Headlines

Ameachi ends tenure elongation of CRFFN board members

–— fixes elections for October 9th.

Eyewitness reporter

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi, may have put paid to the ambition of the members of the current governing board of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) who are fighting tooth and nail to elongate their tenure in office.

The 32- member Council board, which was inaugurated in November 2018, has two- year tenure which expired in 2020.

But the members have since refused to go one year after, having surreptitiously extended their tenure to a four-year term which they attempted to legalise through a botched subterranean ploy to amend the council act.

However, the ploy for tenure elongation has now fallen through as the Ministry of Transportation has fixed the Council elections for October 2021.

Even though the election timetable came one year after the tenure of the council has expired, the move has however effectively foreclosed any possible tenure elongation.

In a circular made public and signed by the Electoral Committee Chairman, A. D. Suleiman, the15 professional members would be drawn from the Western port, Eastern port, and Airports/ land borders.

The pattern of this year’s elections is a radical departure from what it used to be.

Unlike the traditional pattern where members are drawn from the five registered freight forwarding associations, this year’s elections are based on geographical locations of freight forwarders at Western Ports, Eastern ports, and airport/land borders from where the 15 members into the council will be drawn through elections.

The 15 elected members will join the 17 government-appointed members to form a 32- member Council.

As the election of the new board is slated for October, operational vehicles assigned to the outgoing members are yet to be returned to the Council.

Abubakar Tsanni, Chairman, Governing board of CRFFN and Ameachi

The circular reads thus:

“Sequel to the expiration of the two-year tenure of the Governing Board of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has constituted an electoral committee to conduct the election into the Governing Board of the Council.

“This is in line with the powers conferred on him by Section 2 (1) (f) of the CRFFN Act 2007.

According to a Public Notice issued in Abuja on Thursday by the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, A.D. Suleiman, the Act Provides that an elected or appointed member of the Governing Council shall hold office for a period of two (2) years beginning from the date of the election or appointment as applicable.

“The notice recalled that Section 2(1) (g) of the enabling Act states that that five persons to be elected from amongst registered freight forwarders operating in each of the following zones: Western Ports – 5, Eastern Ports – 5, Cargo Airports/Land Borders – 5.

“It went on to inform all eligible registered freight forwarders that the Electoral Committee would commence the election process as contained in the timetable as follows:

“Nomination Form: 6th –17th September 2021; Collection and submission of completed nomination forms shall be within ten (10) days from 10 am to 4 pm daily in the following locations: Lagos – Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) No. 1 Joseph Harden Street, Marina, Lagos (contact Mrs. Ogwuche-Obe Ene Helen – staff of the Ministry, Phone – 08033071392).

“Abuja – Federal Ministry of Transportation, Maritime Services Department, 4th Floor, Central Business Area, Abuja (contact: Solomon Zaks, 3rd Floor, Phone – 08035891726).

“Port-Harcourt – Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) office, Behind Wesham Filling Station, Camp Round About, Onne/Eleme Road, Onne, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State (contact: Mrs. Nwosu J. Uchechi – Staff of the Ministry, Phone – 08060621320).

“The notice further stated that screening of candidates will hold in Lagos 21st – 22nd September 2021, while that of Abuja will hold on the 24th September 2021 from 10, am t0 4 pm daily.

According to the notice, screening of candidates from the Western and Eastern ports will hold at the Rock View Hotels, Apapa on 21st and 22nd of September, 2021 from 10 am to 4 pm daily while screening of candidates from cargo airports/ land borders will hold at the Federal Ministry of Transportation Conference Room, 8th Floor, Abuja on Friday 24th September, 2021 from 10 am to 4 pm.

“While accreditation of candidates holds on 7th to 8th October 2021 in Abuja, the display of contestants’ list will be on the 8th October 2021 at the venue of the election, CRFFN office Abuja and Federal Ministry of Transportation office Abuja respectively.

“The election, according to the notice, is scheduled to hold on the 9th October 2021 at the National Women Centre, opposite CBN Headquarters, Abuja.

“It went on to state that the deadline on receipt of complaints arising from the election is scheduled to hold on Monday 11th October 2021 while the decision on all complaints received will be on Tuesday 12th October 2021.

“The notice advised all interested freight forwarders registered with the CRFFN to pay a non-refundable fee of five hundred thousand Naira (N500,000) for the nomination form into the CRFFN number and nomination form will be issued on presentation of a receipt of payment at the designated points of the two operational zones of the Council and the Federal Ministry of Transportation as indicated above.

“It provided the account details as follow:

“Account Name: Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) TSAA AccountNumber: 0020494461014G GIFMISCODE: 0229006001

“In view of the above, all registered freight forwarders should adhere strictly to the election timetable by this publication of the notice. Also, note that guidelines for the conduct of the election would be given at the point of collecting nomination forms”, the circular concluded.

The outgoing governing board will go down in the history of the CRFFN as the most controversial, self-serving, ineffective, inefficient, and laid-back council which tenure was substantially characterised by in-fighting and treachery.

It was a general consensus in the freight forwarding industry that the council did not add value to the professional well-being of average freight forwarders.

Rather, the council was busy pursuing its own self-serving agenda that was at variance with the welfare of its members.

Headlines

May Day: Mobereola salutes maritime workers for passion, dedication to building virile industry

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter

The Director – General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has saluted the courage , passion and dedication of maritime workers to building strong and virile industry.

In his message at the Workers’ day on May 1st, 2026, the NIMASA DG extolled the virtues of workers and acknowledged the distinguished service of various stakeholders whose efforts he noted continue to significantly contribute to the development of the Nigerian maritime industry.

Dr. Mobereola, while wishing stakeholders a Happy Workers’ Day said “to all the amazing officers and stakeholders in the maritime sector who bring their passion and expertise to work daily.

