Easter: Nwabunike sues for peace in Maritime industry 

The National President of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Hon. Tony Iju Nwabunike has called on government officials and politicians not to be carried away in the euphoria of political campaigns while some Nigerians are in the custody of kidnappers

Ostensibly making reference to the recent attack on Kaduna/Abuja train where hundreds of persons were kidnapped and some lost their lives.

He therefore called on stakeholders to pray for quick release of the Nigerians in the den of kidnappers and terrorists.

He made the appeal in his Easter message to members and entire practitioners in the total logistics chain.

He maintained that Nigerians are entitled to be happy because of the enormity of potentials in the country but rued that the potentials are yet to be harnessed.

“With these in mind, I call on the government, especially politicians at the helm of affairs, not to be subsumed by the hysteria of present campaigns and forget that some citizens are away with kidnappers this Easter season.

“Let’s supplicate for victory from God in favour of our armed forces who stay awake and alert at all times to keep us safe. Their victory is our safety

“We are entitled to being happy because we are part of a blessed country, whose true potentials are yet to be fully harnessed for collective benefits.

The ANLCA boss also called for peaceful co-existence among stakeholders and members of the group.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Mac Tonnel Limited in his message, said that “Apart from being symbolic in many ways, Easter celebration also signifies a lot for mankind in different spheres – Peace, sacrifice, loyalty, politics, economy and social areas.

“Potentials of a peaceful Nigeria are limitless and whenever or wherever peace is lost, the results includes instability and lack of a cohesive direction.

“Let’s not allow the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to redeem mankind, His loyalty to the cause for which He was sent, His example to us to pay our taxes ( giving to Caesar what belongs Caesar) and the fellowship with others through the last supper, to be lost on us as we celebrate.

“He also promoted peace when he stopped Peter from trying to resist His arrest and miraculously reinstated a chopped off ear during the period . This was good of example peace, love and tolerance.

“Let’s also also not get tired of praying for Nigeria, especially in the area of security and pray fervently for the release of our fellow countrymen and women being held by terrorists.

“The ill fated Kaduna bound train that was attacked recently did come as one attack too many on our developing transport infrastructure and threatened the growing hope we have in moving cargoes from seaports to the hinterland.

“It could have been anyone else because we are not more safety or security conscious than the victims who boarded a Federal Government train with assurances of security

“This occurrence also sets back the anticipated seamlessness that cargoes ought to have moved from Lagos and Port Harcourt to Kano and Kaduna States.

“Insecurity in Nigeria touches everyone in adverse ways, we can’t pretend about it. It has driven the cost of doing business higher, increased time spent, reduced returns on investments and affected the joy of many.

“Our ports are not properly utilised if import and export cargoes suffer clogs in the logistics chain. From the farmer of export produce ,whose field is occupied by terrorists to the dockworkers waiting to assist in the loading and unloading of cargoes, we are all involved.

“Our collective interest is in the cargo because from it government revenue is gotten, remuneration for employees made, service charges collected and profit from warehousing and sales are obtained,” he submitted.