Dera Nnadi: Industry-Loyalty-Trust-Competence-Duty

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

Later today, December 20, 2024, Dera Nnadi mni, will be handing over control of the Tin Can Customs Port Command to a new area controller, haven been appointed acting Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) of the Nigeria Customs Service.

Those who have been following his footsteps already foresaw his systematic rise in the Nigeria Customs Service coming, and many would also have noticed that Dera is more of a child of destiny than circumstances; although very often, the one invariably shapes the other.

Professionals versed in the plotting of graph understands the consistency of the patterns and the inexorability of the directions of every curve, same way train traffic officers can foretell the direction of a train given the rail tracks it has selected at every track interchange.

The gradual and systematic rise of ACG Nnadi mni does not therefore come as a surprise to those familiar with his history in the Service, being the result of his story, faithfully woven, like Creation Beings or Divine Helpers working in the Rays of God’s Love helps in the delicate weaving of the life’s tapestry of every human being.

This reporter in October 2021 in an article titled “Dera Nnadi: Rise of A Centre Striker” (reproduced hereunder), already provided the fundamental connecting rod as it were: propelling his rise, in the self same way physics students speaks of  kinetic movement.

Today, we shall re-examine some of the related fundamentals as part of the Dera Nnadi’s essential career progression, and to situate his story with the reality of the natural mystic; because his case not be juju o.

Dera is an embodiment of industry, loyalty, focus, trust, competence and duty. Of course, one cannot downplay the criticality of the ‘favour’ factor. Like he found favour with Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd), immediate past CGC through dint of hard work and good luck, Dera no doubt also found favour in the sight of his incumbent boss, the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

For those of us who have long been around, we know that Adewale has always been Dera’s boss, but also know that the relationship has been more than just one of a boss and subordinate. The two have been very close colleagues, they enjoy some personal connection that no one can actually, question.

Power analysts say that loyalty begets trust, and when a trusted junior colleague caps it up with competence on the job, and knack for duty like Dera Nnadi has demonstrated over the years, the inevitable result can best be imagined than said.

An operational strategist and a product of intellectual power house, further sufficiently horned for that matter by virtue of been a certified member of the institute (mni)  of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies Jos, Dera is any boss’ delight.

His stint at the command levels beginning at Ogun 1 though Seme Border are punctuated with high profile performance records, both in terms of revenue re-engineering, anti-smuggling activities, strategic partnership initiative and trade facilitation. In Seme, it is on record that Nnadi assisted in resuscitating over fifteen  (15) customs operational licenses which helped revived the command trade profile.

Despite that it may sound trite, Tin Can Island Command can be categorized as Dera Nnadi’s crowning glory where he carried out critical administrative and operational blueprints of the NCS including the Time Release Study (TRS) document on behalf of the Adeniyi led executive management.

Aside his outstanding feat in revenue generation, Nnadi remodeled and renovated the command administrative building, described by the CGC as a leading commendable initiative.

It is not surprising that the outgoing Tin Can Island Controller bagged two awards at the recently concluded Comptroller General of Customs Conference, namely ‘CGC’s Special Award For Work Place Transformation and the Certificate of Excellence for Distinctive Performance’ in recognition of his commitment to the ideas and vision of the Nigeria customs service.

Unarguably the NCS poster boy, there is no doubt that Nnadi’s record breaking exploits will also find expression and positive re-enactment as he assumes higher responsibilities, albeit quietly.

Dera Nnadi: Rise of A Centre Striker

His rise was gradual, foreseen, assuring, predictable, and therewith, also unmistakably and officially monitored.

Nnadi and MASPAN President, Emmanuel Maiguwa when the later paid him a courtsey visit, Wednesday, December 18, 2024

There was an aura of exception class, or maybe personal carriage about him that simply attracted quite a number of those who came across him, that curious positive impressions about others we sometimes are unable to explain.

As a young assistant Public Relations Officer at the Nigeria Customs Service Zonal Headquarters, Harvey Road, Yaba Lagos, Dera Nnadi showed early sign of greatness. Not necessarily in terms of acquisition of ranks but rather as a focused young officer, outwardly different, set and determined to achieve professionalism.

Ag. ACG Nnadi, mni

Every other aspirations and desires must rank secondary, and in commerce, civil service and all human endeavours, once professionalism becomes the immediate and ultimate focus, chances are that one with such comportment would go places and rise to the very pinnacle; not necessarily as a chief executive officer but essentially to the zenith of professional calling.

It was the closing of the cycle when Dera Nnadi got decorated few weeks ago with the comptroller rank; being the peak of the service career; up from a quiet determination to chase after professionalism and to make a difference.

