APFFLON applauds CGC Adeniyi on approval of capacity building workshop for freight forwarders

APFFLON applauds CGC Adeniyi on approval of capacity building workshop for freight forwarders

The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria, APFFLON, has applauded the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, CGC Bashir Adawale Adeniyi MFR, for approving a 5-day Adminstrative and Operational Awareness Training programme for freight agents.

The National President of APFFLON, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite gave this commendation, saying the programme came in the nick of time it matters most.

Frank Ogunojemite, said that the well attended workshop, held at Customs Training College, Ikeja from March 11 – 15, 2024, was a huge success.

He pointed out :  “According to the Nigeria Customs Service, the training for Agents, was targeted at providing comprehensive insight and guidance on the emerging administrative and operational trends in Customs Clearance Processes.

“APFFLON wishes to state that the workshop was a proof of the CGC’s commitment to human capital development. We thank him for approving the training and also thank every Freight Forwarder who participated in the programme as well.”

The words of Otunba Frank Ogunojemite :  “The large turn out of freight forwarders was a clear indication of their quest to acquire more knowledge to enhance their operations in the maritime industry.

“APFFLON was highly impressed by their responses and we must give kudos to the Comptroller General of Customs for approving the workshop, all Commands’ Area Controllers and the facilitator, Comptroller Oluyomi Adebakin. We want to say here that freight forwarders are happy with the gesture.

“As we commend the CGC, we also want to use this medium to urge him to always carry stakeholders along to WCO programmes and other international conferences. All these will make positive impacts on individual participants and transform them to true professionals.

“APFFLON wishes to also use this medium to appeal to other government agencies to toe the line of Customs, by regularly organising trainings and sensitisation programmes for freight forwarders.
We urge Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency- NDLEA to borrow a leaf from the Nigeria Customs Service.”

On the opening up of Apapa Port corridor by the Lagos State Government, APFFLON commended the Lagos State Governor, His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo- Olu, for the heroic feat.

He said; “we believe that freight forwarders and other maritime stakeholders are also happy. The decision was a noble one, and we applaud the collaboration. A lot had happened on that corridor, many lives had been lost, while some have been permanently disabled trying to navigate that corridor. Before now, going to Apapa through that route was a big risk. APFFLON cannot thank the Governor enough, we admire his courage and will power, as we hope and pray that the new order be sustained.”

APFFLON President also commended the authorities for clearing the shanties raised along port access road. He added;  “we are of the opinion that those things that do not portray us well as a nation are not supposed to be allowed, especially in a metropolitan city like Lagos. The port environment should be kept cleaned always because it is an international business area.

“Once again, we thank freight forwarders who made out time to partake in the workshop and urge them to always make themselves available for such programmes in future because knowledge, they say, is power”, he emphasised.