SIFAX boss, Afolabi emerges ANLCA BOT chairman
Chidi Ogbuokiri
Another milestone was recorded on Tuesday in Lagos by the Hon. Iju Tony Nwabunike’s led leadership of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), as the new Board of Trustees (BOT) members successfully elected their executive members, with the billionaire Chairman of SIFAX Group, owner of the prestigious MARIOT Hotel Lagos, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi emerging chairman of the Board.
In a hitch free process, which lasted less than five minutes, the Seven BOT members present at the event within themselves announced that they also elected Prince Ozor Chukwura as Vice Chairman and Chief Kingsley Offor as Secretary of the board.
The announcement of the board Executives was made by Alhaji Isa Aliyu also a member of the board from Kano Chapter after the ANLCA President has ordered all present in the hall to excuse the board members to carry out their election by themselves.
It could be recalled that ANLCA members in an Annual General Meeting ( AGM ) held in Owerri , capital of Imo State on 16th December 2021 elected new BOT members after the expiration of the former Board members tenure in February 2020. In an election that was carried out online (e- voting) due to the Covid19 pandemic, members voted and elected nine BOT members which were , Dr Taiwo Afolabi, Prince Ozor Chukwura, Chief Kingsley Offor, Alhaji Isa Aliyu, Igbaroola Eniola and Shamsideen Awopeju. Others were Obi Azodo, Abel Timothy Adekunle and Chief Igwe Christian Odinaka.
Addressing the gathering at Marriott Hotel in Lagos, the ANLCA president commended the board members and all ANLCA members for their supports and efforts in making sure the association remains one. He called on the board members, though they have been working, but to fully take charge and discharge their functions effectively to move the association forward.
On his part, the out gone board chairman and Patron of ANLCA, Chief Henry Njoku during his speech urged the board members to be firm and support the ANLCA, NECOM to succeed. He said he has seen it all in ANLCA and that he is grateful to the association as his history cannot be complete without ANLCA. Njoku also called on all members to eschew violence and continue in their peaceful path ,as according to him those who are violent and want to destroy the association will have their day with history.
Giving the vote of thanks, the ANLCA Vice Chairman, Dr Kayode Farinto thanked all the board members and urged them to take charge and stamped their authority by taking critical decisions that will stopped all the court cases and moved the association forward.
The ANLCA new board tenure is for six years and begins in December 2020 to 2026. The event has also rested the speculations in some quarters that the association has no new board.
Meanwhile, the ANLCA will be having its first National Executive Council ( NEC) Meeting with the new board. The ANLCA NEC meeting comprises of Board members, National Executive Committee (NECOM), all chapter chairmen and principal officers among others. The meeting is expected to take critical decisions and rectified some decisions, among them, those taken at the Owerri, AGM last December.