Compt Shuaib Takes Over mantle of leadership at Ogun 1 Area Command

as Command records 1479 seizures worth ₦6.6bn DPV

ZAINAB JUNAID

Following the redeployment of Area Controllers and Heads of Units by the Ag. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, on the 6th of September, 2023, Comptroller Bamidele Makinde has handed over the mantle of leadership of Ogun 1 Area Command to Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Ahmadu Bello Shuaib as the new Area Controller.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Compt. Shuaib pledged to diligently discharge his duty and uphold the policy thrust of the CGC.

He said the new position is a call to higher responsibilty but stressed that as a team player he will sustain his principle of team work.

The new CAC called on all officers and Men of the Command to deploy the principle of team work and adhere strictly to the rules of engagement in the discharge of their duty which must be in accordance with Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

He also read riot act to smugglers and their accomplice for their nefarious activities as it will not be condoned on any ground and anyone caught in the act, shall be brought to book," he says. 

Compt. Shuaib, who has had over 30 years of experience in Customs Administration covering Strategic, Enforcement and Operational responsibilities, further assured business community and critical stakeholders within the environs of open door policy, in order to sustain and strengthen the existing relationship with the Command.

The outgoing CAC, Comptroller Makinde who is expected to take up another responsibility at the Service Headquarters in Abuja, gave account of his stewardship as the Area Controller of the Command inline with the service mandate of revenue generation, suppression of smuggling and trade facilitation.

He noted that since his assumption of duty on the 9th of February, 2023, the Command was able to record 1, 479 seizures comprising 1,245 rounds of live ammunitions, 72,989 bags of foreign parboiled Rice of 50kg each(which is an equivalent of 122 Trucks load), 907 bales & 236 sacks of Secondhand clothing, 394 sacks & 2,678 wraps of Cannabis Sativa and 655,400 litres of Premium Motor Spirit(an equivalent of 20 Tankers load), among others, equivalent to a Duty Paid Value of ₦6,604,107,655.92.

Compt. Makinde attributed his success to unflinching support derived from the service headquarters, concerned efforts of the officers and Men of the Command, and robust synergy maintained with critical stakeholders within the border area.

He thus urged officers and Men of the Command to endeavour to redouble their efforts by giving Compt. Shuaib's administration maximum support and cooperation needed to sustain the performance tempo of the Command.

Jubilations by Agents as Compt. Tilley-Gyado takes over Baton at KLT Command

Jubilations by Agents as Compt. Tilley-Gyado takes over Baton at KLT Command

ZAINAB JUNAID

Agents working within vicinity of Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) were seen jubilating and singing songs of praise as they sight the arrival of the new Customs Area Controller of the KLT Command, Tilley-Gyado MM (Mrs) chantting "Awa lokan, its going to be a favourable season for us, thank God, no more dry season."

The new Comptroller arrived the Command on Friday September 15th 2023 to officially take over baton from Comptroller Timi Bomodi who has also been redeployed to Seme Area Command to take over reigns of leadership there.

When asked the reason behind their jubilations, one of the agents revealed that Comptroller Tilley-Gyado has always being a woman of honour, respect and someone that never turn agents down in times of need.

"The new Comptroller is our person at this terminal and we've always appreciate her stay back then and I believe she will do more now that she is our new Comptroller," the agent had said.

Meanwhile, at the handing over ceremony, Comptroller Bomodi noted that the Command was given a revenue target of sixty two billion, two hundred million naira (#62,200,000,000.00) but as at the time of handing over power to the new Area Controller, the Command has generated the sum of thirty six billion, nine hundred and thirty million naira only (#36,930,000,000.00). 

This according to him, represents about 59.37% of the total revenue target for 2023. A 22.44% increase of revenue collected for the same period under review for the year 2022, that is, thirty billion, one hundred and sixty million naira (#30,160,000,000.00).

Comptroller Martina Tilley-Gyado on her part, praised God for his mercy and for making the feat a realisable one and also appreciated the Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for finding her worthy of the appointment and promised to meet management's expectations.

