Task Citizens and Port Operators on Their Roles

Tony Iju Nwabunike, National President, ANLCA

The National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Hon. Iju Tony Nwabunike, has expressed the view that improved compliance by Agents and ports operators could enhance the enthronement of technological tools/applications in port operations in Nigeria.

In his Eid El Fitri message to Muslim faithfuls in celebrations marking the end of a month long Ramadan fast period, the ANLCA National President also charged Government agencies to ensure compliance on their regulatory duties irrespective of who is concerned.

According to him “Government agencies owe Nigeria and Nigerians duty to be compliant by discharging their duties without fear or favour and totally avoiding compromise of their positions for personal gains.  A holistic compliance will make technology work for us and present us truly as nation builders who obey the teachings of our religious leanings”.

“Any time I hear the word compliance as a parlance in our trade area used in addressing private sector players, I feel a sense of narrow mindedness by the users of such mode of communication. Going by way of a homily to address our secular audience in maritime, aviation and logistics sector, I want to urge politicians, and civil servants superintending over us, who are adherents of the faiths, to lead with the fear of God”, Nwabunike added.

Commending Muslim faithfuls for going through self denial during the Ramadan fast and combining it with alms giving, Nwabunike said “Indeed our Muslim brothers and sisters have gone through a period of self denial, persistently praying and always giving alms to the needy in line with the dictates of their faith”.

“These great virtues, which rub on our national life, teach us piety, love, tolerance and selflessness associated with the teachings of the revered Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)”.

“Whereas as a Catholic, our lent period this year coincided with many days of the Ramadan month, I know that the good works believers practiced during fasting can be sustained and continued after the fasting period. If we shunned schisms, showed more love and did works of charity during Ramadan, we can continue in that path forever as a way of re-creating a more peaceful and prosperous Nigeria”, Nwabunike stressed.

On how to unlock maritime potentials, the ANLCA Boss said “Obedience to rules governing our operations is the key to unlocking the many untapped but identified channels of successes. Specifically for our Muslim brethren, Eid El Fitri should not be seen as the end of being nice until the next Ramadan comes. It should not be a leeway to return to deviance and disobedience”.

On citizen responsibility Nwabunike declared “We all have roles in building our country and the trying times we have found ourselves places enormous responsibilities on our shoulders”, he concluded.