By citybusinessnews@yahoo.com —
The Abuja Shippers’ Association on Thursday elected new executive members to run its affairs.
The newly-elected President, Chizoba Okwuchukwu of Chizodon Ltd, who was elected unopposed, pledged the commitment of the executive members to drive shipping activities in Abuja.
The election was held during the Association’s Annual General Meeting at the Nigerian Shippers’ Council Office in Abuja.
”I feel delighted. I feel humble to be the President of this organisation.
”We are going to work out a programme for the development of the organisation. We are going to work hand in hand with all the government agencies to make our trade smooth.
”The plan I have for shippers’ association in Abuja is to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
”We are going to have workshops, bring in old and new members because without new members, the organisation will not grow.
”We are going to train people who don’t have knowledge about import and export so that they can have an interest in the business that we are doing and explore the opportunities that are available,’’ he said.
He said that the association was going to run a kind of trade fair whereby importers and exporters could showcase their products to members of the public.
“We are going to invite the foreign missions for them to give us, if they have, other trade organisations/partners that are coming in and we can work together with them,” Okwuchukwu said.
Earlier, Mrs Rakiya Nuhu, Deputy Director, Abuja Liaison office, in her remarks, reiterated the importance of being a member of the association.
Nuhu urged members to reach out to colleagues who had not registered, to join the association.
”As a member of Shippers’ Association, you benefit from everything Shippers’ Council has to offer in terms of helping your trade, shipment of goods and services.
”If you have a problem at the port, you come to us. If we have policies, we think will benefit you, we pass them across.
”The idea of wanting you to join the association is to have a strong voice that can help you in your trade.
”So, it is very important and we encourage people especially exporters to join the association,” she said.
Meanwhile, the past President of the association, Emeka Madueke, pledged his support to the newly-elected officials to drive the association.
He said the past executive members were not able to achieve much due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic but urged the newly-elected executive to thrive to drive the union.
”We did not do much with the time we had due to the pandemic that hit the world.
”We are giving the assurance that we will join forces with the new executive to see how we can push for the success of the association.
”We will do everything we can as former officials to support and make sure the association goes forward,” Madueke said.
NAN reports that Mr Nurudeen Yakubu of Port Energy Logistics was elected as Vice President of the association.
Mr Godwin Anih of Trustical Investment Ltd. was elected as Secretary; Mr Ifesinachi Muoneme of Askinda returned as the Public Relations Officer; and Enyi Obande was elected as Financial Secretary.
Mrs Chika Onyia, who would have emerged as the Treasurer was disqualified for not being a registered member.
