ZAINAB JUNAID
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has extolled the exceptional leadership style portrayed by the Customs Area Controller of Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Frank Okechukwu Onyeka.
National President of the Association, High Chief Tochukwu Emmanuel Ezisi, gave the commendation during a familiarization visit to the Command by the NAGAFF CARGO WATCH TEAM on Wednesday, 25 June 2025.
Esizi who was represented by Fwdr. Godfrey Nwosu, Secretary-General of NAGAFF, applauded Comptroller Onyeka for setting a benchmark in the realm of management and administration of the Command, and also for his dedication to the Service.
“Your commitment to NCS strategic role including trade facilitation, revenue generation, and national security is commendable.” He said. “Also the idea of extending your official working hours beyond normal work hours is commendable. You have taken it upon yourself to work beyond that hours, even to some part of the mid-hours of the night, and doing so voluntarily, not as if you are under any compulsion but because you simply want to ensure that every trade-related concern raised by our members and other Customs brokers is resolved effectively. Reinforcing seamless trade operations is evident amongst us. We can attest to that”.
Continuing, he said “We also want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support to NAGAFF Cargo Watch Radio-our medium outlet. Through this channel, we can share vital information about port operations and actively engage the stakeholders on challenges they encountered.
“Your role as one of the primary sponsors of our weekly program, NAGAFF Cargo Watch Radio, has not gone unnoticed, and we are immensely grateful for your contributions”.
The NAGAFF President further advocated continued engagement with major stakeholders, that is, freight forwarders, for seamless cargo clearing activities “We kindly encourage you to continue keeping your doors open as we are eager to engage in further discussions about your extraordinary achievements and the fantastic work being done,” he added.
Contributing, the Chairman of fact finding Committee of NAGAFF, Dr. Arthur Igwilo also commended Comptroller Frank Onyeka for the turn out of events at the Command since he assumed duty as the Customs Area Controller.
He acknowledged the existing relationship between NAGAFF and Nigeria Customs Service working towards a common goal- trade facilitation, Revenue generation and National Security.
Dr. Igwilo also highlighted the critical role of NAGAFF CARGO WATCH, a medium arm of the organisation in disseminating information and propagating issues and events related to Maritime industry including Nigeria Customs Service, adding it now eyes reporting activities and happenings at the TINCAN Island Command.
The producer and presenter of NAGAFF CARGO WATCH on Radio, TV and You’Tube, Ruth Sunday equally hailed the TINCAN Island Command Boss for his outstanding performance, the ordial relationship extended to freight forwarders.
She thanked him for his support and pledged that the association will continue to align with the Command policies to ensure the success of his administration.
Responding, Comptroller Frank Okechukwu Onyeka, appreciated NAGAFF team for the visit and affirmed cordial relationship existed between him and Founder of the Association, Chief Boniface Aniebonam, for the past twenty-one years, even before the Association moved to its headquarters in Apapa.
“When I tell people that NAGAFF is my DNA is not an understatement” he said. “The Founder of NAGAFF has been watching my back over the years, his feedback has always been very constructive, whatever achievement that I’ve recorded, it’s because of the type of feedback I’ve gotten from people that made up NAGAFF. Founder is an honest stakeholder and Leader. I have followed him for the past 25 years.
“NAGAFF will always play according to the rules. NAGAFF will not do any push, they always open containers (for you to know what’s in there), they may not pay well but they open container as a form of declaration, which is more important to me as a Customs Officer,” Comptroller Onyeka stressed.
Among the top Customs Officers that received the NAGAFF CARGO WATCH TEAM during the familiarization visit includes: E.E Esiet (DC Admin), JA Anani. (DC Evaluation), I.S Ofoegbu (Acting DC Revenue) among others.