“Thank you for your dedication and invaluable contributions”.

He emphasized that as a regulator, the Agency remains committed to its oversight function of regulating maritime labour activities in the industry in line with extant instruments and the expectations of the theme of the 2026 Workers’ Day, which focuses on safety, dignity and productivity.

Customs

Kaila, Seme Customs CAC, seeks collaboration with stakeholders to achieve seemless trade along border corridor

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The new Area Controller of the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, has reached out to traditional rulers and sister agencies at the border communities to ensure the achievement of his mandate of detection, determent of smuggling, revenue generation and trade facilitation along the border corridor.

To achieve these objectives, Comptroller Kaila went on tour of the communities within the border corridor where he met and sought for the support and cooperation of major critical stakeholders, including the traditional rulers and sister agencies.

According to him, his objective was to eradicate trade hindrances affecting free movement of goods and services along the Lagos-Abidjan business corridor.

Speaking at the Palace of Oba Akran of Badagry Kingdom, the Customs Area Controller condoled with the royal family and entire people of Badagry kingdom on the passing away of HRM De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I who was a well recognized traditional ruler across the border communities.

“”The purpose of my visit is to introduce myself as the Area Controller of Seme Command and to equally seek your royal blessing and support to achieve the core mandate of the service.

“Our priority remains to generate revenue, facilitate trade, and suppress smuggling.

“And we in the Customs believe that without due support and co-operation from traditional rulers, we can not have effective performance of our functions as Customs officers” he said

The King Regent, Chief Abel Ogunbiyi, who described Kaila as the son of the soil, added that “We have listened to your request.

” Know that Badagry is a very peaceful town, and we will keep collaborating with you in safeguarding our borders and in promoting legitimate trade, ” he stated.

Comptroller Kaila also visited the Onibereko of Ibereko Awori-Kingdom, where the monarch, Oba Israel Okoya, signifies his commitment to fostering the service relationship with residents living within the border communities

“I welcome you to Badagry and be rest assured that I will always talk to my people whenever the need is required.

” In our town, our youth does not engage in illegalities as I have no other choice than to assist you in achieving the government mandate, ” he mentioned

While at the Palace of Alapa of Apa Kingdom, the king HRM Oba Oyekan Ajose Ilufemiloye commended and described the CAC, Comptroller Kaila as a professional, seasoned and well respected officer as described by indigenes of border communities.

“I promise you that I will always assist you in my area for anything that you need.

“Our border here has been peaceful because our youth always listen to the elders, and I know with your presence here, things will change for the better, ” he said

In his efforts to consolidate on existing synergy between sister security agencies, Kaila also visited Headquarters of 653 Nigerian Air force base, Ahanve-Badagry.

The Commanding Officer, Group Captain Hungruy Medugu,expressed the readiness of the formation to always support the command in achieving its mandate.

“Our collaboration has been key to various successes we have recorded in our area of responsibility.

” Your presence here strengthens existing bonds of inter-agency collaboration between both Services, and we will not take it for granted ,” he said

The Area Controller then ended his familirisation tour with seeking for mutual cooperation with a visit to the Republic of Benin Police office, showing his readiness to eradicate hindrances affecting the free movement of goods and services across the border.

Headlines

Opeifa decries encroachment on NRC properties across the country

— praises collaboration with Abia, Enugu govts.

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has reiterated his displeasure over the widespread practice of encroachment on the properties of the Nigerian Railways Corporation across the country, warning that such action would not be tolerated by his administration.

Opeifa was speaking during the separate meetings he recently had with the governments of both Abia and Enugu states.

Represented by the Railway District Manager, Eastern District, Mr. Agwonye Francis Ejike, the NRC boss quickly condemned the occupation of the Corporation’s right- of – way by squatters in Umuahia, while correcting the wrongly- held belief that the Railway is defunct.

Opeifa however applauded the cordial and collaborative relationship between the Corporation and the governments of both Abia and Enugu.

According to him, such productive harmony can only yield even greater positive results for the benefit of the people.

During the Umuahia meeting, Dr. Opeifa strongly praised the Abia State Government for its crucial assistance in clearing the NRC’s right-of-way within Umuahia.

He reiterated unequivocally that no one is permitted to build any structure on railway property without obtaining express approval from his office.

Appealing directly to the public, he urged for greater patience, stressing that the plans for the critical track extension from Aba, through Umuahia to Enugu and beyond, remain very much on course.

Responding on behalf of the Abia State Government, Mr. Kingsley Agomoh stated that the State Government is actively engaging all stakeholders by providing alternative, seamless locations for those currently conducting business on the railway right-of-way.

He further revealed that the state government has already finalized plans to plant trees along the route, creating a leisurely and aesthetically conducive environment for relaxation, replacing previous commercial activities.

The high-powered team then embarked on an extensive inspection of the alternative relocation site for displaced persons; the demolition site where iron barrier installation is progressing; the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal; the site for the new Umuahia Railway Station; and the route for the proposed link road passing through the existing railway station.

The meeting also explored the provision of a temporary location for the Railway Police and the PTO, pending the construction of the new Umuahia Station, which is designed to include a police station and other NRC offices.

The same impactful message was delivered to Enugu State, where the Commissioner of Transportation, Dr. Obi Ozoh (representing the State Government), equally assured the NRC MD of the Enugu State Government’s unwavering commitment to collaborating with the Corporation to achieve its aims and objectives.

Describing Dr. Opeifa as a personal friend from their private sector days, Dr. Ozoh lauded him as a leader who “knows perfectly well what he is doing.”

He further assured the NRC that the Enugu State Government will actively assist in demolishing any obstruction on the Corporation’s right-of-way, stressing that the state eagerly awaits the flag-off to recommence construction of the rail line from Aba to Enugu and beyond.