The anti-corruption drive of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has received a boost as it entered strategic understanding with the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Nigeria Police to fight the menace of corruption that is confronting the nation.
This understanding was sealed when the Founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam led some members of the Anti-Corruption Committee of the Association on a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police SFU Anthony Mike Ogbizi.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Aniebonam submitted that it is now time for Nigerians to support every effort to eradicate the menace of corruption which is stunting the development of this great country.
The NAGAFF Founder said corruption is dealing deadly blows on the country, and no effort should be spared in putting an end to the menace of corruption in the country.
He informed the CP that NAGAFF has a long and rich history of confronting corruption at the ports, and that it was in furtherance of this task that the association set up a National Committee Against Corruption, with the full complement of experienced and dedicated members of the Association at the level of the National Executive Council.
“We in NAGAFF are conversant with the saying that when you fight corruption, corruption fights back and there is no gainsaying the fact that we have started seeing the signs.
“The truth of the matter is that it is the tonic we needed to become more aggressive against any attempt by anybody or organization to intimidate or harass any of us.
“For the avoidance of doubt Mr. President has been with us before he won election into the exalted position of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, when we went to break the monopoly of just one man at Jibiya Border of the North West axial of the Federation.
“Today the Jibiya border has been liberated for all concerned to do their legitimate business unhindered. We appreciate and thank the CGC Hameed Ali Ibrahim in this regard in ensuring that a level playing field is provided for all who have genuine business to do with Customs at Jibiya border as freight forwarders,” Aniebonam said.
For his part, the Commissioner of Police SFU Anthony Mike Ogbizi expressed appreciation to the NAGAFF leadership for the visit and the support towards efforts to eradicate corruption in our country.
The CP said he was not surprised at the efforts of NAGAFF, against corruption, adding that he has known the association since 1999 when he was the Head of Intelligence at Apapa Port.
He pledged the determination and commitment of himself and his officers to the fight against fraud, in line with the mandate behind the setting up of the Unit.
Ogbizi urged NAGAFF to continue in the effort to make our country a pride of everybody.
It would be recalled that the Anti-Corruption Committee of NAGAFF was recently inaugurated by the ICPC in recognition of the effort of the association in the fight against corruption.
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