By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
In what seems an object of shame, the National President of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANCLA) Chief Tony Nwabunike has rejected the Shipping World Magazine award of ” Freight Forwarder of the Decade” conferred on him by its publisher Mr. Asu Beks.
Nwabunike described the award is a trap deliberately designed by Asu Beks to constantly blackmail him for financial gratification, as allegedly done to other notable personalities in the maritime industry.
Giving reason for the rejection, the world class freight forwarder said the decision was taken, following advise from professional colleagues, friends and family members who are convinced about the very unstable and indecent character of the man, Asu Beks.
Nwabunike, who is presently out of the country for a self development exercise, said he has directed his aides in Lagos to effect immediate return of the plaque and certificate, adding that he has come to the conclusion that they are not worth more than the wood from which they were made.
A press statement issued in Lagos by Nwabunike reads, ” This is to inform members of the Nigerian maritime community and general public that I , Iju Anthony Nwabunike, National President of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) hereby reject Shipping World award of ” Freight Forwarder of the Decade” given by one Mr Asu Beks.
” This decision was taken following advise from professional colleagues, friends and family members who are convinced about the very unstable and indecent character of the man , Asu Beks who is publisher of Shipping World and promoter of the so called award
” Whereas I am presently out of the country for a self development exercise, I have directed my aides in Lagos to effect immediate return of the plaque and certificate as I have come to the conclusion that they are not worth more than the wood from which they were made.
“The award is a trap deliberately designed by the publisher of Shipping World Magazine, Mr Asu Beks to constantly blackmail me for Financial gratification as has done to other notable personalities in the maritime industry.
” I frowned at the campaign of calumny embarked upon against me and my great association, ANLCA by Asu Beks who always,uses my photographs as a deliberate attempt to malign my personality with false and defamatory statements.
” I sincerely expressed surprise at the level of pettiness, bias, subjectivity and flagrant display of bad conduct shown by Asu Beks at all times.
” He is a bad egg spoiling the noble media profession in the maritime industry in particular and the world at large.
” I can emphatically say that i didn’t solicit for any award from Mr Asu Beks abinitio, even as i expressed skepticism at first when he nominated me
” Now that i have realized the motive behind the award, I hereby return the plaque, and urge many Captains of the industry and CEOs not to get closer to such a blackmailer.
” The award has been discovered to be a trap for persistent blackmail, money begging excuse, endless disturbances and various forms of shameful mercantile practices by Mr Asu Beks.
” Asu Beks has proven without doubt to be a bad example of who or what a journalist should be. He has convinced right thinking persons by his conduct that he is a mercenary writer who is driven by his insatiable hunger for handouts from paymasters.
” I doubt his training, exposure and experience as a journalist. I dare say , he displays lack of formal tutelage required for journalism practice. I have cause to challenge his academic background too. Surely, he is poorly educated and unwilling to learn.
“Telling lies with ease and coming to apologize whenever he is broke,portrays him as very inconsistent character. For Asu Beks, the truth is determined by how much you pay. He will only listen to you or ask to be contracted to eulogise you in his medium or on his controlled WhatsApp group. I don’t need such services from him.
” The number of CEOs that have fallen into this trap are uncountable.So it becomes necessary to cut all ties with Asu Beks, as i will not like or want to associate, or be identified with such a deviant character in the name of being an award recipient from him.
“I consider associating myself and the noble ANLCA with his person and award which he goes about the maritime industry begging people to accept.
” Asu Beks is not a member of ANLCA. His pettiness and shameful conducts in dabbling into a dispute which he is NOT a card carrying member are so ridiculous.
“:Like any other association, the constitution of ANLCA is supreme and no President, or NECOM member can elongate their tenure in office, like being amplified by Asu Beks in his messanger of confusion countdown
“It is pertinent to note and put the records straight that, I Tony Nwabunike didn’t amend ANLCA’s Constitution. The amendment of ANLCA’s Constitution, which took place in December 2020, followed due process with approval from NEC and NECOM as the highest decision making organs of ANLCA, even as members of the association consented to it. The process of amendment was not hidden, as maritime Journalists observed the entire procedure
” So, the campaign of calumny by Asu Beks on tenure elongation against me is nothing but cheap blackmail and lies that will not see the light of day, because truth shall always prevail against falsehood and mischief
” I have verifiable proofs of Asu Beks beggarly conduct, blackmail tactics and journalism for pecuniary gains. I will never succumb to the whims of such an old, shameless and mischievous liar.
“My lawyers have been briefed to take him on for libel and I deem this rejection necessary ahead of legal redress”.
