By Lucy Nyambi
Comptroller Effiong Harrison, on Wednesday, 10 September 2025, handed over the leadership of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service to Comptroller Chidi Nwokorie, following his retirement after 35 years of meritorious service.
In his farewell remarks, Harrison expressed gratitude to officers and men of the command for their dedication and professionalism during his tenure.
“I want to express my appreciation to all of you from different units and to all of the services that we have rendered to the government and ourselves as members of the Nigeria Customs Service. In our time, we had no incident or trouble that warranted somebody being dismissed or interdicted. We leveraged on intelligence and worked in the best possible way, day and night”, he said.
The outgoing Customs Area Controller described the new CAC’s posting as a welcome development, praising his background and experience as assets to the command.
“When I heard that the new Customs Area Controller is coming from Kebbi, I felt highly elated, that at least we have somebody who will have the national security consciousness at the back of his mind. I am confident that, from your experiences in other sectors and the service you have rendered to your country, you will be able to take us to the next level”, he noted.
He urged officers to extend their loyalty and support to the new Customs Area Controller to sustain the progress achieved at the command.
In his response, Comptroller Nwokorie thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the MMIA Command.
“I want to thank the Almighty God for a special day like this. I also thank the CGC, Adewale Adeniyi, for finding me worthy to come and represent him here. While sitting here, there’s no way I’ll know everything that’s happening. You, the officers on the field, are my eyes. I strongly believe that we will all work together in peace and harmony”, he noted.
The new Customs Area Controller assured officers he would adopt an open-door policy and inclusive leadership style. He pledged to work as a team player in driving the command’s performance and contributions to national revenue and security.
