The pioneer Chairman of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Chief Iju Tony Nwabunike, has commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Hon. Adegboyega Oyetola, for his decisive leadership in appointing a substantive Registrar and CEO for the council.
In a statement issued on Monday, Nwabunike praised the Minister for leveraging his authority under Section 5 of the CRFFN Act 16 of 2007 to end a prolonged leadership vacuum that had hindered the council’s operations since late 2022.
“The Honourable Minister deserves accolades for his bold decision to appoint Fwdr. Igwe Kingsley Onyekachi as the new Registrar. This marks a turning point for CRFFN, as it is the first time a practicing freight forwarder has been given this responsibility. The choice reflects merit, maturity, and the required exposure to reposition the council,” Nwabunike said.
He highlighted the challenges the council faced without a CEO, including an inability to pay salaries, internal politicking, and a lack of direction. “The CRFFN had been crippled by retrogression and distractions, but this appointment brings hope for a renewed sense of purpose,” he added.
Nwabunike called on freight forwarders nationwide to support the new Registrar and work collectively to advance the council’s mission. “I urge all freight forwarders and associations under the CRFFN to rally around Fwdr. Onyekachi, remain law-abiding, and prioritize professionalism. This is a national service, and we must work together to build the organization we have collectively labored for,” he stated.
Addressing concerns about potential interference, Nwabunike emphasized, “The associations must not attempt to regulate the federal government or the CRFFN, which was established by law to regulate the industry. Let us foster unity and professionalism in our operations.”
He further stressed the critical role freight forwarders play in Nigeria’s economy.
“Our seaports, airports, and land borders are vital economic assets. As freight forwarders, our logistics function is integral to maintaining efficiency at these gateways,” he noted.