The Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Emmanuel Jime has stressed the need for Nigerian freight forwarders to merge, synergize and boost capacity, in a bid to more effectively protect investments within their custody.
Jime who described freight forwarding as a rewarding career, requiring specialized training and technological knowledge,
stated this in a paper titled: ‘Freight Forwarding as a Career: Benefits to the Nation’ at the 3rd matriculation of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) Academy on the Campus of the academy in Apapa, Lagos last week.
The Council boss was represented by Mr. Cajetan Chukwuemeka Agu, Director of the Consumer Protection Directorate.
Jime said: “there is the need for capitalization and consolidation of freight forwarding in Nigeria.
The solo practice is not helping the system as we are still far from the actual freight forwarding practice in the world.
“It is good for Nigerian freight forwarders to learn and emulate the practice of non-vessel carrier operators in Belgium who source for cargo, warehouse, and acquire vessels to move the cargo around the world.
“Freight forwarding is a rewarding career but requires specialized training.
I want to implore freight forwarders to imbibe technology and must undergo continual training at all times.”
Assuring the academy of the support of the Council, Jime advised the new students to take their studies seriously.
Earlier in his address, the Visitor to the Academy, Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam, Founder of NAGAFF, encouraged the new students to face their studies and told them that they are the future of the industry and owners of NAGAFF.
Aniebonam said “students of NAGAFF Academy are the owners of NAGAFF.
NAGAFF is meant for you.
It belongs to you.
Keep learning and arm yourselves with adequate the academy will impart in you to defend your territory; remain steadfast and there is hope for you in the industry.”
Professor Iyiola Oni of Transportation School, University of Lagos, said that freight forwarding is an international job and pleaded with the new students to work hard.
In his welcome address, the Registrar of the Academy, Forwarder Francis Idowu Omotosho said the matriculation was the official academic ritual to welcome the newly admitted fresh students into the academy.
Omotosho implored the students to face their studies and assured them that the
NAGAFF Academy would uphold, protect and ensure their peaceful stay in the academy.
He sounded loud and clear to the students that good academic performance would not be enough for them to obtain the certificate from the school but good virtues and behavior.
“It is great to have you admitted into this institution.
No doubt your passion and focus on being educated in the field of freight forwarding practice is inspiring right from this day,” said Omotosho.