Hassan Bello Now Grand Patron Of NAGAFF, As Stakeholders Make Case For Higher Appointment

The immediate past Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’Council, Barrister Hassan Bello has been honoured as the grand patron, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF).

 

The Freight forwarding association and other maritime industry stakeholders on Monday, converged to honour Mr Hassan Bello, for excellent performance while in office.

 

The event which was out together  by  NAGAFF, attracted key freight forwarders, customs brokers, truck owners from seven different associations and other organisations who called on the federal government to consider as a matter of national interest the need to begin to reward those who performed excellently while serving the country in their various capacity.

 

Speaking at the event, founder of NAGAFF, Boniface Aniebonam noted that though Bello has retired, he should be considered for higher appointment because of his performance.

 

Aniebonam, explained that Bello was honoured not just because of his excellent performance but also humility.

 

 

The founder also called on the federal government to appoint Bello as successor of Mr. Rotimi Ameachi as the Minister of transportation.

 

He described Bello as a man who offered his best to ensure the development of the industry, adding that though he has retired, he was not tired.

 

 

 

 

President of NAGAFF, Chief Increase Uche,  in his welcome address said Bello is being celebrated after his 8 years service as Executive Secretary, NSC, for others in government service in the maritime industry to take a queue and offer their best.

 

Uche pointed out that the narrative in the shipping industry changed as far as arbitrary shipping charges by multinational service providers and terminal operators were concerned when Bello was appointed as Executive Secretary of the NSC.

 

He described Bello as a detribalized Nigerian who was full of humility and courage to deliver while in service.

 

 

Uche said that though Bello has now retired, he was not tired and should be considered for other bigger position to serve the country.

 

 

 

The President of ANLCA, Iju Tony Nwabunike, added that Bello was not tired and should be appointed to head the Nigerian Transport Commission (NTC) once it is given an assent by the President .

 

 

According to him, Bello was able to respond to letters and started addressing issues referred to them by consumers of shipping services.

 

 

 

 

 

Similarly, the Secretary General of the National Council of Managing Directors of Customs Agents (NCMDCA), Chief Festus Ukwu, said he was impressed by the role played by Bello during the Covid-19 lockdown to ensure that goods were cleared at the ports.

 

 

According to him, the former NSC CEO apart from providing buses also made sure that customs agents were safe while clearing their goods at the ports during the pandemic.

 

 

 

 

In his acceptance speech, Bello thanked all for the honour bestowed on him.

 

He said that he has always believed that public office holders should keep an open door policy.

 

 

He added that he has always believed in stakeholders engagement which helps the industry.

 

 

He called on stakeholders to give the same level of support to the present Executive Secretary of the Council, Barr Emmanuel Jime to succeed.

 

 

He said that Jime is well equipped to deliver in his new position having worked in the Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA) which promotes export like the shipping sector.

 

 

By Roland Ekama

 

Caption:

2nd From Left: Founder of NAGAFF,Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, immediate past Executive Secretary Nigerian Shippers’Council Barrister Hassan Bello, Chairman,CRFFN ,Alhaji Tsanni Abubakar during the reception in honour of the ex- Council’s boss on Monday,July 12, 2021 in Lagos.