By Innocent Orok
It was an atmosphere of excitement and joy as the National President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Emenike Nwokeoji, led the National Executive Committee (NECOM) on Thursday to reopen the Chapter Secretariat of ANLCA at Tin Island Port. The ANLCA No 1, also led his team to a strategic visit to the Customs Area Controller of Tin Can Island Customs Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka.
During the visit to Comptroller Onyeka, Nwokeoji commended him for his efforts in streamlining cargo alerts and eliminating unnecessary delays in cargo clearance. He also introduced the newly elected executives of the Tin Can Island Chapter, led by Prince Olawale Cole to the Controller, while reinforcing ANLCA’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with the customs command.
Acknowledging the synergy between ANLCA and the command, Comptroller Onyeka praised the association’s role in boosting revenue generation, expressing optimism about sustaining and surpassing set targets.
The ANLCA President also inspected the newly renovated Tin Can Chapter Secretariat, where he engaged his members in a candid discussion on operational challenges. He urged members to channel their concerns through the chapter executives for swift resolution and lauded the chapter for establishing a health center and sick bay—an initiative he pledged to replicate at the national level.
During the interactive stakeholders meeting, Tin Can Chapter Chairman Prince Olawale Cole assured freight forwarders of inclusive leadership and a unified front to address operational challenges. He announced plans to mobilize past and present leaders from various freight forwarding associations—including APFFLON and NAGAFF to create a collaborative platform for tackling industry issues.
To ensure direct engagement, Cole committed to releasing three dedicated helplines, including his personal number, for members to report concerns. He further unveiled plans to establish committees that will oversee specific operational challenges, emphasizing the need for a collective approach rather than competition.
“This is a new dawn for Tin Can,” Cole declared. “We are forming one big family, working together to reposition the chapter. Our members have suffered due to disorganization, but with a united front, we will build a stronger, more effective structure.”
He urged stakeholders to embrace teamwork, assuring them that the secretariat would remain accessible to all, regardless of past affiliations. “There is no faction anymore, Tin Can is under one umbrella.
“Together, we will achieve a thriving and well-coordinated freight forwarding community,” Cole assured.