The new CAC stressed that her leadership would adopt emotional intelligence strategies and adopt Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis in addressing matters related to revenue collection, anti-smuggling, trade facilitation, and robust stakeholders engagement to improve compliance.

"I am here to deploy emotional intelligence, which comprises teamwork, interpersonal relationships, and knowledge of the environment," She said. 

Customs Boss Charges NTFC on Trade Facilitation Agreement

Customs Boss Charges NTFC on Trade Facilitation Agreement 

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Ag. Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has charged members of the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) on adopting strategic method that will help enhance the implementation of trade facilitation agreement and take bold, courageous decisions to improve Nigeria's rankings in various indexes. 

CGC Adewale gave the charge at the 2-day National stakeholders retreat held in Lagos recently to implement trade facilitation Agreement in Nigeria.

He explained that the NCS has taken some measures in furtherance of its trade facilitation mission, which includes the automation of trade procedures. 

"Customs has raised the bar with the recent launch of the advanced ruling and the recent migration from fast track 2.0 to the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) system.

The AEO is a globally recognized program introduced by the  Customs Organization to secure and facilitate global trade. 

He noted that the committee has played a vital advisory role in all trade-related matters. 

"A number of member countries of the World Trade Organization(WTO) have made a very good use of this Committee which has played not only a very strong advisory role but has also built a very good report and role in all matters related to trade. 

"We will identify such countries and, working with all our stakeholders, I will propose that we also make benchmarking visits to study best practices, to note what works in those places and what does not work and why our system can also measure up with what they're doing," he added.

He further charged members of the committee to be deliberate in their action, especially when implementing Trade Facilitation Agreement. 

"I really want to charge us that we must be deliberate in our actions, we must be honest in reviewing our current state in the implementation of the trade facilitation agreement, and we must be ready to take very bold and courageous decisions to improve our rankings in various indexes.

"As we gather in this event, I encourage robust discussions and the sharing of innovative ideas that will contribute to the sustainable economic growth and development of Nigeria," he concluded. 

Jaiyeoba Assumes Duty as Apapa Customs Controller, Express Optimism to Surpass Target

...Command Generates N676bn revenue in Seven months, N136bn in August 2023

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The new Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba has expressed high optimism to sustain and surpass targets and ensure full compliance at the nation's foremost port. 

Compt. Jaiyeoba who took over from his predecessor, ACG Auwal Baba Mohammed, in Lagos on Tuesday, September 12th 2023, said he is aware of how tasky his new assignment is but is fully ready to actualize his goals. 

He solicited the cooperation of officers and port users to sustain and surpass the impressive revenue records achieved by his predecessor who was the Command's Area Controller before his recent elevation to Assistant Comptroller General Technical Services at Customs Headquarters.

While thanking the Acting Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR for the new task, he pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessor in the area of revenue, trade facilitation and anti smuggling. 

Comptroller Jaiyeoba also promised to adopt open door policy that will help foster trade, prevent revenue leakages and suppress smuggling.

Meanwhile, ACG Auwal Mohammed

in his valedictory speech, thanked Almighty Allah for His grace and mercy, and expressed profound appreciation to the Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for his recent visit to Lagos Ports which to him really motivated and encouraged all personnels at the Nigeria Customs Service to deliver more. 

To him, "the joy of moving forward to serve our great country in higher office is laced with the nostalgic feeling of missing my colleagues, officials from other services and all other stakeholders in the Apapa port community." 

On revenue generated by the Command, ACG Auwal Mohammed disclosed that Apapa Command generated over N676billion as revenue between January and July and made the highest monthly revenue collection of N136 billion in August 2023.

"It is noteworthy that on 3rd August 2023 Apapa Customs achieved the highest daily revenue in the command's history with the collection of N10.09 billion. These figures and attainments are aftermath of dedication, intelligence, commitment and of course, zero tolerance for duty evasion.

