ANLCA helmsman, Hon Tony Iju breaks silence on attacks, invasions, re-opening of Secretariat

ANLCA helmsman, Hon Tony Iju breaks silence on attacks, invasions, re-opening of Secretariat

* Says NECOM may review sanctions on expelled members if * * *

Silence is golden. A great leader is a Man of few words. He speaks only when it matters most. Though he sees far beyond his subjects, he speaks only when a situation arises. When he does, he speaks with wisdom and insight.
He believes in the law of wisdom and his conscience is guided by principles of fairness and justice.

This is exactly what is playing out on the top leadership echelon of the foremost body of Customs brokerage in Nigeria – Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA).

The number one Man, who sits atop the leadership position of ANLCA as the
National President,
Hon. Prince Tony Iju Nwabunike has spoken. A Man with impeccable leadership pedigree, the great Colossus has broken his golden silence on latest invasion, sealing and re-opening of ANLCA’s Secretariat.

Hon. Nwabunike known for his open-door policy and sincerity of purpose said emphatically that genuine members of ANLCA working assiduously to move the association forward don’t support incessant attacks and destruction of the association.

Prince Nwabunike in his speech likened those behind recurring invasions of ANLCA’s Secretariat and destruction of office facilities worth millions of Naira to a Woman in the Biblical record, who stole another woman’s Son and wanted the child dead, so that the real mother would lose her Son.

Going further, the great Colossus applauded NECOM members who remain resilient and unwavering in taking the association to greater heights despite the challenges confronting them.

He enthused :
“It is imperative to appreciate all NECOM members who through the trying period joined me in working tirelessly for our organisation. The Board Members led by the Vice Chairman, Chief Ozo Chukwura, the Patrons, Chief Henry Njoku, National Vice President, Dr. Collins Farinto, National Secretary, Alhaji Babatunde Mukaila, National Financial Secretary, Hajia Bola Muse and other NECOM members for their commitment to truth, fairness and loyalty to our great association”.

He applauded :
“Worthy of commendation also is the steadfastness of our Western Zonal Chairman and Compliance Team in the face of recent impasse. I must commend the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali, who ordered the immediate reopening of our secretariat upon hearing all sides to the matter. The IGP’s fairness and commitment to peace in ANLCA has been very instructive right from his days as AIG Maritime.”

The Great Colossus pointed out :
“It has also become imperative to rebuild confidence in our teeming members and reassure them of absolute reliability from my leadership.”

He emphasised :
“In reality, there is no leadership tussle in ANLCA. The real leaders who would never want ANLCA destroyed are known.
Look at the Biblical analogy taken from 1 Kings chapter 3:16-28, where king Solomon used God-given wisdom to adjudicate between two mother’s over a disputed child. All that concerned the one who was not the child’s mother was destruction for everyone to lose out by having a baby cut into two parts, so each disputing mother will have half of the dead child. This never went well with the true mother, who would prefer losing her son to another woman than to have him killed.

“Genuine ANLCA leadership and its known Board of Trustees who won elections would not be part of arson, wanton attacks on the secretariat and pushing to get it locked up; or rejoicing whenever it is sealed. We are ever committed to the survival, growth and development of ANLCA and will not betray the mandate given us to lead it which expires in April 2023.”

“Recall that after an attack on our secretariat on October 6, 2020 by hoodlums armed with guns, cutlasses, charms and other dangerous items, we lost over N20 million worth of properties. Our members and secretariat staff on ground were harassed by hired thugs in that incident. While the Police and our national officers are taking inventory of losses incurred from recent attacks, without accusing anyone, some persons have started faulting our stock taking move in a panicky display. We won’t watch our dear association destroyed while we fold our hands.”

According to him:
“We will utilise all lawful means available to seek redress and get justice. A licensed Customs agent is not expected to be a thug or promoter of thugs to unleash attack on the secretariat of the foremost body of professionals in Customs brokerage in Nigeria.

“We are never part of “if we can’t have it, let’s destroy it mentality”. My administration has always been open to reconciliation in the interest of one united and indivisible ANLCA.

‘I hereby enjoin all our members across the country to continually be law abiding and report any attack or threat to the Police.

“I also extend the olive branch again to our former members who show remorse and true repentance. We may review the various sanctions ranging from suspension to expulsion and grant them amnesty for readmission, if they truly change and resolve to abide by our constitution”.

He stressed :
“This is not out of fear or cowardice and therefore should not be taken for granted, because under my watch any form of indiscipline or lawless behaviour will not be condoned. Our secretariat is functioning for our members to use for operation while as leaders we keep working towards a more peaceful and orderly body”.

In the same vein, Prince Nwabunike reacted to the controversy surroundimg Vehicle ldentification Number (VIN) valuation policy, even as he called upon government agencies to desist from abusive collection of samples from imported cargoes. He also frowned at alleged wanton extortions along port corridors and within the port.

His comment :
“We shall support government initiative at ensuring that regulatory and security agencies abide by their appropriately specified Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aimed at making our seaports, airports and approved border stations work in synchrony with international best practices”.