Skip to main content

PBAT ECOWAS Appointment Will Promote Regional Integration, Border Security - Ag CGC

By Anne Ejuka


The Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has lauded the appointment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.


Ag. CGC Adewale Adeniyi MFR, who met with the President in a private visit on the 11th of July, 2023, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, expressed joy as his appointment coincided with his emergence as the Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service. 


Adewale said he is hopeful that the President's appointment will bring better regional integration, cooperation, border security and coordinated monetary affairs.

 

According a press release from the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Abdullahi Maiwada, the Ag CG said part of the discussions with President Tinubu is to actively engage Customs administrations across the borders, particularly the strategic ones and collaborate to achieve common objectives of border security and regional integration. 


"I will be paying an official visit to the Republic of Benin, to have discussions with the Customs Administration of Benin to address the issues of border security, importation across the border, and more importantly, the deployment of technological solutions to very complex border problems," he added.


He also seized the opportunity to express profound gratitude to Mr President for finding him worthy to be the Acting Comptroller General of Customs while stating that the opportunity to meet with the President is fruitful and engaging. 


"Mr President is a very good listener. We had discussions regarding what Customs can bring to the table, in terms of actualizing  the vision of renewed hope for Nigeria, bridging the gaps in revenue generation, enforcement strategies, and most importantly, promoting port efficiency and competitiveness”.


The Acting Comptroller-General of Customs also assured of a pragmatic move towards decongestion of Nigerian ports to enhance revenue generation, facilitation of legitimate trade and suppression of smuggling.


The CGC added, "I am sure you are very familiar with the Presidential Advisory Council and there is a document which has been made public. Our discussions also centred around aligning the vision of Customs, the activities of Customs in short, medium and long terms with those noble objectives set out in PAC documents," 


Addressing the rumour of integrating government agencies, Adewale said he is not privy to any information about that yet and further explained that, though there is a common base between all the agencies that are generating revenue for the Country and there are some cross-cutting issues.


 "There are some areas where we overlap and there are some areas where we can complement each other but in terms of bringing the agencies together under one organization, we are yet to get details of that and we will be waiting to get the details and see how that pans out," he noted.

 

He further explained the ongoing processes to review the current situation against the objective of the border closure itself with the assurance that when the borders are reopened, it is not going to be the subject of rumour in any way.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NCS Medical Team Trains Apapa Area Command Officers On First Aid

By Anne Ejuka
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) medical team yesterday trained officers and men of the Apapa Area Command on basic first aid training. ‎ ‎The Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba according to a press release issued by the public relations officer of the command, Superintendent of Customs SC JT Ayagbalo described the initiative as a crucial investment in workplace safety and operational readiness. ‎ ‎In his welcome address, Comptroller Oshoba emphasized that the programme reflects the priority placed on staff welfare by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR. ‎ ‎He described first aid knowledge as a universal life skill that every adult should possess, especially officers as they are frequently exposed to high-risk operational environments. ‎ ‎ Oshoba noted that simple but timely interventions such as; CPR, bleeding control, choking relief and stroke recognition often determine whether a victim survives, fully recov...
Post a Comment
Read more

NIMASA Reshuffles Management Team For Enhanced Efficiency And Inter-departmental Collaboration

By Anne Ejuka
I n an exercise aimed  at strengthening  inter-departmental collaboration and inject new energy into the system to further improve performance and enhance efficiency across the maritime sector, The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has announced a strategic redeployment of its management staff as part of efforts to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery in line with its core mandate.   Under the new structure, according to a press statement issued by Mr. Edward Osagie FNIPR,  Head, Public Relations Officer of the agency, a total of 56 management staff were affected in the exercise. Notable amongst those redeployed are; Hajia Moji Jimoh who becomes Director, Administration and Human Resources; Aishatu Jidda, Director, Planning, Research and Data Management Services; Barr. Heaky Dimowo, Director, Legal Services/Board Secretary; Isichei Osamgbi, Director, SERVICOM; and Mrs. Olubusola Obasanjo-Akande, Director, Western Zone. Othe...
Post a Comment
Read more

Comptroller Otunla Gives Insights On Strategies Adopted In Achieving Mandate At Ogun1 Command

By Anne Ejuka
Comptroller Godwin Aderounmu Otunla, who assumed duties as Customs Area Controller of Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigerian Customs Service Idiroko, Ogun State on Thursday 24th of April 2025 has continued to build on existing successes, strengthening the fight against smuggling and emphasizing his commitment to professionalism and integrity in customs operations. The Comptroller, in an exclusive interview with a group of selected journalists at the command's headquarters in Idiroko last Friday in the presence of the Public Relations Officers of the Command, CSC Chado Zakari revealed strategies he has adopted in achieving his mandate of trade facilitation, anti smuggling and revenue generation not leaving out officers welfare at the command. Excerpts : Question : Sir, having served for upward of 34 years now and reaching the pinnacle rank of Comptroller of Customs, and Customs Area Controller, how would you describe the feelings sir?‎ Response: Yes, am very, very elated with good ...
Post a Comment
Read more