"I recall the many intervention steps taken through alerts and issuance of demand notices to maximally collect identified shortfall revenues in duty payments after meticulous examinations.

We are assigned here to collect revenue, suppress smuggling and facilitate lawful trade. These are responsibilities bestowed with trust and as patriotic

citizens, we must never betray the trust. Knowing that our job touches directly on the national economy, we have to discharge our duty having

service and honesty in mind.

"For my friends in other services, our camaraderie as agents working for one government, united against criminals and deviants paid off with prevention of unlawful activities in Apapa Port.

"May I add that our inter-agency relationship with other government organizations contributed in making the area a crime free zone and few attempts to test our resolve met resistance. Seizures of arms, drugs and trade goods under prohibition during the seven months period attests to this reality.

"At this juncture, I want to specifically thank all my brothers and sisters in the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Department of State Service (DSS), Nigerian Army (NA), Nigerian Navy (NN), Nigeria Police (NP), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control

(NAFDAC), Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Port Health Service (PHS) and others.

"Our cooperation worked for the good of Nigeria and it is noble for us to stay on that path. Inter-agency synergy is the first bold step to frustrate

crime and criminals in the port environment.

"We should never underestimate the essence of gathering, processing and sharing of credible intelligence, especially at the leadership level of our various service within the port. When crime is nipped in the bud at the port level, it means unwholesome things harmful to citizens health or capable of posing danger to the social and economic wellbeing of the society won't find their way into our country.

"I want to request that a higher level of cooperation be given to my successor. This existing synergy should be sustained and improved upon," ACG Auwal stressed. 

Nigeria Customs Partners Benin Republic Counterpart

to Enhance Trade Facilitation 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The Nigerian Customs Service has partnered the Republic of Benin Customs Administration to manage cross-border trade between the two Countries. 

Ag. Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi made this known on Monday, 11th September 2023, while declaring open a two-day interactive session between the Nigeria Customs Service and Benin Republic Customs in Abuja.

The interactive session aimed at strengthening existing bilateral trade ties and cooperation between the two countries, which will pave way for a comprehensive mechanism to harmonize the import prohibition lists of the two countries.

Speaking at the meeting, the Ag. CGC appreciated the Benin Customs and Embassy of the country for expressing interest in collaborating with the Nigeria Customs Service to enhance trade facilitation.

He said, “It is our hope that the program will address the issues of trade and set a roadmap for implementation of new strategies that will enhance the economy and revenue in Nigeria and Benin Republic. Thus, our organizations need to come up with ideas that will address the issues of transit and other progressive measures.”

The Ag. CGC added that with the increasing global security challenges, the need for both customs administrations to work in synergy cannot be over-emphasized. "This mutual collaboration will help boost our relationship and also improve the economy of both two nations." 

Border Security: Customs Strengthen Relationship with Nigerian Army

  to fight Smuggling

ZAINAB JUNAID

In a bid to seamlessly extend humanitarian support to victims of insurgency at Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) camps and also fight against smuggling and counter-terrorism, the Nigeria Customs Service has strengthened the long existing relationship and formidable bond between the Service and Nigeria Army.

The Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, expressed the need for the two agencies to actively collaborate more in curbing smuggling and other border threats, while commending the Nigerian Army’s efforts in combating the menace of insecurity in Nigeria. 

Ag. CGC Adewale stated this on Monday, 11th September 2023, when he led a high-powered delegation on a courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

The Ag. Comptroller-General, while congratulating the Chief of Army Staff, stressed that Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja's appointment is no longer news, but  felt obliged to congratulate him on his well-deserved position. 

To him, "The seamless collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Army would provide the opportunity for the two agencies to work together and improve their expertise in the areas of fight against smuggling, counter-terrorism, intelligence and extending humanitarian support to the public.

“We need this active collaboration with the Nigerian Army to enable us to kickstart our social program of distributing relief items to the victims of insurgency at IDP Camps, and we want the Nigerian Army to provide us with security and logistics while conveying this stuff.” Ag. CGC said.

