ASIMPIN TINCAN CHAPTER PAYS A COURTESY VISIT TO COMPTROLLER ONYEKA
… Introduces New Officers
By Mcanthony Onuoha
Association of Igbo Maritime Practitioners in Nigeria -ASIMPIN, Tincan Chapter, on Tuesday, 22nd of July, 2025, paid a courtesy call on the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka.
The Chairman of ASIMPIN, Tincan Chapter, Chief Isaac Chinaka Ndukwe, and his team, were accompanied by some national officers, elders and few members of the apex Igbo maritime umbrella to the courtesy visit.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman, Chief Isaac Ndukwe, stated that the visit was long overdue, but expressed happiness that the CAC, despite his tight schedules, made out time for the important meeting.
In his speech, the Secretary of ASIMPIN Board of Trustees, Chief Dr. Eugene Nweke, KSM, on behalf of the President General, HRM, Eze Amb. Damian Emeka Obianigwe, KSM, JP, Board members and the National Executive Committee, commended the CAC and his management team for the giant strides made in the Command under his leadership, applauding his efforts in enhancing efficiency, facilitating trade, and ensuring compliance within the Customs, and the maritime sector.
According to Nweke, ” on this occasion of introducing our newly elected Chapter executive to your esteemed office, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering a smooth and cordial working relationship with the Nigeria Customs Service in this Command.
ASIMPIN is dedicated to promoting trade and professional compliance among its members, aligning with the goals of enhancing operational efficiency and adherence to regulations in the maritime industry and beyond.”
“The lofty ideals of ASIMPIN underscores our mission to promote unity and professional ethics among Igbo maritime practitioners, build capacity and strengthen practices for sustainable growth, advocate for the interests of our members and Igbo practitioners in the industry, as well as engage in empowerment programmes for the welfare of our members. We look forward to collaborating with the Nigeria Customs Service under the leadership of Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, with the optimism to achieve mutual goals of trade facilitation, compliance, and professional excellence in the maritime sector.”
In his response, the Customs Area Controller, Tincan Command, Compt. Frank Onyeka, expressed delight over the visit. In his words, “if l say l am happy, it is an understatement. I have been expecting this visit all these while.
For some of us who have been in this system for a while, l know virtually every face here. And l know that if you have this caliber of people behind you, success is sure. Sincerely speaking there has not been any pressure from any quarter, it has been a smooth ride since my assumption of office as CAC, Tincan Command. And l give God the glory. I have been enjoying your cooperation and l will not take it for granted. None of you has brought any job here for me to do against my will. I am happy to have you people around. What l want from you is compliance, make honest declarations and desist from circumventing trade rules. If you have any challenge, come to me, tell me the truth and we shall sort it out the way it will hurt neither you nor the government. Honest declaration and compliance is what will keep oiling our relationship,” Onyeka stated.
Chief Pius Ujubuoñu, in his response, assured the CAC of ASIMPIN’s unalloyed support.
Speaking, Former Chairman of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders- NAGAFF, Tincan Chapter, High Chief Dr. Azubuike Ekweozor stated that freight forwarding was a serious business, and urged members to be honest, adding that personal relationship was very key, and advised them to jettison selfishness. Azubuike pledged total support for the Controller and his team, and prayed for the success of his administration.
Adding his voice, one of the staunch members of ASIMPIN, Tincan Chapter, Mr. Mike Ebo, described Chief Isaac Ndukwe as a good man with amazing leadership qualities, expressing optimism that members of the association would collaborate with him in giving unwavering support to the controller.
In his words, Former Vice Chairman of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents -ANLCA, Tincan Chapter, High Chief Ossy Okolichi, solicited support for the administration of Comptroller Onyeka, describing him as a thorough bred officer, a patriot, and a detrabilized Nigerian.
In his vote of thanks, Chief Isaac Ndukwe, called for genuine collaboration between Customs and freight forwarders, insisting that Igbos remain the foremost stakeholders in the maritime industry, and unarguably, major partners of the Nigeria Customs in revenue generation. He commended the CAC for his outstanding records of accomplishments in Tincan Command within a short time.
