ICPC, NAGAFF Partner To Promote Integrity , Accountability In Maritime Sector

ICPC, NAGAFF Partner To Promote Integrity , Accountability In Maritime Sector
— resident anti-corruption commissioner urges stakeholders to embrace ethical practices

A group photograph of the members of the ICPC team and the members of NAGAFF officials at the one day public enlightenment and awareness workshop organised by NAGAfF in collaboration with icpc on Tuesday,14 October,2025,at NAGAfF Academy Training Auditorium, Apapa Lagos

By Frank Odinukaeze

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reiterated its commitment to promoting transparency, integrity, and accountability within Nigeria’s maritime and logistics sector.
Speaking at a one-day Public Enlightenment and Awareness Workshop held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the NAGAFF Academy, Apapa, Lagos, the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner, ICPC Lagos State Office, Mr. Chukwurah Alexander (fsi), emphasized the importance of ethical conduct among freight forwarders and maritime operators.

L-R Chief Patrick Ogbo representing the BoT chairman NAGAfF,Fwdr.Chidiebere Elenama, Resident commissioner ICPC, Lagos state, mr.chukwurah Alexander,(middle) Founder NNPP and NAGAfF,Dr Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam, National Coordinator FAVIFFN,Dr. Uche Increase,and Deputy President Headquarters,Fwdr Simeon Nwonu, who also represented the national president of NAGAFF high Chief Tochukwu Ezisi,at the one day public enlightenment and awareness workshop organised by NAGAfF in collaboration with icpc on Tuesday,14 October,2025, at NAGAfF Academy Training Auditorium Apapa Lagos

The event, organized in collaboration between the ICPC and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), was aimed at strengthening the anti-corruption culture within the freight forwarding community.
Mr. Alexander, in his goodwill message, described the workshop as a demonstration of shared commitment to integrity and professionalism. He noted that the freight forwarding industry plays a pivotal role in driving Nigeria’s economy through trade facilitation and revenue generation, hence the need for transparency and accountability in its operations.

Founder of the NNPP and NAGAfF Dr Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam

“This engagement underscores our collective commitment to strengthening ethical values, integrity, and accountability in the maritime and logistics sector,” he said. “It is imperative that transparency and ethical practices remain at the heart of your operations.”
The workshop featured three key lectures — Overview of the ICPC Act, Preliminary Investigation and Report Writing, and The Role of Citizens in the Fight Against Corruption — designed to deepen participants’ understanding of the Commission’s mandate and build their capacity for integrity-based operations.

Resident commissioner ICPC Lagos state Mr.Chukwurah Alexander

Mr. Alexander commended NAGAFF for its continuous effort to promote professionalism and its willingness to partner with the Commission in fostering good governance. He stressed that the anti-corruption fight should not be left to government agencies alone, but should involve all citizens.
“The fight against corruption is not for the government alone; it requires the active participation of every citizen,” he stated. “The ICPC will continue to uphold its threefold mandate of enforcement, prevention, and public enlightenment while fostering collaborations that promote transparency and good governance.”

National Coordinator FAVIFFN,Dr Uche Increase

He called on participants to renew their commitment to integrity and ethical values, pledging the ICPC’s continued support for initiatives that build a corruption-free Nigeria.
He commended NAGAFF for its partnership with the ICPC in promoting integrity and transparency within the maritime industry, noting that such collaboration demonstrates the willingness of private and professional bodies to support the government’s anti-corruption initiatives.
“What we are doing today is not limited to trade. It is about building a culture of accountability in every area of governance. We must all support one another in the fight against corruption, learn from the insights shared here, and work together to minimize the menace,” Mr. Alexander stated.

Chief Patrick Ogbo representing the chairman of BoT NAGAfF,Fwdr Chidiebere Elenama 

He further urged participants to take the enlightenment gained from the workshop seriously and apply it within their various institutions, adding that only through collective awareness and moral commitment can corruption be effectively curtailed.
Earlier in his welcome address at Public Enlightenment and Awareness Workshop organised for members of the Freight Anti-Corruption Vanguards of Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (FAVFFN), the National Coordinator, Chief Increase O. Uche, RFF, underscored the significance of the renewed collaboration with the ICPC in promoting transparency, integrity, and efficiency in the nation’s ports and border operations.

Chief Uche described the workshop as a strategic capacity-building initiative designed to empower freight forwarders with the knowledge and tools to identify and prevent corrupt practices within the trade and logistics chain.
He extended appreciation to the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner for Lagos State, Mr. Alexander Chukwurah, and other ICPC officials for their presence, noting that their participation lent credibility and value to the programme.
Chief Uche also commended the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, for his confidence in NAGAFF as a reliable partner in the anti-corruption crusade, particularly for approving the re-establishment of the Freight Anti-Corruption Vanguards — a unit originally inaugurated in 2005 under the leadership of former ICPC Chairman, Justice Emmanuel Ayoola.

