In line with its mandate to train freight forwarding practitioners in Nigeria, the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, CRFFN, on Friday, began a two day training programme for selected group of freight forwarders in Lagos.
The training, which is ongoing at the Council’s headquarters at Joseph Harden Street, Marina, is expected to be held quarterly and the current edition witnessed the presence of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, who was represented by his Special Adviser, Prof. Busayo Fakinlade and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy also represented by the Director, Maritime Services Department in the Ministry, Mr. Olusanya Olayinka.
In her opening remarks, the Acting Registrar of CRFFN, Mrs. Chinyere Uromta, said the event themed: “Optimizing Nigeria’s Blue Economy Potentials Through Logistics Performance”, was put together for 20 selected members of the five CRFFN accredited freight forwarding associations namely: the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), National Association of Air Freight Forwarders and Consolidators (NAFFAC), Association of Registered Freight Forwarders Nigeria, (AREFFN) and the National Council if Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA).
Uromta recalled that the primary objective and the mandate of the Council is to professionalize the freight forwarding sub-sector by providing education and training programmes as well as developing and implementing industry standards.
Noting that Nigeria’s blue economy was ripe for transformation with over 850km of coastline, vast maritime resources and strategic location, she said, “We are poised to become a leading player in global maritime trade. However to unlock this potential we must prioritize logistics performance.’
Describing logistics as the backbone of trade in the context of the blue economy, she emphasized that training freight forwarders is key to unlocking efficiency, reducing costs and increasing competitiveness.
“Over the next two days, we will delve into the latest trends, technologies and best practices in logistics performance. However, I would like to take this opportunity to urge all freight forwarders to ensure they are registered with the Council and that their payments are up to date.”
“The proceeds from these payments will be reinvested ploughed back in the freight forwarding sub-sector, specifically for training purposes, thereby serving as a valuable return on investment for all stakeholders.”
“I am are grateful for the support of the Council under the leadership of the Minister of Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy (FMMBE) Adegboyega Oyetola who has made this two-day training possible. I would also like to appreciate the Education and Training department of the Council for working tirelessly to ensure this prorgramme is held as scheduled,” the Acting Registrar said.
Topics to be addressed during the training include: Introduction To Sustainability In Freight Industry; A Competitive Perspective To Digital Imperative In Freight Forwarding; and Ethical and Contractual Issues In Freight Forwarding.
According to the resource persons, there will also be an assessment on the theme of the training, “Optimizing Nigeria’s Blue Economy Potentials”, presentation of gifts items to the best three trainees as well as presentation of Certificates by the Acting Registrar of CRFFN.
Speaking with News Diet on the sidelines, the National Secretary, NAGAFF, Mr. Kingsley Igwe, expressed satisfaction on the training at the end of Day 1, even as he encouraged CRFFN to expand the participants significantly for subsequent trainings.
“From the content of the training, especially with respect to digital freight forwarding, I am impressed because it is bringing something new. Most participants are hearing these innovations for the first time and content like this is what CRFFN should be sharing with freight forwarders to bring practitioners at par with developments across the globe.”
“With this training today, if any of the participants travels to Netherlands or United States of America (USA), they shouldn’t struggle to fit in. So, it’s a beautiful learning experience and it has been worthwhile,” Igwe said.
Also speaking, the Secretary of AREFFN, Chief Frank Obiekezie maintained that training is craved for by the Nigerian freight forwarding community to be abreast with developments in the practice, especially on the global stage.
“CRFFN has introduced this as part of activities in fulfillment of their mandate. In the part it seemed that CRFFN concessioned its mandate on training to tertiary institutions and other private operators. We are glad that CRFFN has introduced this even though we weren’t expecting this at a time the Council has been complaining about lack of funds,” he remarked.