The National President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Hon. Iju Tony Nwabunike, has charged government officials superintending over operations in the ports to maintain a holistic compliance in their lines of duty.
Nwabunike gave the advice in his Eid El Fitri message to Muslim faithfuls in celebrations marking the end of a month long Ramadan fast period.
He said government agencies owed Nigeria and Nigerians the duty of total compliance at duty irrespective of whose ox was gored.
“Government agencies owe Nigeria and Nigerians duty to be compliant by discharging their duties without fear or favour and totally avoiding compromise of their positions for personal gains”, he stated.
He added, “a holistic compliance will make technology work for us and present us truly as nation builders who obey the teachings of our religious leanings”.
“Any time I hear the word compliance as a parlance in our trade area used in addressing private sector players, I feel a sense of narrow mindedness by the users of such mode of communication”, Iju further stated.
“Going by way of a homily to address our secular audience in maritime, aviation and logistics sector, I want to urge politicians, and civil servants superintending over us, who are adherents of the faiths, to lead with the fear of God”, Nwabunike added.
He commended Muslim faithfuls for going through self denial during Ramadan fast, combining it with alms giving.
“Indeed our Muslim brothers and sisters have gone through a period of self denial, persistently praying and always giving alms to the needy in line with the dictates of their faith”, he added.
The Iju Ozubulu continued, “These great virtues, which rub on our national life, teach us piety, love, tolerance and selflessness associated with the teachings of the revered Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)”.
“Whereas as a Catholic, our lent period this year coincided with many days of the Ramadan month, I know that the good works believers practised during fasting can be sustained and continued after the fasting period.
“If we shunned schisms, showed more love and did works of charity during Ramadan, we can continue in that path forever as a way of re-creating a more peaceful and prosperous Nigeria”, he maintained.
“Obedience to rules governing our operations is the key to unlock the many untapped but identified channels of successes” he said.
Nwabunike concluded, “Specifically for our Muslim brethren, Eid El Fitri should not be seen as the end of being nice until the next Ramadan comes. It should not be a leeway to return to deviance and disobedience.
“We all have roles in building our country and the trying times we have found ourselves places enormous responsibilities on our shoulders”.
