- IMAN SOUTH WEST ZONE PAYS OFFICIAL VISIT TO AIG ZONE 2
By Mcanthony Onuoha
Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN), South West Zone, on Wednesday, 9th of July, 2025, paid an official visit to the Assistant Inspector General of Police(AIG), Zone 2, Mr. Adegoke M. Fayode.
The team, led by Chairman of Importers Association of Nigeria, South West Zone, Chief Austin Kelly, congratulated Mr Fayode on his new appointment as Assistant Inspector General of Police.
Speaking at the event, Chief Austin Kelly expressed delight over the august visit and the opportunity for his team to meet with the AIG.
Chief Austin Kelly, regrettably announced the unavoidable absence of IMAN Acting National President/ BoT Chair, Chief Gilbert Obi, who intended to be physically present in the meeting but could not due to exigencies of duty.
“In the entourage are the executive of Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN), South West Zone. We are therefore delighted to meet you today.”
“We want to congratulate you on your new appointment as Assistant Inspector General of Police, and to strengthen the bilateral relationship existing between your office and our association, which your predecessor can attest to the cordiality.”
“We have come here to extend our hands of fellowship to you in our task of breaching unorthodox business transactions, to bring sanity in importation as well as in Nigeria business environment.”
CHIEF DR AUSTIN KELLY, CHAIRMAN, IMPORTERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA(IMAN) SOUTH WEST ZONE
According to Chief Kelly, ” it is no longer news that some unregistered members of the association indulge in fraudulent importation of unwholesome products, firearms, illicit drugs and toxic wastes. These unpatriotic individuals bring in
substandard and fake products worth billions of naira into Nigeria by avoiding due processes and Customs procedures, thereby making the Federal Government lose revenue amounting to billions of naira, as well as making consumers spend their hard earned money buying substandard, fake and harmful products.”
“These fraudulent members act as proxy to their foreign collaborators. We, Importers Association of Nigeria, extend our hands of fellowship to you as an officer of the law, an enforcement agent per excellence who has risen to the upper echelon of his profession.”
Chief Kelly went ahead and expressed optimism that the AIG would partner with IMAN to destroy the ugly monsters that have continued to bedevil the economy of the nation. They are spanners in the wheel of progress who have undermined our efforts in generation of revenue. “This is what we intend to actualize as we eradicate frauds and criminalities in our business environment. Therefore, it is our wish to work assiduously as co- partner in achieving the renewed hope agenda of Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as we join hands in sanitizing the business right from international market places.”
“Our visit is well thought out, and is majorly aimed at greater collaboration between your command and our association to ensure that importers comply with standard operating procedures (SOP) as they engage in foreign trade, operating within the ambit of the law and operational guideline of the Federal Government. Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) is ready to collaborate with you in achieving the Nigerian project.”
In his response, AIG Fayode expressed happiness for the visit. He thanked his guests for the felicitation and good wishes, assuring the group of collaboration.
In his words, “the vision of fixing Nigeria to function appropriately is our collective responsibility.” He urged members not to hesitate in reaching out to the Command each time they need their service, and also reminded them that Nigerian project was a collective responsibility.
The AIG stressed the vision of Mr President in the Renewed Hope Agenda and advised members to work within the tenets of the law.
Giving a vote of thanks, a member of the association, Chief Sir Patrick Ogbo, thanked the AIG for the warm reception given to the association and appreciated his readiness to collaborate with the association in their efforts to bring sanity to Nigerian market .
He also appreciated the support which his predecessors had given to the association overtime, and his assurance that he would strengthen the already existing relationship between his office and the association.
Concluding, Chief Sir Ogbo assured him that the association would work strictly towards the advise he gave to the group and that they would not fail in contributing towards actualizing the wish and vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which is to make Nigeria a great Nation.
