Ag. Customs CG Tasks New Recruits on Professionalism in Weapon Handling

Ag. Customs CG Tasks New Recruits on Professionalism in Weapon Handling

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has charged the newly recruited officers to imbibe the culture of handling their firearms properly as they wrap up their regimental training.

He made this call on Thursday, 21st September 2023, during the Passing Out Parade (POP) for 956 General Duty Junior Personnel who completed their Basic Course 1/2023 at Customs Training College, Goron Dutse, Kano.

The CGC, who congratulated the new officers on their POP, urged them to be good ambassadors of the Service, by protecting its integrity and reputation while discharging their constitutional duties.

He charged them to showcase a sense of professionalism in weapons handling and eschew misuse of firearms while also improving their human relations, adding that “the era of filing rampant cases of the shooting of innocent Nigerians has passed. Treat everyone with absolute respect and fairness.”

He, however, assured Nigerians that the Service will not relent in taking stiffer action on any officer who fails to respect the rights of the citizens, adding that “you are expected to serve your nation with diligence, be presentable discipline-wise and in appearance, while also maintaining the highest level of integrity at all times.

“Upholding these values is not just a duty but also a necessity. Therefore, always be smart in appearance, for it reflects the pride you take in your role as customs officers. Be the embodiment of excellence and service in every aspect of your conduct.”

He says, “The Service has strong expectations of you to contribute in revenue generation and the fight against smuggling - while also practising what you learned to counter their illegal businesses.”

The CGC, who was pleased with the display of tactical approaches by the recruits, clearly told them, “It is upon your shoulders that the responsibility of meeting the aspirations of our great nation rests. I want you to be mindful that your recruitment into the Nigeria Customs Service was merit-based.

“You are expected to serve your nation with diligence, discipline, and the highest level of integrity at all times. Upholding these values is not just a duty but a necessity. Always be smart in appearance, for it reflects the pride you take in your role as customs officers. Be the embodiment of excellence and service in every aspect of your conduct.

“In the course of your careers, you will be exposed to further training in various areas, including regimentation and weapon handling. I emphasize the need to study the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) diligently and take them seriously. These SOPs are your guide to ensuring effective customs operations.”

Speaking on how the Service has gone far in using advanced technology in carrying out its duties, the Acting Comptroller-General said, “We are living in extraordinary times where technology plays a pivotal role in customs operations. As you join the Customs Service at this juncture, your role in this digital era is crucial.”

He urged them to develop a deep understanding of technological advancements and leverage them to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Nigeria Customs Service.

The Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, who later granted interviews to journalists, called on Nigerians to support the investment policies that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu implements, expressing hope that it will end economic sabotage and smuggling in the country.

He said, “When you look at some of the policies that he has taken in terms of making businesses thrive, bringing in investors and things like that—so when you have investors, and we have these efforts to rebuild our economy, then there would be no room for smugglers or those who want to sabotage us.”

The Customs boss maintained that the fight against smugglers and their nefarious activities remains the business of all patriotic Nigerians, adding that he has been visiting border communities across the country with a view to discussing with them on collaborative efforts to end smuggling in the country.

He, however, saluted the efforts of General Duty Officers on the parade, saying, “We had a very beautiful parade - which shows that they are well-trained. It shows their capacity to handle situations. It shows comportment. It shows physical endurance. It also demonstrates resilience.”

In his remarks, the Commandant of the Customs Training College, Comptroller Rasheed Adahunse, said, “These Junior Officers graduating today were found suitable in learning and character. It is pertinent to state that this Basic Course 1/2023 commenced on the 22nd of March, 2023, and the skills displayed by the graduands were mastered within this short period along with academic activities.

“The training Courses covered topics on Enforcement, Revenue, Valuation, Export and Import Procedures, Passenger Selection, Parcel Post, Administration, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Civil Relations and many other courses, to mention but a few. Examinations were conducted to ascertain their level of assimilation and were also graded.”

