By Omenihu Alfred fibmn
Barr Augustine Ejike Metusela, a Veteran Actor/ Producer, and Customs Broker has charged Nigerians to remain focused especially as Nigeria’s economic situation continues to experience complexity, with little positive and much more negative indicators. He made this Clarion appeal as a guest speaker at the round table conference of the Congress of Nigerian Maritime Media Practitioners (CONMMEP), an advocacy group with Accuracy and Justice as its motto, in Lagos on Tuesday. The conference was the rather interactive session with contributions, questions and answers coming in on various national issues with an informed and esteemed personality.
“Economic indicator has revealed that Inflation remains a significant concern, impacting the value of savings and investments and the sluggish global economy is affecting Nigeria’s growth. Again, Naira has been under pressure, with efforts underway to stabilize the foreign exchange market as limited fiscal space hinders public investment in infrastructure, hence impacting economic development. Another concern is that, Nigeria’s economy remains heavily reliant on oil, making it vulnerable to global oil price fluctuations. No thanks to Insecurity in various parts of the country which has continues to be a challenge. All these have contributed to make unemployment and poverty very high, particularly in rural areas where growth is not always felt”
Chief Metu is the board of trustees chairman of the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (ARFFN), one of the foremost registered freight forwarding associations recognised by the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).
He informed the gathering that the ARFFN is not a noise making organisation, that it is one with a mission to contribute its quota intellectually, financially and otherwise in the corporate development of Nigeria.
The Anambra State born Chief who practices his freight forwarding trade at the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service took out time to appraise the performance of the Customs Area Controller at the Command, Comptroller (Dr.) Ben Oramalugo and said that “the man is doing tremendously and wonderfully well”.
On the disturbing matter of influx of fake and adulterated products, Chief Metu advised that “this is a big problem that is all over the country, the agencies of government involved in ensuring that these things do not get in should sit up and do their job in order to put a stop to the importation and use of these fake products. We as journalists should do our bit to continue to expose the rot in the system”.
The politician cum footballer also commented the recent election of the Comptroller-General of Customs as the chairman of the Council of World Trade Organisation. Chief Metu said “the election of the CG into the Council is a testament to his administrative acumen, his two year tenure should be given the necessary impetus to run smoothly by also allowing his tenure as the CG to continue”.
He also spoke about the suspended use of the code 846, he advises that “the suspension seems to have done more harm than good, those freight forwarders who asked for the suspension of the use of the code should also muster the courage to go back to the CGC and ask for the suspension to be lifted”.
Chief Metu also advised journalists as well as all well meaning Nigerians to remain focused and embrace the available technology to help in improving one’s life.
On the political uncertainty affecting the land, the experienced political campaigner advises that “we must be focused, able to sit up and say enough is enough to stop the wrong things going on in Nigeria, take away tribalism, religious bigotry and the other vices bothering us as a nation and then move our nation positively forward”.
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