He also appreciated the long-existing relationship and formidable bond between the two agencies saying, “We have collaborated in several missions that succeeded in curbing smuggling, hence the need to form a formidable force to fight against enemies of the state.

“I wish to extend our sincere request to strengthen our ties to address the illegal inflow of dangerous goods and other threats to national sovereignty. ” 

He added that the steadfast support that the Nigerian Army gives to Officers and Men of the Nigeria Customs Service has enhanced their skills in many areas.

In response, the COAS, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, thanked the Ag. Comptroller-General of Customs for visiting him and assured him of the Nigerian Army's unflinching support to strengthen the security at the border areas.

According to him, “We must continue to collaborate to make sure we synergize and work closely in the areas of maintaining national security and training, and the Nigerian Army will continue to partner with Customs towards border-related issues and interests across the Federation.”

He maintained that such collaboration would continue to provide valuable opportunities for the Officers and Men of the Nigeria Customs Service to acquire new skills and knowledge, recalling that the two Security agencies have since been good partners in progress.

Customs CG Visits FOU Zone B

Pledges to Revamp Customs Primary School, Barnawa

ZAINAB JUNAID

As part of his commitment to suppress the menace of smuggling activities in the Country, the Acting Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has charged officers of FOU Zone B Command, Kaduna, to redouble their efforts in frustrating business for unpatriotic citizens who venture into smuggling activities within the edges of the Zone. 

The CGC made this charge in Kaduna when he visited the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘B’ as part of his official working tours to the Customs Formations in the country.

He asked the officers to worsen business activities of smugglers through intensifying border patrol and confiscating unlawful items that will lead to the success of generating revenue for the Nigerian government.

CGC Adewale later commended the role of the officers and men of the Service at the Zone for maintaining their stand while discharging their duty. He assured them that the Service will not turn blind eyes on any officer who exhibits courage in the cause of his work.

“While I commend the officers who engineer good seizures in this Zone, I also wish to charge you all to be more steadfast in discharging your duties with the provisions of the law to suppress the smuggling of unlawful substances,” he says. 

He added that the Service has renewed its strategy for assessing officers who performed excellently in service, emphasizing that “the era of making contact with officers who are ahead of you by rank to assist you pass your examinations has passed.”

The Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘B’, Comptroller Musa Ibrahim Jalo on his part, briefed the Ag. CGC on the success achieved so far especially in area of revenue generated.

He told the CGC that the milestones attained by the Unit were possible due to his new tactics of engaging community members and stakeholders in the Unit. "Intelligence information has led to the seizure of foreign rice, petroleum products, marijuana amongst other items," he said. 

To him, "the Customs-Community relationship in the Unit is already paying good results, as we have recently recovered  N2,500,636,150 in revenue, this is due to the commitment of the officers at the Unit". 

However, on a seperate visit to Customs Primary School Barnawa, Kaduna, the CGC pledged to create a conducive atmosphere for both management and wards of the School.

He said the Service under his leadership is committed to promote education through Customs' Social Program. "We are currently observing problems encountered by the school and will surely place it on superficial level.

"We will do the best we can to raise the spirit of this school and to properly educate the wards of the residents. We have enough to chew to ensure that we renovate the school because we all love our children to have a better knowledge," he stressed. 

On existing relationships with stakeholders in the community, the Ag. Comptroller General appreciated the harmonious alliance which will have greater impact mpact in theircompliance with Customs rules.

“It is because we have a good relationship that you agreed to come and sit down with us here — whereas if the alliance is not good, you will just stay at the back of your fence and begin to talk down on us that there is no point to meet those people who don't value us. I want to appreciate you for the service that you have rendered in Kaduna and to the entire structure of the Nigeria Customs Service. We respect and take you all with high esteem as our partners.

“I am therefore extending a new hand of collaboration with you to work together so that we will always address your challenges because we recognize you as contributors in transforming the country through strengthening its security," he said