Don calls for e-training of freight forwarders

The Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos, Professor Iyiola Oni has advocated the need for electronic training for freight forwarding practitioners in line with international best practices.

Professor Oni made this known during the maiden edition of Freight Forwarder’s Day 2018 celebration held in Lagos.

According to him, a robust online/real time programme for practitioners would launch the sub sector operators to the international community and to further create an avenue for global recognition.

He also affirmed that the practitioners in the sub sector of the maritime industry must be eager to crave for knowledge to enable them compete favourably with international counterparts.

Highlighting some of the challenges faced by practitioners, the varsity don lamented that only 10% of freight forwarding practice in Nigeria has been utilized by the operators, pointing out that freight agents have a major role to play in trade facilitation and transport logistics chain.

While appealing to the operators to participate fully in policies that could transform the industry, the varsity don urged the freight forwarders to embark on massive research , and further advise government on how to build human and capacity development in line with international best practice.

Speaking on the day’s celebration, the Professor described the National Association Government Approved Freight Forwarder’s (NAGAFF) as a touch bearer in freight forwarding practice in Nigeria adding that the industry needs total collaboration among practitioners to be a force to reckon with.

Also speaking, founder of NAGAFF, Dr .Boniface Aniebonam expressed satisfaction over government’s inauguration of governing board of the Council for the Regulations of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (NAGAFF).

Aniebonam urged freight forwarders and the new leaders of the council to ensure that the practitioners are protected in the line of discharging their duty.

Similarly, Chairman of the governing council, CRFFN, Alhaji Tsanni Abubakar who represented the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi called on practitioners to work together and address issues affecting freight forwarding business in Nigeria.