The high table, HMR, Eze Damian Obianigwe in dark attire and red cap with Dr. Kayode Farinto on his right.
Story by Dili Utomi.
It is election season at the Tin Can Island Port Command chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANCLA) and various gladiators are emerging and declaring their intentions to contest various positions. The association had been scarred by many rancorous squabbles that had threatened to dim the lights on the oldest Customs Licensed Agents Association in Nigeria, but it is now looking like they are getting their acts together.
Right at the centre stage now is a battle hardened, widely experienced and tenacious freight forwarder cum licensed Customs agent, Chief Sonniel Onochie who is contesting to re-emerge as the Vice Chairman of the TCIP chapter of the association. Equally throwing his hat in the ring is the relatively young, but astute businessman, Franky Paul Nwegbe who is vying for the post of secretary at the chapter.
Nwegbe in red attire and red cap while Onochie is in dark attire and red and white cap.
Monday, the 10th of February was the day that both candidates sought the blessings of the members of two prominent associations, the Association of Igbo Maritime Practitioners in Nigeria (ASIMPIN) and the Oodua Maritime. Prominent members of the two associations, the TCIP chapter members of ANLCA, friends, well wishers of the two candidates, journalists and of course, the candidates themselves gathered at the office compound of His Royal Majesty, Eze (Ambassador) Damian Obianigwe where their intentions were formally declared.
The occasion was witnessed by such dignitaries as HRM Obianigwe himself, Dr. Kayode Farinto, Chief Eniola Igbariola, Dr. Eugene Nweke, Ojo Peter Akintoye, Pius Ujubuonu, the candidates themselves (Sonniel Onochie and Franky Paul Nwegbe) and many other personalities of ANLCA, ASIMPIN and OM.
After the initial introduction and presentation of kola nuts, His Royal Majesty pronounced blessings on the candidates. He used the occasion to ask for continuous harmonious relationships between Igbos and Yorubas and other ethnic nationalities while noting that both ethnic groups have had long and fruitful relationships over a long period of time. HRM Obianigwe noted that as people with common interests in different values as well as in the particular profession (freight forwarding), the need to always reach out to each other is vital since they all operate under the same economy.
Dr. Eugene Nweke speaking on behalf of ASIMPIN said that “The TCIP chapter is looking for a leadership that is informed, that is capable and willing to work for the association. The alliance by both ethnic associations is informed by the need to see a leadership that is representing everybody in order to retrieve, to promote and to grow the profession of freight forwarding in Nigeria. We support the candidacy of Sonniel Onochie and Franky Paul Nwegbe. In the spirit of a handshake across the Niger, we pronounce that this alliance shall become stronger and that the candidates shall win the respective positions that they seek”.
The Vice President of the Oodua Maritime, Ojo Peter Akintoye also spoke in the same vein, he reiterated the age long dictum that ‘there is power in unity’. He noted that “Sonniel Onochie has paid his dues within the association and so deserves to be voted into the chapter’s executive committee and even though Franky Paul Nwegbe is a younger man, he has equally impressed with his sense of responsibility”.
Onochie’s campaign poster.
The atmosphere was electric as supporters of both candidates sang their praises in the midst of all the merriments at the occasion.
It is hoped that the dark clouds that had seemingly pervaded over ANLCA have given way to a new and stronger association where the interests of all members and equally those of all freight forwarders will be satisfactorily addressed at all times. Cruscially, observers note that elections within the association in the very recent memory have left very unsavoury taste, but that since the history of mankind is replete with all manners of evolution, that this one will pass the litmus test of a peaceful, free and fair election and one that will unite all members afterwards.
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