The Commandant, who described the regimentation of the 2023 General Duty Staff as a successful one added that “to master the drills and excel in academic activities within six months is an excellent achievement on the part of the committed and dedicated trainers as well as the graduands.

“I would like to show my sincere gratitude to the Ag. CGC for creating time to attend this great occasion despite his tight schedules and for providing all the necessary approvals in good time, leading to the success of this exercise.” He concluded.

Nigeria Customs Collaborates with UN-Habitat to fight Smuggling

Nigeria Customs Collaborates with UN-Habitat to fight Smuggling

ZAINAB JUNAID

In what seems to be a shinning light at the end of a dark tunnel for smugglers who have refused to desist from their nefarious activities now has a bleaking hope as the anti-smuggling activities of the Nigeria Customs Service has been backed up by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN—Habitat.

The Customs was given the assurance of collaboration by the UN agency, when Ambassadors of the UN- Habitat led by Dr. Raymond Edoh, visited Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR. at the Customs Headquarters, Abuja on Tuesday, 19 September 2023.

Ag. CGC who was delighted with this development, told the representatives of the agency that under his watch, the Service will implement every necessary action against saboteurs of Nigeria's economy to cripple their ‘illegitimate’ business of smuggling.

He said, “On behalf of the entire Management Team of the Nigeria Customs Service, I wish to inform you that we will partner with you in this campaign, and we will grant you all forms of support you may need to carry out this campaign — and I want to assign one of our amiable DCGs, Abba Kura, to work with you closely.”

He appreciated how they travelled from afar to intimate the Nigeria Customs Service of their campaign against smuggling, which, according to him, the Nigeria Customs Service has already started yielding positive results in suppressing the menace of smuggling.

The CGC also welcomed Dr Raymond's offer to engage officers and men of the Service in capacity—building to enhance their understanding of digital literacy skills, adding that the Service has already started embracing technology to advance its work by introducing related courses to officers.

The CGC appreciated the collaborative effort between the Nigeria Customs Service and UN—Habitat and believes that the collaboration signifies a commitment to tackling smuggling and enhancing trade facilitation in the nation, setting the stage for a more prosperous future.

The CGC said, “What we're trying to do is to raise a modern Customs Service through partnering with stakeholders to achieve our goals because we value partnership, and I am happy that you extended your hands of collaboration to work with us.”

He also appreciated their promise to train officers and men of the Service in digital literacy skills, assuring that the Service will continue to prioritize proficiency in the fight against smuggling through technological approach.

He underscored the importance of digital skills, promising that the relevant Service department will enhance trade facilitation.

On his part, the Director of UN—Habitat, Dr. Raymond Edoh, appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reposing the responsibility of heading the Nigeria Customs Service on the Acting Comptroller-General, describing him as “a competent Customs officer who knows the terrain and masters the job.”

According to him, they decided to visit the Ag. CGC at the Customs Headquarters to express their interest in partnering with the Service.

He appreciated the Service for being a “gatekeeper of the country” that protects citizens against border threats, stressing that his organization will collaborate with NCS to mitigate the smuggling of illicit goods and train officers and men of Customs on digital literacy skills and certification.

UN-Habitat is the United Nations entity responsible for developing urban policies and translating them into action to create sustainable cities and promote viable urban development and adequate shelter for all.

Customs to Synergise with ANLCA in Eradicating Threats Against Revenue Collection

Customs to Synergise with ANLCA in Eradicating Threats Against Revenue Collection

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has urged the newly elected National Executive Committee(NECOM) of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents(ANLCA) to consider their peculiar privilege in sustaining peace amongst themselves as this will enable the Service to synergise with them to eradicate threats against revenue collection and national security.

The CGC made this call on Wednesday, 20th September, 2023, adding that the Service will maintain its position of consulting relevant stakeholders to enable its administration to succeed.

The newly elected executives were led by their National President, Emenike Kingsley Nwokeoji, BOT chairman, Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha and members of Customs Consultative Council (CCC) led by Aare Hakeem Olarenwaju to Customs Headquarters in Abuja.

