Following the change of guards at the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, Lagos, John Iwori writes that the decision of the Customs High Command to change the leadership of the unit marks a fresh beginning with Comptroller Gombo Aliyu in the driver’s seat.
Leadership changes in the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) formations across the country is not new. In fact, the Customs High Command often use such changes to attain set goals and objectives. It is on record that NCS core mandate is encapsulated in three broad areas, namely anti-smuggling, revenue generation and trade facilitation.
It was therefore not surprising when the management of NCS which presently has Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi as its Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) recently effected a change in the leadership FOU, Zone ‘A’.
Following the decision of the NCS Headquarter, Abuja, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), NCS, FOU, Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, Lagos, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu bowed out just as his successor in office, Comptroller Gombo Aliyu stepped into his shoes.
Consequently, the reins of administration was formally handed over by Shuaibu who is now an Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) to Comptroller Aliyu. The handover ceremony was witnessed by principal officers of the Unit, patrol leaders, media representatives, and well-wishers.
Shuaibu’s Strides
There is no doubt that Shuaibu made some strides when he was in the saddle as the helmsman of the Unit. Speaking at the symbolic transition of leadership which took place at the Unit conference hall in Ikeja recently, Shuaibu used the occasion to express deep appreciation to almighty God, CGC Adeniyi and his management team, for the trust and support extended to him throughout his tenure.
According to him, serving as Comptroller of FOU Zone ‘A’ had been both an honour and a privilege.
He commended officers of the Unit for their dedication, resilience, and teamwork, noting that their collective efforts led to notable successes in combating smuggling. His words: “Together, we confronted high-profile challenges and upheld the highest standards of professionalism in addressing emerging issues.”
Reflecting on his seven months in office, ACG Shuaibu described the period as eventful and rewarding, adding that the Unit significantly suppressed smuggling activities through strategic operations.
He used the occasion to enumerate the strides he has made while he was in office. These include 476 interceptions involving 761 seized items, with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N10, 051, 812, 208.00. The seized items include 23,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to 38 trailer loads); 94 used vehicles (tokunbo); 2,350 kg of Cannabis Sativa; and 1,820 jerry cans of premium motor spirit (PMS)
Other remarkable seizures comprises 15 assorted rifles; 4,841 rounds of ammunition; 2 industrial drones; 25 kg of crystal methamphetamine; 4 cylinders of explosives (50 kg each, made in Russia); and $20,000 USD and 110,000 CFA (worth N31 million).
ACG Shuaibu also disclosed that eight containers of expired pharmaceutical products valued at N7.5 billion were handed over to NAFDAC for further action.
On revenue recovery, the Customs Chief stated that the Unit intensified compliance checks on questionable import and export consignments, issuing Demand Notices (DNs) that generated N419, 202, 459. 85.
He congratulated Comptroller Aliyu on his emergence as his successor, just as he expressed confidence that the new leadership would consolidate on the Unit’s achievements and introduce fresh strategies for enhanced performance.
Aliyu’s Vision
There is no doubt that Comptroller Aliyu is fully aware that he is stepping into the big shoes left by his predecessor and he need to go the extra mile to sustain the momentum in the months ahead.
Though FOU Zone ‘A’ is not the only one carrying out the enforcement responsibilities of the NCS, it is on record that it occupies a premier spot in the Customs High Command. Its sphere of operations include Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, Lagos and beyond. In fact, all the states in the South-West geo-political zone are within its purview of operations. These include Lagos, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, and Ekiti States. As if these are not enough, FOU, Zone ‘A’ also has an eye on Nigeria’s premier borders in the Southern part of the country, Seme and Saki.
Apparently aware that he did not get his present position as the CAC, FOU, Zone ‘A’ just like that, Comptroller Aliyu thanked CGC Adeniyi and the NCS management for the opportunity given to him to serve his father land.
Showing one of the rare attributes in good leadership, ability to acknowledge the efforts of others, Comptroller Aliyu did not overlooked the strides made by his predecessor as he acknowledged the outstanding contributions of Shuaibu during his tenure.
A statement by NCS, FOU, Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, Lagos and signed by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Hussaini Abdullahi quoted the new CAC emphasizing the Unit’s vital role in combating smuggling and safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests, particularly within the strategically sensitive Lagos operational corridor.
According to the statement which was made available to Maritime Bits, Aliyu used the occasion to outline his key priorities which include strengthening enforcement operations; upholding professionalism, discipline and integrity.
Others are enhancing collaboration with security agencies and stakeholders; improving officers’ welfare and capacity development; promoting open communication transparency and teamwork.
He also highlighted three guiding principles that will shape his administration namely, change management; compliance management; and reputational management
Not a few stakeholders in the maritime sector of the economy have opined that if Aliyu strictly pursue the implementation of his guiding principles in the discharge of his roles and responsibilities as the present man in the saddle, FOU, Zone ‘A’ will be taken to a higher height in the attainment of its primary mandate.
As a man who clearly understand the task before him, Aliyu has called for unity, dedication, and renewed commitment from officers and men of the Unit. He assured them of what he called “responsible and constructive engagement” with stakeholders especially the media.
He also wished ACG Shuaibu well and prayed for his continued success in his future endeavours in the months ahead. Maritime Bits checks revealed that the handover ceremony was concluded with the presentation of gifts by the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA) and the officers and men of the Unit, followed by the ceremonial cutting of cake.
Expectations
That expectations are high is to say the least. These expectations are not only from NCS Headquarter, Abuja but also from the Zonal Co-ordinator as well as port users who interface with officers and men of the Unit in the course of doing their legitimate business.
Going by his opening speech when he took the baton of leadership last week, it is obvious to discerning minds that Aliyu came prepared for the task at hand. This is not unconnected with the fact that it takes a man with the key elements of good leadership and management to marshal out the principal things he wanted to do from the onset.
As the euphoria of Aliyu’s appointment and resumption of office ebbs, not a few stakeholders have enjoined him to keep his eyes on the ball. They also urged him to remain focus and hit the ground running so that smugglers and other criminal elements operating within his areas of jurisdiction will have a rethink whenever they want to perpetrate their atrocities. Whether Aliyu will live up to expectations and take FOU Zone ‘A’ to a higher height during his tenure or do otherwise lies in the bowels of time.
