Shaibu Takes Over as Controller of Ogun 1 Customs Command

Joy Mmereole Okoli

*** as Compt. Bamidele generated N225billion in less than 18months

Controller Shuaibu Ahmadu Bello, takes over as the new Area controller in charge of Ogun 1 Area Command, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) from Comptroller Bamidele Makinde at a brief handover ceremony held yesterday 18th September 2023 at Idiroko, Ogun State.

While giving his handover speech, Controller, Shuaibu thanked his predecessor for an outstanding performance at the command and promised to discharge his duty diligently and uphold the policy thrust of the CGC. He said the new position is a call to higher responsibility but promised to work as a team player in other to sustain the achievement on ground.

“I am highly impressed with the presence of some of our critical stakeholders within and outside the country, indeed, this is evidence of cordial working relationship. Let me congratulate my boss and good brother, Comptroller Bamidele Makinde on his successful tour of duty with laudable achievements.

“I am not surprised by his impeccable performance because you are an articulate and result-oriented leader. Sir, I assure you of continuity and sustaining your performance tempo. Thank you for garnering support for my administration and wishing me well. I wish you success in your new endeavor.

“ I would like to state that, I am a team player and believe so much in teamwork. I urge all Officers and Men of Ogun 1 Area Command to work as a team adhere strictly to the rules of engagement and discharge their duty in conformity with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Act 2023.

“However, let me sound a note of warning to smugglers and their accomplices, their nefarious activities will not be condoned, and anyone caught in the act, shall be brought to book.

“May I use this medium to assure the business community and our critical stakeholders, that the new administration will operate an open door policy, and strengthen the existing relationship with the Command”, he said.

However, the outgoing CAC, Comptroller Makinde who is expected to take up another responsibility at the Service Headquarters in Abuja, urged all stakeholders and officers of the Command to redouble their efforts and give the incoming administration maximum support and cooperation to sustain the performance tempo of the Command.

He also gave account of his stewardship as the Area Controller of the Command with the service mandate of revenue generation, suppression of smuggling and trade facilitation.

“I wish to solicit the unflinching support of our critical stakeholders for the new Area Controller. Let me express my sincere gratitude to the Lord Almighty and to you all, for your maximum cooperation and tolerance throughout my stay in office.

“From the inception of my tenure in office (9th of February, 2022) to date, which is about 17 months, the Command has recorded some laudable achievements. During this period, the Command generated a total sum of N225,009,835.50 as revenue. Out of the revenue target of N136,532,168.22 set for the Command for the year 2023, we have generated the sum of N127,122,058.00 which is about 91% of the target, 3 months and some days to the end of the year.

“Within the 17 months in office, the Command also recorded about 1,479 seizures comprising 1,245 rounds of live Ammunition, 72,989 bugs of foreign parboiled Rice of 50kg each (which is an equivalent of 122 Trucks load), 907 bales and 236 sacks of second-hand clothing, 394 sacks and 2,678 wraps of Cannabis Sativa and 655,400 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (an equivalent of 20 Tankers load), among others, with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N6,604,107,655.92.

“It is worthy of note, that my tour of duty witnessed a significant increase in revenue generation and an improved anti-smuggling performance. The successes recorded would have been haphazard, if not for the support of NCS Headquarters. concerted efforts of our gallants Officers and Men, and robust synergy with our critical stakeholders,” he stated.