura as mentioned earlier.

“For these reasons, the NAGAFF founder is hereby advised as a leader to make statements that will further boost the smooth and mutual working relationship between the council and the association.

“The chairman wishes to once again on behalf of the Governing Council congratulate the association on its 20 years of achievements and prayed for its attainment of greater heights in the future”, Miftahu Ya’u concluded.