CGC Adewale urged them to consider their peculiar privilege in sustaining peace amongst them, which, according to him, will encourage the Service to take them as vital partners.

"I want to use this opportunity to rekindle the good understanding and peace between yourselves so that we will be able to synergize in eradicating threats against revenue collection and national security.” He said.

He said “the ball is now in the coat of the executive, new management committee and, of course, the board members. I urge you to swing into action and start work because there is much to do to bring sanity and professionalism to the industry.”

He added that the Nigeria Customs Service now shares the challenge of consolidating the recent victory with the association - which will clear the way for innovations in the automation of procedures and benefit authorised economic operators.

The Acting Comptroller-General told the new leaders of ANLCA that the Nigeria Customs Service is willing to collaborate with them to ensure the successful facilitation of trade, adding, “We are going to hold a meeting with Customs Agents to ensure that we bring the required sanity into our operations.”

On his part, Mr. Hakeem Olanrewaju, the Chairman of the Customs Consultative Committee who led the delegation, said they were at the Corporate Headquarter of the Customs to present the newly elected National Executive Council of ANLCA to the Ag. CGC.

Mr Olanrewaju, who congratulated the Ag. CGC, on his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, assured the CGC that the Association had been put back on the rail after having a long time of experiencing hot fracas, adding that “with the intervention of the Ag. Comptroller General of Customs, the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents has embraced a collaborative peace.”

He also recalled how the Nigeria Customs Service, under the stewardship of Ag. CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi approved the establishment of a Customs Consultative Committee to broker peace in the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents. 

Also speaking, the newly elected president of the association, Emenike Kingsley Nwokeoji, appreciated the Ag CGC for taking the bull by the horns to engineer the peace deal between the faction of the association, affirming that his team have already swung into action to move the association forward.

Nwokeoji described the Ag. CGC as the sole competent officer to lead the Service rightly, saying “your appointment is timely and most deserving that our dear country needs the most for economic and development growth.”

He, however, extolled the Ag. CGC's style of leadership as one that accommodates and understands issues at stake and promptly proffers solutions to them, adding "In that regard, we wish to inform you that we count on you; we know your antecedent, and we hope you will count on us too, to achieve your objectives."

Compt. Jaiyeoba hands over Baton to Oramalugo

Oyo/Osun Customs Gets new Area Controller

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Comptroller Ben Oramalugo has officially taken over the leadership of Oyo/Osun Area Command from Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba who is now the Area Controller of Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS). 

Speaking at a brief handing over ceremony held at the Command’s conference room in Ibadan, on Monday 18th September 2023, the outgoing Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba, who steered the activities of the Command from February 2022 to September 2023, congratulated the incoming Customs Area Controller on his posting to the Oyo/Osun Area Command and gave account of his stewardship while in office as Oyo CAC. 

He disclosed that the Command under his leadership surpassed its revenue target for the year 2022 as it successfully generated the sum of ₦47,408,251,086.73 revenue and made various seizures of uncustom goods worth a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of 308,282,459.00 between the period of January and September 2023. 

Comptroller Jaiyeoba appreciated officers and Men of the Command for their cooperation, display of professionalism and resilience, as it contributed greatly to the achievement of the Command's set objectives.

He urged all Command officers to maintain the status qou of team work; perform their duties within the scope of the laws guiding the Service and extend the same cooperation he received to his successor.

The incoming Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, in his address, appreciated Almighty God for life and the solemn occasion of the handing over.

He promised to uphold the core duties of Customs officers, which includes - Revenue generation, Trade facilitation and Suppression of Smuggling; and further urged all officers to extend to him the same support given to his predecessor, to enable the Command achieve set objectives and attain greater heights.

The new CAC appreciated his predecessor, Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba for the extensive work done and laudable achievements during his tenure at Oyo/Osun Area Command, and promised to follow his footsteps. 

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.