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Anti-Smuggling Czar, Salisu Shuaibu, Assumes Duty As Customs Ogun 1 Area Comptroller
By Babatunde Aremu
The Ogun 1 Customs Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Idiroko had a leadership change on Tuesday as the erstwhile Area Comptroller of the command, Comptroller JF Ojo retired and handed over the command’s leadership to Acting Comptroller M. Salisu Shuaibu.
In his speech at the handing over/taking over ceremony, Comptroller Shuaibu pledged to uphold the values and mission of the Service while striving to achieve new heights of operational excellence.
He also promised to prioritize teamwork, innovation and discipline in all the command’s activities.
While saying that his vision for the command is simple but resolute, he looked forward to maintaining and strengthening collaboration with the sister agencies in ensuring border security and facilitating legitimate trade.
He added that their partnership has always been a cornerstone of success in their shared mandate, as he urged that they should work together to make Ogun 1 Command a model of excellence and a beacon of national pride.
Shuaibu stated that as an experienced anti-smuggling officer, he understands the unique challenges of border operations, particularly in Ogun 1 command, a critical frontier for trade and security.
He maintained that he’s keenly aware of the complexities of balancing enforcement with trade facilitation and community engagement, declaring that he’s prepared to tackle these challenges head-on with the support of the exceptional command.
He appreciated the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, for the confidence reposed in him by granting him the opportunity to lead the command.
He also acknowledged the outstanding leadership of Comptroller Ojo, whose tenure as the comptroller of the command, according to him, leaves a legacy of resilience, collaboration and notable achievements.
Earlier in his handing over speech, Ojo who was in happy mood could not hide his feeling as he said that he was filled with a deep sense of gratitude, pride and humility as he was formally handing over the mantle of leadership of the command and take a bow after years of service to his country.
Going memory lane, he said his career in Customs had been an incredible journey, one marked by challenges, triumphs, and invaluable lessons, adding it spanned several decades, with each step being an opportunity to contribute to the growth and security of the nation.
The retiring comptroller emphasized that under his watch the command not only enforced the mandate of revenue generation, border security, and trade facilitation but also made strides in building stronger collaborations with sister agencies and stakeholders.
He stated that collectively they have intercepted illicit goods, curbed smuggling and facilitated legitimate trade. Comptroller Ojo noted that their collective efforts have positioned the command to be a key player in Nigeria’s economic and security architecture.
He expressed his profound gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs for the trust reposed in him. He equally extended his heartfelt thanks to all his subordinates and the entire team of the command and congratulated his successor, DC MS Shuaibu on his well deserved deployment as the new Area Comptroller of the command.
The Acting Area Controller, MS Shuaibu, is a dogged anti-smuggling fighter, a household name in the suppression of smuggling especially in the South Western part of the country.
An officer who works with selfless dedication, Shuaibu had in the past busted many smugglers’ antics, culminating in spectacular seizures of contrabands.
His assumption of duty at Ogun 1 Command will no doubt put further checks and intensify the Nigeria customs service fight against smuggling and other criminal activities .