By Godfrey Bivbere
Stakeholders of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Clearing Agents, ANLCA, have affirmed their confidence in and pledged their loyalty to Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha as Chairman of the Association’s Board of Trustees, BOT.

Reacting to statements issued by one Chief Peter Chike Obi attempting to discourage zonal and chapter leaderships of ANLCA from their loyalty to the new BOT Chairman, key leaders of the Association who spoke with reporters last week insisted that there is no legitimate challenge to the authority of Alhaji Mustapha as BOT Chairman.

SEMINAR – A cross section of participants at the Nigerian Shippers Council-sponsored seminar, in collaboration with ANLCA in Lagos

Chief Obi had, in a chat with the media, urged Zonal and Chapter leaders of ANLCA not to recognize Alhaji Mustapha as Chairman of the Association’s BOT.

Secretary of the BOT, Prince Taiye Oyeniyi; Zonal Co-ordinator of the Association, West, Chief John Ofobike; Chairman of the Apapa Chapter, Chief Obokun Olumide and Chairman of the Tin Can Island Chapter, Chief Segun Oduntan unanimously insisted that Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha is the only legitimate Chairman of the ANLCA BOT.

Secretary of the BOT, Prince Taiwo Oyeniyi and Chief Segun Oduntan, Chairman of the Tin Can Island Chapter of ANLCA said there is no such directive from the leadership of the Association asking members to ignore the new BOT Chairman adding that any claim to the contrary is a lie. They, therefore, urged all zonal and chapter leaders of the Association to maintain their loyalty and continue to report to the entire leadership of the leading union of licensed customs agents in the country.

They also insisted that following a three-month transition period and a proper inauguration of the new BOT at the expiration of the tenure of Chief Njoku after 10 years on the saddle, Alhaji Mustapha and the new team has taken charge and are already performing the duties of their new office.

“Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha is the only Chairman of the ANLCA BOT known and acceptable by bonafide members of the Association” Prince Oyeniyi said.

They also insisted that the tenure of the former BOT Chairman, Chief Henry Njoku, ended with the election of Mustapha who won his position after an election which followed all due process.

According to them there is absolutely no crisis in ANLCA and definitely no legitimate challenge over the leadership and constitution of the Board of Trustees.