By Felix Mordi
Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu’s seven months stewardship in Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) ended, Tuesday, April 16, amidst overwhelming outpouring of accolades as he officially trasmitted the baton of leadership to Comptroller James Folorunso Ojo, in a colorful ceremony that attracted dignitaries from all walks of life.
Shuaibu, who assumed office in Ogun 1 Command in September, 2023, proceeds to the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘B’, Kaduna, in a major shake-up recently announced by the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
A consummate anti-smuggling czar, whose short stint at the hitherto violence-prone area, became the toast of all and sundry, which was marked by his magnificent record of zero-casualty achievements.
In his emotion-laden farewell speech, Comptroller Shuaibu emphatically noted that the command “experienced a substantial in revenue generation with minimum to zero casualties”.
He said, “throughout our period of operation, we recorded zero-casualty”, a far-reaching transition from the former position of the area, with a connotative slogan of “battle-field to a peaceful command”.
The outgoing CAC, eminently described as a performer per excellence, while recounting his seemingly unequalled feat, attributed it to the patriotism of officers and men, as well as the symbiotic synergy between the command and sister agencies, not leaving out the cooperation of traditional rulers in the axis.
Reeling out the monumental impact of his erstwhile boss, who preferred to be addressed as a leader, the command’s Public Relations Officer (CPRO), CSC Hammed Bukoye Oloyede, stated that, on the night of his assumption of duty on September 18, 2023, “the command recorded a spectacular seizure of vehicles loaded with smuggled bags of foreign parboiled rice and a large quantity of Cannabis Sativa.
“This was achieved through credible intelligence; a milestone success that highly impressed and drew the attention of the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to come down to Ogun State, to conduct a press briefing and showcase the seizures”, Oloyede stated.
Continuing, the command’s spokesman said, “Also, within a short time, the Comptroller reduced the checkpoints from about 32 to five along the Idiroko/Owode border; wages war against ‘camp boys’ illegally operating on the road”.
He said that the power generating set, provided by the Nigeria Customs Service headquarters, was installed for the use of officers and men, as well as critical stakeholders, and was regularly maintained.
Other notable achievements of Comptroller Shuaibu, according to the the CPRO, were the restoration of power to the barracks and rehabilitation of the transformer serving the junior staff barracks; construction of trailer parks and examination bays; provision of light refreshment of tea and biscuits to officers and men of the command; upgrading the status of the Customs Medical Center by equipping it with medications and other necessities, as well as subsidizing for officers at the Mess.
Similarly, he provided uniforms and educational materials to indigent children and
ensured a robust partnership with sister security agencies
Deputy Comptroller in charge of the command’s administration, DC Christopher Ogunesan, on his part, described Shuaibu as a team leader.
Shuaibu, however, stated that he would not have achieved much without the unwavering support of the NCS headquarters, dedication of officers and men, and the collaborative of critical stakeholders, imploring officers and men to intensify their efforts, and extend their maximum support and cooperation to the new helmsman, so as to sustain the command’s performance.
To his successor, Shuaibu expressed his confidence on him, saying, “Your appointment speaks volume of your capabilities, and we have confidence that you will lead with humility and excellence. Please be assured that you have the support of your colleagues”.
On his part, Comptroller Ojo, eulogized Shuaibu, saying, “My predecessor has done a lot here; yet I know that all these are going to be like child’s play compared to the results he will accomplish at FOU Zone ‘B’, Kaduna, a more volatile terrain, with more than 10 states under his control.
“We call him ‘small man with big engine’. That is why the CGC is deploying the ‘small man with big engine’ to tackle that side of the country”, Comptroller Ojo said, adding that, “I am not a pastor, but I’m predicting that from Kaduna, you will be elevated to ACG rank, because your hard work will definitely speak for you”, Comptroller Ojo asserted.
Present at the occasion were royal fathers, sister security agencies from Nigeria and Benin Republic, licensed customs agents, community and youth leaders.
- First published on Mordi’s Facebook Timeline