Deputy president NAGAFF headquarters,Fwdr Simeon Nwonu who also represented the national president of NAGAFF high Chief Tochukwu Ezisi

“Today, history is once again being made. Freight forwarders have gathered here to reaffirm our collective support for this vital initiative,” Uche declared. “We are back — stronger, more determined, and better equipped to combat sharp practices in trade documentation, customs formalities, and cargo clearance processes.”
He highlighted that corruption within the freight sector has become more sophisticated over time, resulting in massive revenue losses and stunted national growth. The workshop, he said, seeks to address these challenges by promoting preventive and collaborative measures.
The training topics covered include critical areas such as trade documentation, Form M processing, Pre-Arrival Assessment Reports (PAAR), cargo declaration, customs examination, underpayment queries, gate control, and post-clearance audit (PCA), among others.
Chief Uche reaffirmed NAGAFF’s role as a policy advocacy body and a long-standing institutional partner of the ICPC, stressing that the association’s nationwide membership of over 5,000 freight forwarders would serve as a strong network for disseminating anti-corruption values across Nigeria’s ports, airports, and border posts.
“We believe — and I repeat — we believe that it is indeed possible to eradicate corruption, or at least reduce it to the barest minimum in the freight industry,” he said.
He concluded by assuring that NAGAFF remains steadfast in its mission to promote professionalism, transparency, and accountability in the freight forwarding profession, both locally and internationally.
Speaking at the One- Day event,Founder of NAGAFF and the New Nigerian Peoples Party NNPP, Dr Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam,called on Nigerians, especially stakeholders in the maritime sector, to uphold integrity, environmental consciousness, and patriotism in their daily conduct as part of efforts to combat corruption and rebuild national reputation.
He emphasized in his remarks that corruption remains a major obstacle to Nigeria’s progress, stressing that the responsibility of fighting it should not be left to government agencies alone.
“Corruption is deeply linked to our society, and it is our collective duty to support the government’s efforts to rid the nation of this problem,” he said. “Each of us must contribute by living responsibly, respecting the law, and protecting our reputation.”
He noted that integrity begins at the individual level, warning against actions that bring shame not only to individuals but also to their families, professions, and the nation.
Citing personal experiences and examples from judicial processes, Dr. Aniebonam decried instances where corruption and inefficiency have compromised the justice system, calling for greater accountability within the judiciary and public institutions.
He appealed for continued collaboration between the ICPC and industry associations like NAGAFF to strengthen institutional frameworks that discourage corrupt practices in the maritime and freight forwarding sectors.
“We must all support the ICPC in this mission,” he said. “Whenever assistance is needed from us, we will be ready to collaborate. This is the only way we can create a system that works for everyone.”
Dr. Aniebonam concluded his message with a call for unity, discipline, and moral renewal among Nigerians, saying that the vision of a better and corruption-free nation can only be achieved when citizens embrace ethical conduct and community responsibilities.
The Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the NAGAFF
Academy,Fwdr.Simeon Nwonu, who also doubles as the Deputy President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) Headquarters, and who also represented the national president of NAGAFF , high Chief Tochukwu Ezisi,in his goodwill message,lamented that corruption has completely crippled operations in Nigeria’s port system.
He emphasized that corruption remains the greatest obstacle to the efficiency and integrity of the nation’s maritime and port operations.
According to him, “Our port system is dead because of corruption. Everybody knows it — whether you are a policeman, a port operator, or a vehicle owner. The decay has eaten deep into the system.”
He recalled previous efforts by stakeholders and regulatory agencies to address the challenge, noting that many of such interventions failed because of a lack of sincerity and political will. “We have had several initiatives and committees in the past, but at the end of the day, corruption always finds its way back. It starts from the highest level,” he lamented.
The NAGAFF leader challenged the three major anti-corruption agencies in the country to demonstrate genuine willpower and integrity in executing their mandates, warning that without personal discipline and transparency, even anti-graft operatives could easily be compromised.
He said, “If those who are supposed to fight corruption do not have the willpower and honesty of purpose, they will become more corrupt than the people they are meant to checkmate. When someone offers you ₦5,000, can you truly refuse it? That’s the moral test we must all face.”
While expressing appreciation to the ICPC for partnering with NAGAFF in the workshop, he urged the Commission to continue providing institutional support and collaboration to sustain the enlightenment drive within the freight forwarding and maritime sectors.
He concluded by commending the management of NAGAFF Academy for producing professionals who have distinguished themselves across sectors, expressing optimism that the ongoing partnership with ICPC would yield practical outcomes in promoting transparency, good governance, and accountability in port operations.
“I thank ICPC and all participants for being here. I believe that together, with honesty, goodwill, and transparency, we can bring back integrity to our port system,” he said.
In his goodwill message the BOT chairman ,of NAGAFF,Fwdr Chidiebere Elenama,ably represented by Chief Patrick Ogbo, expressed support for the NAGAfF initiative,and promised to that the organisation will give maximum support to the NAGAfF anti corruption vanguard.He lamented that corruption continues to tarnish Nigeria’s international reputation, discouraging foreign investment and trade.
“Internationally, Nigeria is still being rated as a corrupt country. Our national flag, in the eyes of the world, is often seen in red. For instance, shipping and carrier companies sometimes avoid doing business in Nigeria because of corruption fears. This perception must change,” he said.
The workshop featured paper presentations from ICPC resource persons and interactive sessions aimed at strengthening collaboration between government agencies and private sector stakeholders in the logistics and maritime sector.
The one -day workshop brought together members of NAGAFF, maritime stakeholders, and representatives of regulatory agencies, who pledged to adopt more transparent and accountable practices in their professional engagements.