By Bayo Bernard
The National President of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents ANLCA, Tony Iju Nwabunike has intervened in the internal crisis rocking the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Association, though the nine man BOT denies any division, insisting that such only exist in the imaginations of promoters of such divisive reports.
The magazine learned that the intervention became necessary following pressure from notable members who feared a backlash on the election which produced Nwabunike as president. The intervention is responsible for the semblance of peace “That the BOT is currently enjoying,” the source said.
Meantime, the BOT has therefore confirmed Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha as new Chairman, following the election held at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Lagos last week., bringing to end the 10 years Chief Henry Njokwu as BOT chairman.
Speaking at a Round Table meeting with the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) in Apapa Lagos at the weekend, Secretary of board, Prince Taiye Oyeniyi disclosed that the new executive members of the board are Chief Dennis Okafor, Vice Chairman and Prince Taiye Oyeniyi as Secretary. The new team, Oyeniyi said would be piloting afairs of the board for the next two years with effect from 15th April 2018.
Dispelling reports of crisis within its ranks , Oyeniyi stated that “ANCLA does not have any crisis, the incumbent President Hon. Tony Uju is at peace with every member, however some of the issues at hand are presently an internal matter that can be resolved within us”.
According to a communique , a copy of which was made available to the magazine, the board secretary also maintained that “In recognition that the present leadership under Chief Henry Njoku has done about two years terms, a motion was moved and adopted by 5 votes with names respectively Prince Taiye Oyeniyi, Chief Ernest Elochukwu , Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha, Chief Dennis Okafor and Mr. Dayo Azeez.
“While the other 3 members in abstentions where Chief Henry Njoku, Aare Sanni Shittu and Chief Peter Obih.”
The BOT Scribe also gave a brief history of how Henry Njoku had frustrated series of attempts to convene a meeting to peacefully elect a new BOT Chairman.
He argued that Njoku was not removed based on tribal sentiment but on expiration of tenue which was long overdue.
