By Sandra Chukwunyere
…As Journalists Call for
More Power, Political Support for Customs to Deliver on Mandate
The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has been lauded for convincing the Federal Government to suspend the implementation of the 4% Free-on-Board (FOB) value on imports into the country.
Speaking at the ceremony for the presentation of “Iconic Maritime Personality of the Year Award 2024” to the CGC by Nigerian Maritime Journalists in Lagos on Thursday, a maritime icon and former National President of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu JP, said the suspension is a relief to importers and Customs agents.
Calling CGC Adeniyi the CG of Customs as well as the CG of licensed Customs agents and freight forwarders, Shittu, who was the Chairman of the occasion noted that the CGC was instrumental to his success when he was the National President of ANLCA as he used to guide him with advice.. He congratulated the CGC for the well deserved award coming from maritime journalists, the watchdogs of the sector.
The Chairman, Customs Consultative Council, Alhaji Hakeem Olanrewaju, eulogized the qualities of CGC Adeniyi and congratulated him for being celebrated by the maritime press with the award of Iconic Maritime Personality of the Year 2024.
Olanrewaju called the attention of Customs licensed agents to the fact that things have changed and enjoined his colleagues in the freight forwarding business to have attitudinal change.
The Vice President, ANLCA, Prince Olusegun Oduntan, commended the CGC for being a grassroots leader who listens to the people, an attitude that has brought a positive change. He promised that his association will continue to partner with Nigeria Customs under the CGC leadership.
In his own speech, the National President, Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), Otunba Frank Ogunojemite described the CGC as a downright good man and a natural leader. He stated that the CGC was his class captain in the university and later the President of the department. He added that he was a sports enthusiast who later became the leader of Man ‘o’ War.
Describing him as extremely patriotic and very humble, he said that the CGC has been keeping his old friends without looking at his present status.
Speaking on behalf of the maritime journalists, Mr. Oke Ibeke, commended the CGC Adeniyi for his superlative performance which has changed the narrative in Customs.
Ibeke commended the CGC for delivering on his mandate in areas of revenue collection, anti-smuggling activities, trade facilitation and others.
He noted that this was the first time journalists from various media houses covering a sector would agree jointly to honour a chief executive officer of an agency. Ibeke pointed out that the unusual agreement was not for sycophancy but to give honour to a man who is a game changer.
He said that President Bola Tinubu must have seen in the CGC special qualities of accomplished administrator before making him the CGC, adding that he has not disappointed the President for once.
Emphasizing that Customs is key to the economic development of any nation, Ibeke called on the Federal Government to give the Service more power and political support to be able to deliver better on its mandate.
