…Says he has forgiven his detractors. says call up system will work with sincerity
Ranmilowo Ojalumo
As Christians across the globe celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the National President, Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Iju Tony Nwabunike has called on stakeholders in the maritime industry, especially agents and importers to imbibe the lifestyle of Jesus Christ among which is honesty.
In a statement issued on Thursday in commemoration of the Easter celebration, titled “Easter Message” and made available to The Factual, the ANLCA president enjoined stakeholders in the maritime industry to reflect on the very strong virtues that the Easter celebration comes with, while urging all and sundry in the industry to increase love for one another and for the country, Nigeria.
Nwabunike specifically urged agents, as well as importers, to always be honest in their declarations and also pay the right duty as demonstrated by Jesus when He paid tax, adding that with sincerity, the newly introduced call up system will work without hitch.
According to Nwabunike, the selflessness of Jesus Christ, showing love and commitment to all by making the supreme sacrifice without expecting reward in return, while also seeking forgiveness for his persecutors, even at the point of death, are indeed instructive.
He added that the betrayal by Judas Iscariot for wealth purpose and the inglorious way he (Judas) ended also symbolises that treachery or any form of betrayal may only look beneficial in the interim but the end is sadness and regret.
He noted that masterstroke of the Easter celebration is the biblical report of Jesus’ resurrection to life after three days in death. This is the demonstration of hope for mankind.
Meanwhile, the ANLCA president has reiterated that he has forgiven his detractor, while beseeching everyone to forgive one another like Jesus Christ.
He said “Forgiveness should be freely extended amongst ourselves without being judgmental. For those of us who observed the forty days fasting that precedes Easter, it’s time to resolve not to go back to anything ungodly.
“Actions that exemplify compliance to rules like honest declarations, payment of right duty demonstrated by Jesus in tax remittance when he talked about giving to Caesar what belongs to Caesar shouldn’t depart from us.
“I enjoin importers and agents to always pay their taxes either in the form of import duty or otherwise. It is in following in the footsteps of Jesus. Sincere declarations and being law abiding will not only give the declarant and agents peace of mind, it is a way of contributing to national economic growth for common good.
“Importers and international traders should avoid bringing things that hurts the health of consumers or inflame society such as hard drugs, arms, ammunition and unwholesome or expired consumables. If we are sincere, laudable initiatives like the electronic call up system will be implemented with ease without the observed hiccups in it’s implementation
“The maritime industry still holds the ace for supporting other economic activities, and as participants in this sensitive sector; let us rise to be counted among those who improved our economy in our time. Many are active but truly not productively engaged due to possible factors like greed causing fewer persons to hold grip on common wealth while active workers are mostly underpaid.
“Like I reiterated in my new year message, I have forgiven those who hurt me in the course of my being of service to professional colleagues. For me it is the best way to celebrate this season of love, sacrifice and soul searching reflections. Jesus has given us examples to emulate this season and always. May God’s love and blessings reign in our lives, families, careers and association’s now and always.
“The resurrection power God manifested in Jesus is truly a symbol of hope that things can get better than they were yesterday and opportunities in our future are limitless. Let’s make sacrifices for common good, be forgiving, avoid greed, run away from act of betrayal and shun lust for earthly wealth at the detriment of common good”, Nwabunike said.
