The Secretary, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Oil and Gas Chapter, who also doubles as the CEO of Celefranc Nig Ltd, Mrs. Celestina Chinyere Okere has disclosed her interest to run for the chairmanship position of the association’s chapter.

Mrs. Okere who is a Custom Broker and Freight Forwarder made this known during an interview with CEOAFRICA recently when she explained reasons behind her interest on the position.

According to her, having seen the level at which men dominate such seats in the association and subjugate women to the background, she said, “if elected I will ensure in every capacity and as a goal getter to contribute immensely to the development of the association.”

She noted that she has always yearned to be in leadership position for years and has watched how well she excelled while working in men dominated environments where she even became the envy of the men.

Mrs. Okere stated that she realized her dreams when began her career by working with an oil and gas firm after graduation where she garnered wealth of experiences and got the needed certifications and training both locally and internationally.

She started running her own Clearing and Forwarding business soon after she got married and later decided to join the ANLCA peer group where she contested and won the posts as the assistant secretary and the secretary respectively of the Oil and Gas Chapter in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. As a goal getter she has decided to contest for the chairmanship seat of ANLCA in order to fulfill the purpose for which the oil and gas sector is being established, adding that the sector needs expertise, so as to annex its aims and objectives which include: more employment opportunities, earning of foreign exchange, and development of the country.

“As an individual with a science background, I found myself in the free trade zone of ANLCA. I want to lend my voice to the Nigerian society to help and accomplish the act which established that sector which is to encourage local content, manufacturing and exportation of finished goods, and earning of foreign exchange,” she said.

Speaking further, she said that the oil and gas sector is not only for exportation of oil and gas, but also to encourage local content and manufacturers such that Nigeria as a third world country would have enough raw materials that can be converted into finished products and be exported. “The Oil and Gas Chapter is meant to encourage production of unfinished products,” she added.

The dogged entrepreneur lamented that the essence of the Oil and Gas Chapter and free trade zone is yet to be accomplished and pledged that if given the opportunity to lead the chapter, despite the fact that it is a male dominated world, she will encourage women participation in the sector.

Mrs Okere said “My first aim as a woman in wanting to serve in the capacity as the Chapter Chairman is to encourage women participation in the industry because it is a male dominated environment. A good number of them believe so many women can’t do it but if I can do it, then so many other women can do it.”

She also added that she will bring about the re-orientation that the sector needs because according to her, most people hold the belief that Freight Forwarders are people who do non-illicit business. She stressed that this is a bogus fact and corrected that it is an internationally recognized profession which requires the adoption of international best practices. 

Speaking further, she noted that one of the major challenges faced by women in business and other business sector is not just lack of capital to start a business, but the lack of sustenance on the part of government that only render initial support. She thereby expressed hope that the government will partner more with private investors to assist in the sustenance of their businesses.

Meanwhile, when asked her interest for politics, she told CEOAFRICA news correspondent that she has some political ambitions because she is a lover of politics. She described politics as the ability to represent the people and to manage their affairs such that when the affairs are properly managed, the people will trust the state and local government.