By Muhammad Bashir

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) commenced the sensitisation program on Monday, 22 April, 2024, for the enrollment of an automated retiree verification system for high-ranking officers who have retired from the Service.

The programme, the first of its kind, was designed to serve as a platform through which all retired Deputy Comptroller Generals (DCGs), Assistant Comptroller Generals (ACGs), and Comptrollers could be electronically verified to modernise the analogue process of benefits application for retired officers.

Addressing the retirees at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, represented by Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs (DCG) in-charge of Finance Administration & Technical Service, Festus Okun, described the initiative as timely and assured them of a seamless verification exercise.

He said, “Esteemed retirees, it is with great honour that I address you today on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. This initiative to engage in a seamless verification exercise is timely and proof of the service’s commitment to ensuring your welfare and well-being after years of dedicated service to the Customs Service.”

“We understand the importance of this verification process in ensuring that you receive the benefits and entitlements you rightly deserve. Rest assured, we are dedicated to making this process as smooth and efficient as possible, with the utmost transparency and accountability.

“As Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs overseeing Finance Administration & Technical Service, I assure you that your concerns and needs are our top priority. We value your contributions to the Customs, and we are committed to supporting you in every possible way as you transition into retirement. Thank you for your service, and we look forward to assisting you through this verification process.”

During the verification exercise, some retired officers who voiced their feedback applauded the initiative, stating, “This positive reception emphasises the significance of this endeavour in streamlining access to benefits and entitlements, reaffirming the dedication to serving retirees with the utmost care and diligence.”

By Femi Anamelechi

Comptroller Michael Awe, in charge of Murtala Muhammed Airport Command, has called on officers and men of the command to rededicate themselves to duty to ensure an increase in revenue generation.

The new Customs Area Controller (CAC), while addressing officers at his inaugural parade at the command on Wednesday, 24 April 2024, called for synergy and cooperation of officers while also warning against any act of sabotage.

He said, “I need your synergy not less than 100% and above. You can do your job diligently with diplomacy, and you will achieve results. Please, and please, try to strategise to ensure your objectives are achieved. Your examination should be 100%. Our pledge is to surpass what we have been generating monthly and daily.”

The CAC also noted the need for all officers to ensure due diligence and maintain discipline in their official duties, as it is the only way to increase revenue generation.

Stating further, Comptroller Awe assured regular appraisal and commendation of officers based on outstanding performance.

“Henceforth, any officer that performs very well, either monthly or quarterly, will be appraised and commended,” he noted.

The Area Controller also urged officers to always dress properly and smartly in the official uniforms approved by the Nigeria Customs Service so as to attract self-respect and dignity.

He assured of a rewarding work relationship with their cooperation.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a significant reorganisation of its leadership, with the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adeniyi approving the deployment of new Customs Area Controllers and Comptrollers of Units.

The changes, which aim to strengthen the Service’s operations and enhance its effectiveness, affect several key Commands and Units, including the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A and B, the Western Marine Command, and Area II Command Onne, among others.

As part of the shake-up, Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu has been redeployed to the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters, while Comptroller Kola Oladeji has taken over as the new head of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A.

During a handover and valedictory press conference held at the unit’s headquarters on April 19, 2024, Ejibunu highlighted the successes achieved during his tenure, including improved suppression of smuggling, increased revenue generation, and enhanced stakeholder engagement.

Other formations affected by the wind of change are the Western Marine Command Area II Command Onne, among others.

Similarly, the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone “C” has said that it seized contrabands worth N7,577,259,390.00 between 25 January 2023 and 19 April 2024.

Outgoing Comptroller Kayode Kolade disclosed this in a farewell message while handing over to his successor and new Comptroller of the Unit, Michael Ugbagu.

Kolade thanked the CGC and his entire management team for the trust and confidence bestowed on him to serve as Comptroller, FOU “C” and for replacing him with Ugbagu, known to be a thorough enforcement guru.

Also, Comptroller Baba Imam was not left out as he officially passed the mantle of leadership of Nigeria Customs Service, Area II Command, Onne to Comptroller Mohammed Babandede.

The handover ceremony, held on Friday, 19 April 2024, at the Nigeria Customs Service Area II Command in Onne, was graced by various commanders, heads of security agencies, and stakeholders from the port environment.

Comptroller Baba Imam expressed gratitude to God and commended the CGC for the opportunity to serve. He attributed the Command’s successes, including unprecedented revenue generation, to enhanced synergy, intelligence sharing, and cooperation among security agencies and stakeholders.

The Western Marine Command equally welcomed Comptroller Paul Bamisaiye, who assumed the leadership of the Western Marine Command (WMC) of the Nigeria Customs on 19 April 2024.

Bamisaiye reiterated his commitment to eradicating smuggling along the Western waterways by focusing on seizures, arrests, and prosecution.

The CAC emphasised that the Command is solely an enforcement unit, adding that boats and other operational platforms would be equipped with armaments to enhance their anti-smuggling capabilities.

The Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘B’, Kaduna, witnessed a change of leadership as Comptroller Wada Chedi handed over to Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu.

While delivering his speech, the outgoing Comptroller, Wada appreciated the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for the opportunity given to him to serve as the Comptroller of the Unit and also for the new assignments ahead.

He commended the unrelenting support and dedication of the Officers and Men of the Unit while urging them to extend the same support he enjoyed to the new Unit Comptroller, Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu.

Additionally, Comptroller Mohammed Yusuf, in charge of the Nigeria Customs Service, Murtala Mohammed Airport Command, handed over the mantle of leadership to the new Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Michael Awe.

In a ceremony held at the command on 17 April 2024, the outgoing Comptroller, Yusuf, expressed gratitude to God and his subordinates for ensuring peace within the Command, adding that “when I came in, the revenue target was N225m daily, shortly after, the target was increased to ₦400m, but we were able to make 90.2% of the revenue target”.

The leadership changes are seen as a strategic move to inject fresh perspectives and ideas into the Service and better position it to tackle emerging challenges and opportunities.