As an lgbo man ingrained with the abacus of commerce and enterprise from very early in life, and having regard that he held sway as the Customs Public Relations Officer at the Apapa premier port, he could have chosen to try his hands in the ports business that surrounded him under a small private arrangement, just for the sake of trial, especially finding himself in the centre of international commerce and freight.

Ag ACG Nnadi, mni

But he chose to walk past with his gaze on building a fine career in customs and acquiring professionalism. Patiently, he learnt the entire gamut of customs operations, revenue, preventive and administration, including the dynamics of international customs, economics and diplomacy.

An ardent admirer and student of the ACG Nuhu Abubakar (Rtd) philosophy of professional clarity, Dera Nnadi never allowed anything to distract him from chasing after his career. His straightforwardness, intelligence, focus, diligence and operational savvy endeared him to a wide range of publics and stakeholders, and logically also, including all the bosses he served under.

It was not surprising that Col. Hameed Ali, the CGC naturally, also found such traits in him at the headquarters, and proceeded to encourage him.

Rumour has it that the CGC found him a like-able, hardworking and trusted officer, and personally saw to his posting to the enforcement unit of Tin Can Island Command, from the headquarters.

Nnadi displaying some gun brands being part of a seized cache of arms earlier 2024

Thus, Nnadi assumed the centre striker role at TCIP, and within the period he served there, the command intercepted a number of high profile seizures, including two separate containerized consignments of guns and ammunition. The seizures were so significant that the CGC approved special promotion of some of the officers involved in the operations.

A professional, meticulous, fit and competent officer, Comptroller Dera Nnadi has served in various commands and in different departments, including a fairly long stint at the headquarters, where he was put in charge of critical responsibilities.

CGC Adeniyi showcasing illicit and prohibited drugs and other offensive siezed items by Nnadi led TCIP earlier this year

Resourceful, methodological and yet unassuming, Comptroller Nnadi has proven over and again a dependable result getter, on whom any assignment can be entrusted. Often wearing an impregnable and unapproachable mien during official assignments, those very close to him know that beneath those façade of officialdom, he evinces all the traits of a buddy, away from the line of duty.

His appointment as the Customs Area Controller, Ogun 1 Command, will no doubt bring out more of the professional in him, as he is not an officer accustomed to reporting below performance.

He replaces Comptroller Peter Kolo, who proceeded on a three-month pre-retirement vacation as prelude to his final exit from the service. Until his latest appointment, Comptroller Nnadi was the Command Deputy Comptroller in charge of Administration.

Before his posting to Ogun 1 Command, he was the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Enforcement at the Tin Can Island Command.

A veteran Public Relations Officer, he distinguished himself as a crack professional during the port concession programme in 2006 and Customs reforms that ushered in the Destination Inspection regime; as well as the introduction of the Nigeria Common External Tariff and the e-Payment regime in Customs in 2008.

Nnadi in puisuit of his assignment and psuhing for the success of TRS

He was at the Strategic Research & Policy Department of the service headquarters Abuja, where he held the position of head of Intellectual Property Right/Environment.

A member of the National Trade Facilitation Committee, a committee that worked towards Nigeria’s ratification of the World Trade Organisation-Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), Comptroller Nnadi is also effective as member of the committee for the smooth implementation of TFA in Nigeria.

Very versatile, the Ogun 1 Command new sheriff is also involved in the ECOWAS protocols on the Abidjan –Lagos Corridor (ALCO) and the Lagos–Kastina-Jibia (LAKJI) corridor, under the auspices of the National Inter State Road Transit Scheme.

He has served under several committees in the service, including the Service Strategic Plan and the review of the Customs & Excise Management Act (CEMA).

An encyclopedia of international trade and customs operations, he enjoys tremendous goodwill amongst critical maritime industry stakeholders.

Comptroller Nnadi has attended several courses in Public Relations, Event & Crisis Management, Cross Border Crime Prevention, and Leadership & Management, Trade Facilitation Agreements, among others.

An alumni of the world renown American International Law Enforcement Academy, he is a Fellow and Senior Research Fellow of the International Logistics Administration. He is also a Fellow of the Freight Forwarders Academy of Nigeria.

He has several awards in his kitty, including the Prestigious World Customs Organisations (WCO) Merit Award for promoting Customs Business relationship. Those who understand the internal politics of customs say Ogun 1 might just turn out to be his trial command, ahead of more critical assignments in which his expertise and doggedness may be required, from time to time.

Published 3 years ago on October 23, 2021