The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has reemphasized its commitment to the capacity building of freight forwarders to enhance all aspects of the freight forwarding sector in the nation.
CRFFN’s Acting Registrar, Mrs. Chinyere Uromta gave this assurance during the closing ceremony of the Executive Professional Diploma in Freight Forwarding and Supply Chain Management at the Institute of Maritime Studies, University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Saturday.
Uromta stressed that the Council will continue to facilitate and promote capacity building to enhance the different aspects of the freight forwarding sector, asserting that the core mandate of the Council is to enhance professionalism by developing standards, providing education and training programmes for freight forwarders.
She recalled that in 2020 the Council, for the first time, determined the minimum qualification required to practice freight forwarding in Nigeria, stating that this in line with the FIATA Diploma in Freight Forwarding and Supply Chain Management or its equivalent – the Executive Professional Diploma in Freight Forwarding and Supply Chain Management.
“These programmes qualifies you to practice freight forwarding in Nigeria. In particular, the EPD programme serves as an executive pathway for Certificate of Experience as provided in the CRFFN Act. The main purpose of the programme is to validate the experience and update the knowledge of Executive Officers in the freight forwarding sector through an intensive one week residential programme”, the CRFFN boss said.
The Acting Registrar informed that in 2019, UNILAG signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Council to deliver training programmes which cuts across freight forwarding, logistics and supply chain management.
“I am highly optimistic that these trainings, if well harnessed, will contribute tremendously to the growth of your organizations and the economy at large”, she stated.
Uromta, however, implored the trainees to ensure that the register with the Council and also ensure that their Professional Operating Fee (POF) was up-to-date as the proceeds will serve as a return on investment and will be well utilized for the purpose of continuous training for freight forwarders.
She encouraged each participant to apply the knowledge gained from the course diligently to navigate the complexities of the industry, fostering efficiency and excellence.
“Let us elevate the standards of freight forwarding in Nigeria, thereby contributing to a robust and seamlessly connected global supply chain network. Once again, a big congratulations to you all for your active participation, engagement and successful completion of this training course,” she remarked.
On his part, the Acting Director, Institute of Maritime Studies, University of Lagos, Prof. Olusegun Badejo appreciated the Acting Registrar for gracing the event with her presence.
He re-echoed the call by the Acting Registrar on the participants to endeavour to register themselves as members of the Council and practice freight forwarding.
While describing freight forwarding as a very lucrative business and a vital part of the Blue Economy, he expressed optimism that the creation of a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy would enhance the transportation of goods by water and not by road or rail only.
“We have been in partnership with the CRFFN for some years and we are seeking more collaboration. I also thank our Acting Registrar and all the people that facilitated the training. Some of them were trained along with us in this programme and I am grateful for the facilitators and the trainers”, he remarked.
Meanwhile, one of the course participants and class captain, Gabby Dimude thanked the Acting Registrar for putting in place the course from which they all benefitted immensely even as he thanked the facilitators for devoting their time and energy in imparting knowledge.
“We also appreciate the University of Lagos for giving us the opportunity to come here to train. So, on behalf of all of us in the Class of 2024 Executive Management Course on Logistics and Supply Chain Management, I say thank you”, Dimude stated.
The highlight of the closing ceremony was the presentation of gift items to the three Best Performing Students namely: Ogunmola Ogundare Albert of NESS Shipping – Overall Best; Chika Offor of ICNL – first runner up and Gabby Emeka Dimude of Kabayan Shipping Limited – second runner up.
