By Bon Peters
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has partnered with the Area II Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Onne, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on ways to mitigate the impact of stress among freight forwarders.
At a sensitization campaign tagged Stress Management in the Maritime Industry last week with some select journalists, the NAGAFF Chapter Chairman for Onne, Seaport, Mr Ike Okechukwu Anselem, said the pressure his colleagues go through while performing their daily business activities motivated him to carry out such awareness initiative.
He regretted that the group lost a member a month ago to a heart attack as he died after work “shouting my heart my heart,” noting that he felt so bad for the loss and decided that his members should take the issue of their health seriously to ascertain their wellness.
Mr Anselem reiterated that as an ardent believer in the saying that health is wealth, he would do everything within his power to ensure the health and safety of his members.
On how to sustain the programme, he hinted that “today’s programme is a pilot one and we intend to continue it and make it more elaborate by inviting psychologists and other medical practitioners.”
Continuing, he praised the Onne Customs Command especially the CAC, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, for providing their medical team for the programme even as he urged his members and other freight forwarders to key into the programme to check their blood pressure, and blood sugar level, cholesterol and other inherent ailments that can cause heavy damage to their body system and nip them in the bud before they can escalate.
On her part, the resource person for the event, Mrs TR. Omarijvwie, applauded NAGAFF for the sensitization programme, insisting it was a good idea for the freight forwarders to always go for regular Medical check-ups.
Speaking on stress, she noted that stress has become part of people’s daily routine as according to her; even a child has its own stress in the form of crowing, standing up, and growing among others, noting that, “The world of achievement is a world of stress.”
She said when stress is not managed, it can affect the vital organs in the body such as kidneys, liver, and heart among others even as she advised that people should be content with what they have and not stretch above their limit as such is one of the causes of stress.
According to her, stress is caused by daily hassles, trauma, relocation, the death of a loved one, financial stress, and family matters, among others.
The medical practitioner said some physical indications of stress include sweating, increased heartbeat, dry mouth, pressure to urinate, anxiety, fear, anger, depression, and changes in behaviour, such as smoking, excessive drinking, and drug abuse.
She said to manage stress, maritime industry workers can relax, take deep breaths, especially in a clean environment, choose their hobbies like playing lawn tennis, or table tennis and also decongest their minds and talk to people and be positive.
Adedapo Adesanya 
Aduragbemi Omiyale