The Founder, National Association of Government Approved for Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) Dr Boniface Aniebonam has charged the maritime press to intensify an investigative reportage of activities in the ports from where they will be properly positioned to earn a dignified living.
Dr Aniebonam was speaking in Lagos, Thursday, at the commissioning ceremony of the new secretariat and press complex recently acquired in Apapa by the Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria ( MAJAN).
He charged the maritime press: “Go to the port and report the port so that you can earn money to take care of your responsibilities.”
On the lingering leadership crisis in a sister freight forwarding body, the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Aniebonam was full of regrets that the foremost freight forwarding body that parades distinguished leaders and elders has allowed issues that can be resolved with despatch to fester this long.
To address the matters in contention, he advised, all the elders in ANLCA should retreat and allow the younger ones to be in charge. He charged the press to dispassionately report and analysis views on this problem and contribute in the resolution.
Dr Aniebonam who doubles as the founder and spiritual leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) also implored the ANLCA and NAGAFF to come together and retrieve the freight forwarding sector from the vice grip of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).
In his goodwill message, Alhaji Babatunde Mukaila, Secretary- General of ANLCA, praised MAJAN’s outstanding performance in responsible reportage and advocacy for a better maritime sector. Mukaila spoke on behalf of the National President, Hon Tony Iju Nwabunike.
On the new secretariat, he said: “This is a bold step; it’s highly commendable. Once you can be traced to a particular office, it shows that you are reliable in what you are doing.”
ANLCA, he promised, would continue to partner with the press in moving Nigeria’s maritime sector forward.
In his contribution, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Apapa, represented by Mr Samuel Magaji (Assistant Commander, Narcotics), harped on investigative journalism and urged MAJAN members to always take their duty seriously.
