By Lucy Nyambi

Comptroller Kola Oladeji in charge of Federal Operations Unit Zone A, has on Thursday, 16 May 2024 in Lagos, kicked off his official assignment with a familiarisation visit to traditional rulers in the South West Zones.

Comptroller Oladeji visited His Royal Majesties, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Yisa Adeniyi Olaniyan, the Onikpokia of Ikpokia Kingdom and Oba Matthew Akindele, the Olu of Owode Yewa Land.

According to him, the NCS is achieving it core mandates of trade facilitation, suppression of smuggling, and revenue generation with a human face by getting closer to the grassroots.

He said, “We attach much importance to these communities and for customs community relations to be strengthened, we look for Royal Fathers for their blessing and guidance.”

“We have been doing it since the inception of the current Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, he has not stopped bringing in innovations with the aid of technology on how we can discharge our responsibilities and it has giving credence to what you are seeing in customs”.

Comptroller Oladeji emphasized the importance of support from Royal fathers in discharging the mandates of the service, while also promising that, “we shall continue to discharge our responsibilities within the ambits of the law and observations of rules of engagement”.

His Royal Majesty, the Olu of Owode Yewa land stated that, “the chaos that we experience with customs officers has been reduced drastically, we thank you so much for that and also thank the federal government”.

He called for employment of the youths and more cordial relationship that will foster peace and tranquility in the community.

By Abass Quadri

Newly promoted Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Nsikan Umoh, who was before now in charge of Lagos Industrial Command has highlighted the achievements of the command within 7 months.

In her valedictory press briefing at the command, on Friday, 17 May 2024, ACG Umoh announced that the command collected revenue to the tune of N17 billion.

She explained that the revenue generated was between October 2023 to April 2024.

According to her, “The monthly generated revenue collection from November 2023 has been averagely between 2.4 billion to 2.5 billion. With overwhelming support and cooperation of traders, brokers, and our dedicated officers, we were able to generate N4,251,165,917.07 in the month of April which is the highest recorded in about two decades.”

Speaking on other achievements, ACG Umoh stated that five factories are currently undergoing documentation for excise control.

She appreciated stakeholders for a fruitful experience while also attributing the successes recorded under her watch due to diligence and consistent engagement with stakeholders.

Stakeholders at the event commended the ACG for her effort during her short time at the command. Ike Emeka, Managing Director for Masterpiece Nigeria Limited said, “Aside her encouragement which helps us grow, she will let you know when and how to do more.”

By Vivian Daniel

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Borno /Yobe Command, Comptroller Muhammed Malah has begun notable moves towards fortifying and synergising its relationships with other sister agencies in Borno and Yobe State.

This was conveyed in a press statement signed on 17 May, 2024 by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Joshua Iliya, in Maiduguri, an action described as key to defeating criminality and promoting national security while stating a commitment to implement duty collection in line with Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

The Customs Area Controller was on familiarisation tour to sister security agencies where he requested regular intelligence sharing and continuous alliance while noting that “It has become of great significance to foster oneness in the task to safeguard the country and curb illegalities like smuggling”.

Comptroller Malah while recounting all government military and paramilitary agencies as children of the same parents added that the operational eccentricities of Borno and Yobe States as well as the entire North East region of the country require operational harmony at all times.

The CAC who assumed office on 21 February 2024, as part of his familiarisation tour, commenced the courtesy calls on 6 March where he met with the Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North East, Operation ‘Hadin Kai’, Acting Sector Commander FRSC, Borno Sector Command, Commissioner of Police, Borno State Command, Director Department of State Service Borno State, Air component Commander, Operation ‘Hadin Kai’ and Zonal Commander EFCC, Maiduguri Zonal Command.

During a visit to the Maiduguri plant of Nigeria Bottling Company Limited to see things for himself, the Area Controller said provisions of the NCS Act 2023 relating to Excise Duty collection will be made fully effective.

The CAC equally visited the Executive Secretary of Borno Geographic Information Service (BOGIS) to ascertain its status and secure papers for the Customs properties in Borno state as well as establish contact with the Surveyor-General of the State on the same matter.

Other areas visited include the Commander, NDLEA, Borno State Command, and State Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (ICPC). He also paid homage to His Royal Highness, the Shehu of Borno, Shehu Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi.

Comptroller Malah expressed gratitude to heads of various agencies and traditional rulers for their past cooperation with the Service while reassuring them that he would build on the emoluments of the past leaderships to achieve more successes.