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By Innocent Orok
A Yoruba group of Maritme practitioners, Oodua Descendants Freight Forwarders Global Association, said it will step in again to try to settle the lingering crises in the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), even though according to them, their first attempt was unsuccessful. The group said this on Monday during a press briefing in Lagos, asserting that they are determined to end the over four years crises in the foremost Customs Agents Association.
Addressing the media on their latest moves to bring lasting solution to the Association, which according to them , the principal actors in the crises are Oodua sons, the President of the Oodua Descendants Freight Forwarders Global Association, Prince Segun Adefioye stated that a Seven – man committee would be constituted before Friday this week to start the reconciliation process, adding that, before April 3rd the association will have known those who are for peace and those who are against the peace in ANLCA. He said the terms of reference of the committee to be set up would be to contact the aggrieved members from both factions one by one for resolution of the crisis.
Speaking further, Adefioye said the reconciliation moves would commence on Monday, 29th March to 3rd April, 2023 saying the committee has two weeks to submit its report. He asserted that the planned Annual General Meeting of the association slated for Wednesday March 15th , would further enhance unity between the factional groups.
Adefioye said, the group believes that if the Oodua sons involved in the ANLCA crises agree to sheath their swords , then peace will return permenently to the association.
In his words, “With dismay, we were forced to call for the press briefing. We could all recollect that for almost four years now, our brothers in ANLCA have been at loggerheads with one another which almost claimed lives, a lot of money spent, time wasted. Oodua Descendants Freight Forwarders Global Association has been watching and studying the situation with keen interest, we have made steps to have a meeting with some of our elders on the issue, but we were stylishly turned down.
“How long should we continue to live in crisis, we should remember the sons of whom we are.We called for this press briefing to let Oodua sons and daughters know what is going on among their sons in ANLCA that has negatively affected thousands of freight forwarders, and the steps we are about to take in the settlement/reconciliation process.
‘As we have taken a step today in the reconciliation process, we implore them to embrace peace and attend the coming AGM to air their views, while we on our path will continue with our reconciliation moves among the elders.
“It is our believe that, if we are in peace, ANLCA will be peaceful. We have between now and 3rd April to find solutions to the crises. The reconceliation committee that will be constituted will commence reconciliation meetings from Monday 20th March to 3rd April, 2023.
The group stated that the major gladiators of the ANLCA crisis who are Oodua sons on both sides which the Committee will meet one by one include, Prince Taiye Oyeniyi, Alhaji Mustapha Taiwo, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, Alhaji Bojuri Akinsola, Dayo Azeez , Chief Odedeyi Sunday and Eniola Igbaraola.
Others are, Dr Kayode Farinto, Alhaji Babatunde Mukaila, Taiwo Afolabi, Olumide Fakanlu, Bayo Oyekangun, Biodun Ogunfowora and Chief Oye Ariyo.
The group noted that an elaborate general meeting of all Yoruba Maritme stakeholders will hold soon to engage all Oodua maritme practitioners on the way forward for the ANLCA crises.
