Story by Dili Utomi.
It was a big, but brief gathering of the big guns within the ranks of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) Thursday at their Maybin Street, Apapa headquarters as they came together to inaugurate a committee that should prepare members for the celebration of the association’s Silver Jubilee in this last quarter of the year. The association which touts itself as the biggest freight forwarders association in Nigeria has also taken it upon herself to launch a fund for the acquisition of a new secretariat.
The founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam was briefly around, but the NAGAFF president, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, the board of trustees chairman, Chief Chidiebele Enelamah and a host of other notable members were at hand to inaugurate the members and to add real impetus to the occasion as the conference hall of the association was filled to the rafters with members and journalists alike.
The president of the association opened the occasion and noted that “When NAGAFF was founded by Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam, 25 years ago, it began as a bold initiative to revolutionise the freight forwarding industry in Nigeria. Today, as we look back, we see not just an organisation, but a thriving community that has consistently upheld its values of integrity, professionalism and excellence”.
He added that “I stand here before you today with great excitement for two significant milestones in the journey of NAGAFF. First, we gather to inaugurate the committee responsible for planning our Silver Jubilee celebration—a momentous occasion marking 25 years of unwavering commitment and excellence. Second, we are here to launch the committee tasked with overseeing the acquisition of a new Secretariat, a pivotal investment of 500 Million Naira that will shape our future”.
“As we approach the Silver Jubilee of NAGAFF, we are not merely reflecting on the past but also celebrating the progress we have made in the freight forwarding industry. Our Silver Jubilee is a testament to the collective hard work, dedication, and vision of every member who has contributed to making NAGAFF a beacon of excellence in our sector. This celebration will honour our achievements, acknowledge our growth, and inspire us as we look towards the future”.
His words “The Silver Jubilee Planning Committee will play a crucial role in ensuring that this milestone is marked with the grandeur and significance it deserves. Your task is not just to organise an event but to craft an experience that reflects NAGAFF values by embarking on a transformative journey with the acquisition of a new Secretariat. A 500 million Naira investment that will secure a future where NAGAFF can continue to thrive, innovate, and lead. Our new Secretariat will serve as a hub for our operations, a symbol of our progress, and a place where we will continue to build on our legacy of excellence”.
Chief Ezisi reminded the committee members that their responsibilities will include identifying the right location, negotiating terms, and ensuring that their new secretariat meets the highest standards of functionality and excellence.
The board of trustees chairman, Chief Chidiebele Enelamah while speaking aslo went down memory lane to speak about the formation of NAGAFF. He extolled the great roles as masterminded by Dr. Aniebonam and which were seen to fruition by Dr. Aniebonam himself, Dr. Iyiola Oni of the University of Lagos, Mr. Sanusi Usman and some others who believed in the vision of Dr. Aniebonam and who have helped to nurture and grow the association to the present level.
Chief Enelamah praised the president of the association as he said that Chief Ezisi is a kind, generous and focused leader. He admonished the president, the committee chairman and his team to “strive to acheive the set target of 500 Million Naira for the acquisition of the secretariat as your names will be written in the annals of the association”.
The president inaugurated the 33 committee members with Chief Afam Chukwuma as the committee chairman, Stanley Ezenga as the secretary, others include Evan Metu, Azubuike Ekweozor, Dr. Segun Musa, Princess Chi Ezeh, Emmanuel Umeadi, Tim Awogbemi, Tanko Ibrahim, Princess Uju Ebubedike, etcetera.
The committee chairman, Chief Chukwuma spoke after the inauguration and he said that the amount sought is achievable and that the committee will determinedly accept the challenge of meeting the target. He added that the committee has the tasks of organising a befitting 25th anniversary celebration for NAGAFF, securing a good venue for it and preparing for the launch of the fund.
Chief Afam added that the committee has already mapped out a venue in Ikoyi, Lagos for the event which will happen on Saturday, the 16th of November 2024.
The president spoke to journalists after the event and said that his “Expectation of what the committee can acheive is high, I am expecting that they will go above the target because they have what it takes to go above the target”. On the probable achievement of the acquisition of the secretariat office before the end of his tenure, the president says that “Government is a continuum, even if it is not acquired during my tenure, the other administration after mine shall continue with that quest”.
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