A none profit making organization, Nigeria International Courier Association ( Niaca), an association for courier professionals has elected new officials that will pilot the affairs of the body in 2009.
In a well attended general meeting of the group held at RedStar Express Training School, Mafoluku, Oshodi, Oladipo Akinyele , managing director, Express Partners emerged as the association’s chairman . Sule Umar Bichi , managing director of RedStar Express retained his position as vice chairman (Government Relations) while Engr. Olukayode Ogunsanlu , executive director, Fenway Courier was elected as vice chairman( Corporate Affairs), while Mrs. Chidinma Iheme, managing director of Tranex became the treasurer. Secretary of the body is Ralph Ozoude of the Universal postal Service (UPS).
Niaca as a body was established by courier operators as a pressure group to protect the members businesses from perceived aggressors. The union has such objectives as promoting an orderly development and growth of the industry even as it is also bent on promoting interaction between the members and the regulatory agencies as well as providing a forum for training and exchange of ideas to educate the public on the nature and economic relevance of the industry.
Some of the successes recorded by the group according to information from Niaca include facilitation of exchanges between the European Customs Services in U.K, France, Belgium and the Nigerian Customs Service in 1999.
It also assisted in the organization of the first and second Courier Summits as well as embarked on courtesy visits that evolve exchange of ideas between the Ministry of Communications, Aviation and Nipost senior management. The body organized joint workshops and the establishment of Bonded warehouse facilities with the Nigerian Customs Service .As a way of winding off, the association organizes annual dinner and sports competition among member companies and endows awards on deserving members and regulatory agencies.
Niaca works with Association of Nigeria Courier Operators (Anco), a sister organization formed in April 2003 to see that the interest of the courier is protected in then country.
