Joyce Mmereole Okoli
Otunba Babatunde Mukaila, the immediate past National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), has officially announced his candidacy for a position on the association’s Board of Trustees (BoT).
In a recent interview at his office on Tuesday, Mukaila outlined his motivations and plans, emphasizing his commitment to innovation and clear governance within ANLCA.
Driven by a desire to bring clarity to the roles and responsibilities of the BoT, Mukaila highlighted his extensive experience and understanding of the association’s intricacies.
“Our Board of Trustees has often overstepped its legally defined boundaries, encroaching on governance roles meant for the executive arm,” he stated.
Mukaila’s primary objective is to ensure that the BoT adheres strictly to its constitutional mandate, which includes meeting only three times a year. He criticized the current involvement of the BoT in day-to-day decisions, which he believes should be the exclusive domain of the executive arm.
“We need a Board that advises the President constructively, not one that competes with him,” Mukaila asserted.
He emphasized the importance of respecting the office of the president, even if there are personal disagreements with the individual holding the position. This respect for institutional roles is a key reason behind his decision to join the BoT.
Mukaila also pointed to his past achievements, such as establishing a comprehensive database for ANLCA members, which has greatly improved transparency and organization within the association. He believes that his experience and track record will be valuable assets to the BoT if he is elected.
Addressing rumors that his candidacy is being pushed by the current National Executive Committee (NECOM) leadership, Mukaila firmly stated,
“No one is pushing me into this. My decision to run is based on a belief that without my presence, the same mistakes will be repeated, leading to the same results.”
He emphasized the personal and professional sacrifices he has made for ANLCA, debunking any notions of external influence on his decision.
Mukaila also addressed speculations of discord between him and the former acting President of ANLCA, Dr. Kayode Farinto. He acknowledged their differences, particularly during the turbulent elections, but emphasized their collective effort to maintain the association’s stability.
“It was simply election semantics. We maintained the association’s stability even amidst threats and violence,” he said.
On the topic of committee appointments, Mukaila defended the President’s selections, stating, “The president can never select anyone who does not have anything to offer to the association but people who will work better with him in achieving his goal to make the organization better for all.”