Courier and Logistics Management Institute (CLMI), has again expressed its readiness to collaborate with Government at different levels to professionally address perennial issues surrounding logistics and transport management across the country.
Prof. Simon Emeje, the Executive Chairman, Courier and Logistics Management Institute, made the remark during the closing ceremony of a three-day Medical Logistics training programme for members of staff of Codix Pharma Limited held in Lagos, over the weekend.
The foremost Professor of Logistics Management with specialty in Courier, Logistics and Transport Management, said that CLMI maintains cordial relationship with partner-Institutions both national and international such as the Swiss School of Management, SSM (Rome, Italy); Limburg Graduate School of Business (LGSB), The Netherlands; University of Lagos (UNILAG Consult) and Lagos State University (LASU).
He said they also have programmes for Nigerians willing to take up courses in Logistics, Courier, Transport and Management; the impact, he said, will lead to the creation of millions of jobs annually.
Speaking specifically on the forthcoming 2023 general elections in Nigeria, Prof. Emeje said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) needs to put its acts together by implementing what he termed ‘Electoral Logistics’.
“It will interest you to know that we had sent a proposal to INEC after we appraised INEC’s logistics plans for 2019 elections and foresaw the challenges. You remember that INEC had to postpone the scheduled February 16 and March 2, 2019 Presidential/National Assembly and Governorship/House of Assembly elections to February 23 and March 9, respectively.
“Well, be that as it may, our concern now is how to solve this national menace. The effort of the INEC Chairman is appreciated”. However, as technology implementation is now part of the voting and election processes, the issue of logistics has not been solved. With technology, things will get better, but in Electoral Logistics you ask critical questions such as: What is the readiness level of the operators of the machines? How about the voters, are they aware of what to do at the polling unit? What is the process of conveying the machines to the venue? How long can the batteries last? There are lots of issues to be addressed. In other words, it is not enough to deploy technology without having clear-cut guidelines on how to implement it”, he said.
Continuing, he referred to Apapa (Lagos) gridlock could be better managed. “We developed ‘Fleet and Delivery Management Course’ which contains solutions to issues as we see it today in Apapa; the largest import and export corridor in Nigeria. If Apapa is better managed, the economy of Nigeria will heave sigh of relief. A situation where trucks are parked on the road for days, if not weeks, is not acceptable. We are ready to work with the government to address this issue, permanently”, Prof. Emeje, said.
Speaking on the Medical Training for members of staff drawn from Codix Pharma Limited, he said “Codix Pharma is a fast-growing Pharmaceutical Company that provides Quality Medical Devices and drugs with a focus on Cardiometabolic care products.
“With the vision to become the market leader in Cardio-metabolic care in West Africa by 2030, the management appreciates the need for the staff to be knowledgeable in ‘Emergency Logistics’. As a pharmaceutical company, they deal with a whole lot, including human and products; warehousing, sales and credit management, supply chain management, etc.
He advised the participants to put the knowledge garnered from the training to enhance operations of the company.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Adenike Odujoko said her expectations for the training were met.
“My expectation was to have a better understanding of what courier/logistics is; what it involves, and how it can be handled efficiently.”
“My expectations were exceeded as I got to understand what logistics management is, the logistics process, reverse logistics, and importance to the business, ports operations…to mention but a few.
I also got to understand the correct use of several terms which are commonly used ‘interchangeably’.
“The training will help me make informed decisions regarding the choice of 3PL, and how to engage them to ensure better services.
The training will also help me put policies and procedures in place for logistics, warehousing e.t.c., for the company.”
Courier and Logistics Management Institute is the only institute in the world that offers four packages – courier, logistics, transport and management – as a body.