Dr Aniebonam
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has condemned the corrupt practices and excesses in the Maritime Sector of the Nigerian economy.
NAGAFF said such act negates and undermines the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam, Founder of NAGAFF made the assertion in Lagos during the unveiling of a 16-man committee to checkmate corrupt practices in the maritime sector.
The committee, codenamed “The NAGAFF Trade War” was inaugurated by Dr Aniebonam last weekend.
Addressing journalists during the event, Dr. Aniebonam said the formal unveiling, establishment and inauguration of what he described as a very strategic committee, aimed at confronting the escalating trade malpractices perpetrated by some government agencies and other critical stakeholders.
Dr Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam, Founder National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) (right) and Dr Increase Uche, former National President, NAGAFF and Chairman, NAGAFF Trade War Committee, during a press conference and inauguration of the NAGAFF Trade War Committee in Lagos at the weekend.
According to the NAGAFF founder, these practices directly threaten the cargo documentation and clearance value chain within the Nigerian port system, adding that the initiative is “hereby tagged the NAGAFF Trade War Committee.”
He said that the action was in response to the persistent exploitation, regulatory excesses, and operational bottlenecks experienced by traders, importers, and freight forwarding practitioners operating within the Nigerian port environment.
“Accordingly, the NAGAFF Trade War Committee is hereby constituted and domiciled in the office of the Founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders. The committee is mandated to undertake strategic trade advocacy, operational monitoring, policy intelligence gathering and institutional engagement aimed at addressing systemic inefficiencies and exploitative practices affecting port users and logistics operators across Nigeria’s international ecosystem.” Aniebonam asserted.
He lamented the current level of exploitation within the port environment, saying it undermines the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reiterating that the situation became more concerning when some presidential appointees within the maritime and port administration ecosystem appear not to be contributing effectively to the reform objectives of the administration due to allegations of corruption, regulatory capture, and weak institutional accountability.
Dr Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam, Founder National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) (third right), Dr Increase Uche, former National President, NAGAFF and Chairman, NAGAFF Trade War Committee (fourth right), flanked by some members of the committee, during a press conference and inauguration of the NAGAFF Trade War Committee in Lagos at the weekend.
“The Trade War Committee shall therefore function as an independent oversight and advisory platform, working closely with higher authorities to provide credible field intelligence, empirical evidence, and first hand operational reports from activities within Nigerian ports. The initiative is designed to ensure that the Presidency is furnished with unfiltered, evidence-based insights supported by verifiable documentation. Such information will support informed policy decisions, regulatory reforms, and strategic appointments within the maritime and port governance architecture, in line with the national anti-corruption framework,” the NAGAFF founder enthused.
Members of the committee in include Dr. Increase Uche-chairman, Chief Patrick Ogbo-research and trade intelligence; Dr Author Igwilo-Secretaty, Dr Fred Adjuzie-Operations and Strategic Coordination, Dr. Clement Iwegbuna-Media and Public Communication; Dr. Segun Musa-Special Duties, Ikechukwu Iwegbuna-Information Technology; Kelvin Mbachu-Information Technology, Miss Hilda Ometere- Special Duties and Barr. Brian Onyiuike-Legal Affairs.
Others are Barr. Peter Ofikwu-Legal Affairs, Barr. Ola Rotimi-Legal Affairs; Barr. Lawrence Ezeudu-Legal Affairs, Barr. Okwudili Alagbu-Legal affairs; Prof Iyiola Oni-Consulting and Strategic Advisory and Mr. Kingsley Anaroke-Media Consulting.
NAGAFF called on all relevant authorities, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders to cooperate with the initiative as they work collectively towards sanistizing the system, protecting the interests of genuine traders, and strengthening Nigeria’s position in global trade.
