Emenike has restored peace in ANLCA- VP Oduntan, members eulogize President on 68th birthday in Lagos

Members of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), along with friends and associates on Thursday gathered in Lagos to celebrate the  birthday of the National President, Emenike Nwokeoji, who turned 68 on May 30, 2024.

The celebration, hosted by ANLCA Vice President Segun Oduntan, was the third in a series of events organised to honor Nwokeoji, following earlier gatherings with family and friends in Akwa Ibom and Port Harcourt.

The event attracted ANLCA bigwigs, including members of the National Executive Committee (NECOM), Chapter Chairmen, ANLCA Patron Prince Taiye Oyeniyi, President of Oodua Maritime Forum, Chief Oye Ariyo, among others.

In his goodwill message, Prince Oduntan lauded Nwokeoji for successfully bringing peace to the association, which had been plagued by years of crisis.

He noted that under Nwokeoji’s leadership, ANLCA has experienced a period of much-needed tranquility, crucial for business to thrive.

“We thank God for the profession that God has laid in our hands. Somebody was asking the President what would be his legacy, as we are almost two years in office. The President answered him and said he has restored peace in ANLCA by 90 percent.” Oduntan stated.

Oduntan recalled how he encouraged Nwokeoji to run for the presidency during the five-year period of crisis to prevent the association from declining further.

His words, “I told him, if you don’t take this throne now, nobody would do it, the profession was nose-diving at the time, and we were able to convince him.

” I think today, what we call stakeholders engagement which has hitherto died between customs and our association has now been restored.

“If I am not mistaken, our people at the chapter level can attest to it, and this is part of the good works and recommendations that the President has done.”

He emphasized that one of the core manifestos of Nwokeoji’s “Restoration Team” was to bring back peace, a promise that has been delivered.

He added that stakeholder engagement between ANLCA and government agencies, has also been restored under Emenike’s leadership.

Oduntan also stressed the importance of integrity for customs brokers, urging ANLCA members to emulate Nwokeoji.

He underscored the association’s insistence that all NECOM members and chapter executives hold valid licenses and operate thriving personal businesses to maintain the association’s integrity.

On his part, Prince Taiye Oyeniyi, ANLCA Patron, praised Nwokeoji’s humility and firmness.

He appealed to NECOM members to operate as a united family, resolving internal issues cohesively.

“I want to appeal to our NECOM to look at themselves as one big happy family, so that they can always solve their problems internally, a house divided against itself can never stand.” he said.

Chief Oye Ariyo, President of Oodua Maritime, offered heartfelt prayers for Nwokeoji, acknowledging the transformation within ANLCA under his leadership.

“ANLCA was in trouble before you came onboard, but by the Grace of God, there is peace now across the divide,” Ariyo said.

Barrister Raymond Oyinmba, Principal Staff Officer (PSO) to the ANLCA President, described Nwokeoji as a “teacher, a true Christian, and a molder of good character.”

Oyinmba remarked that Nwokeoji’s leadership style, characterized by a lack of manipulation and a respectful approach to all, has brought an end to past troubles in various chapters, including Port Harcourt and Lagos.

Earlier, Women and Council of Elders group from the Murtala Muhammed Airport chapter visited the President at the Secretariat, offering praises and prayers for restoring peace to the association.

Bolatito Kareem, speaking on their behalf, expressed gratitude for the renewed peace at their chapter, which has positively impacted business.

Responding to the outpouring of tributes, Nwokeoji, visibly moved, expressed his appreciation, noting that he doesn’t typically remember his own birthdays.

He thanked everyone for their gifts and visits.

When asked about sustaining peace within the association, Nwokeoji acknowledged that “sustenance of peace is in the hands of God.”

He emphasized the human effort in educating members and fostering understanding, particularly among those who may still harbor grievances from past elections.

“Some people that lost election during my time, by now, I expect that the pain should have gone down and for them to prepare for the next one, but they are still trying to undermine all our activities,” he noted.

Despite these challenges, Emenike affirmed the association’s commitment to using wisdom and grace to overcome them, acknowledging that while absolute peace is elusive, “we have reasonable peace and we are moving forward.”

The ANLCA President also confirmed that the planned retreat for chapter executives remains on course, with the first part already held at the National Secretariat.

He stated that the next, more elaborate session will be combined with the NEC meeting, focusing on continuous training and retraining for chapter chairmen many of whom he said are new to their roles.