Calls for Peace, honest Declarations and Compliance to Rules

As citizens all over the world celebrate Easter, the  National President, Association Of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Hon. Iju Tony Nwabunike, has called on importers, exporters and other port users to embrace the principles of love and tolerance as demonstrated by Jesus for the salvation of mankind.

In his Easter message to maritime stakeholders, Nwabunike sued for peace, tolerance, compliance to rules and adopting the right mental attitude necessary for national development.

According to Nwanbunike “We may all not be of same faith but the Easter message appeals to all mankind irrespective of religion, race and ot

Tony Iju Nwabunike, National President, ANLCA

her differences which adds to the plurality and beauty of the entire human existence. The selflessness of Jesus Christ, showing love and commitment to all by making the supreme sacrifice  without expecting reward in return while also seeking forgiveness for his persecutors , even at the point of death are indeed instructive”.

While calling for peace and forgiveness, the ANLCA National President said “Forgiveness should be freely extended amongst ourselves without being judgmental. For those of us who observed the forty days fasting which heralds Easter, it is time to resolve not to go back to anything ungodly”.

“Actions that exemplifies compliance to rules like honest declarations, payment of right duty demonstrated by Jesus in tax remittance when he talked about giving to Caesar what belongs to Caesar shouldn’t depart from us”.

To ensure a safer country and better economy Nwabunike emphasized that “Sincere declarations and being law abiding will not only give the declarant and agents peace of mind, it is a way of contributing to national economic growth for common good. Importers and international traders should avoid bringing things that hurts the health of consumers or inflame society such as hard drugs, arms, ammunition and unwholesome or expired consumables. If we are sincere, laudable initiatives like the electronic call up system will be implemented with ease without the observed hiccups in its implementation”.

Unemployment

Addressing the issue of unemployment in the country, the ANLCA Boss stated that though the figures surge, curbing it is possible.

In his words “Nigeria’s Unemployment Rate which Increased to 33.3% in last quarter 2020 from 27.1% in second quarter of last year according to National Bureau of Statistics, is not irreversible. More productive employment can be generated under an atmosphere of increased compliance”

“The number of persons in the economically active or working age population (15 – 64 years of age) during the reference period of Q4, 2020 was 122,049,400 out of an estimated population of over 200 million persons. The maritime industry still holds the ace for supporting other economic activities and as participants in this sensitive sector, let us rise to be counted among those who improved our economy in our time” Nwabunike said

Lamenting inequalities in the system, he stated that many are active but truly not productively engaged due to possible factors like greed causing fewer persons to hold grip on common wealth while active workers are mostly underpaid.

Reiterating his resolve to forgive and work for the good of all, Nwabunike stressed that he has forgiven all those who wronged him.

“Like I reiterated in my New Year message, I have forgiven those who hurt me in the course of my being of service to professional colleagues. For me it is the best way to celebrate this season of love, sacrifice and soul searching reflections”.

“Jesus has given us examples to emulate this season and always. May God’s love and blessings reign in our lives, families, careers and association’s now and always.

The resurrection power God manifested in Jesus is truly a symbol of hope that things can get better than they were yesterday and opportunities in our future are limitless. Let us therefore make sacrifices for common good, be forgiving, avoid greed, run away from act of betrayal and shun lust for earthly wealth at the detriment of common good”, the ANLCA National President said.