…As Associations’ Chapters’ Chairmen Present Him Leadership Award
By: B. Elums
History was made yesterday at Notore Road office of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), where the one year anniversary ceremony of Chief Hon. Dr. Ike Okechukwu Anslem, as the chairman of NAGAFF, Onne Seaport chapter, Rivers State was held.
In his address on Thursday, 30th July, 2026, Chief Hon. Dr. Ike Okechukwu Anslem, said he was initially holding brief as an intern chairman of NAGAFF, Onne Seaport chapter, before he was formally elected as the authentic chapter chairman of the association in July, 2025.
Hon. Anslem, who acknowledged that there were issues in the association before his emergence, disclosed that his first priority on the assumption of office, was to reconcile all aggrieved members. A move that brought all and sundry members under one umbrella, according to him.
The chapter chairman further revealed that he, in conjunction with the Exco and the entire members of the association agreed on ways and means of generating funds for the running of the association, which according to him, has yielded positive results.
Dr. Anslem equally stated that his administration in the last one year, was able to renovate their office space, furnished it and provided the necessary office equipment, as well plastic seats for administrative and members use.
While acknowledging the vision and mission of the founding father of NAGAFF, Chief Boniface Aniebonam, as well as the National President of the assassination, Mr. Tochukwu Ezisi, Dr. Anslem was of the view that their administrative strides over the years, have brought NAGAFF to its current level of prominence in government and the maritime industry in general.
Dr. Anslem in the course of his address presentation, affirmed of acquiring a plot of land for NAGAFF, Onne Seaport chapter at a strategic location, adding that he will, in no distant time, call on relevant stakeholders for the foundation laying ceremony of the association’s secretariat.
Making his remarks, Chief Ifeanyi Isikaku (Onwa), Chairman, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Onne Seaport chapter, applauded Chief Ike Okechukwu Anslem for his doggedness to change the narrative in the leadership of NAGAFF, Onne Seaport chapter.
ANLCA chapter chairman, equally lauded him for acquiring a plot of land for his association, just the way he is building a secretariat for his association, too.
Chief Isikaku in his words of encouragement, charged Hon. Anslem to take a bold step by calling on relevant stakeholders and friends for a fund raising ceremony of his proposed association project.
He, in the meantime, advised freight forwarders to continue to act as an intermediary between government and the importers, adding that proper declarations and full payments of duties will save them from begging anybody for help.
Chief Isikaku equally tasked them to always notify their importers on changes in duty payments, make the right duty payment, declaration and stand to resist any other change(s) that comes thereafter.
Responding, NAGAFF Administrator, Ibeto Chapter, Chief Sir Patrick Ogbo lauded Chief Ike Okechukwu Anslem for breaking the jinx of acquiring land for NAGAFF, and prayed to God to enable him to complete the venture.
He, in the meantime, advised NAGAFF members to desist from any form of practice that will tarnish the image of the association, while calling on interested freight forwarders that want to identify with NAGAFF to come and pick their membership form.
In the same vein, the Coordinator, NAGAFF Elders Forum, Elder Blessing Agbalanne, lauded Hon. Ike Okechukwu Anselm for his leadership prowess in managing the affairs of NAGAFF.
Elder Agbalanne, who acknowledged the excellent performance of Dr. Anslem, urged him to continue to remember the elders in the area of welfare packages.
In the same vein, Chief Hon. Christopher Ibeabuchi Uwakwe, a pioneer chairman of NAGAFF, Onne Seaport chapter and BoT member of NAGAFF, Onne Seaport chapter, commended Chief Ifeanyi Isikaku (Onwa), Chairman, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Onne Seaport chapter, for identifying with Hon. Ike Okechukwu Anslem and members of NAGAFF in their one year in office celebration.
Elder Uwakwe, who equally lauded Chief Isikaku for building a secretariat for ANLCA members, opined that his leadership style and presence at the event, speak volumes of his leadership prospects, as time progresses.
Hon. Uwakwe, who was a Special Assistant (SA) to various political office holders during the tenure of former governors: Orji Uzor Kanu, Theodore Orji and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State; opined that he saw what was in Hon. Anslem, hence his reason to identify and support his emergence as the chairman of NAGAFF, Onne Seaport chapter.
He emphasised that what he saw in Dr. Anslem then, is already manifesting, and prayed to God to continue to guide him to accomplish what he has started, particularly on the land acquisition.
Elder Uwakwe further used the medium to commend the Exco of NAGAFF, for the creation of NAGAFF Elders Forum and Women Forum, and called on the representative of NAGAFF national body at the event, to inform the them on need to take care of the elders, since they are no longer active in the business of freight forwarding.
In his contribution, the National Vice President of NAGAFF, Eastern Zone, Comrade Ngozi Uzohuo, applauded the achievements of Hon. Ike Okechukwu Anslem in the last one year, describing his leadership as “very peaceful.”
The zonal vice president, also thanked the Dr. Anslem led Exco for the land acquisition and cremation of NAGAFF forums.
Other respondents, which include: the immediate past Interim Chairman of NAGAFF, Onne Seaport chapter, NAGAFF Legal Advisor, Women Forum leader, and other elders of NAGAFF, lauded Chief Anslem’s giant strides in the last one year, and urged members to continue to support his administration.
The high point of the event was the presentation of an ‘Award of Good Leadership’ to Hon. Dr. Ike Okechukwu Anslem by Chief Ifeanyi Isikaku (Onwa), the Chairman, ANLCA, Onne Seaport chapter, alongside Chief Emeka Nwosu, Chairman, National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, Onne Seaport chapter and Comrade Prince Obinna Ugochukwu, Chairman, Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (ARFFN), Onne Seaport chapter at the event.
