‘The Service You Left for Us Now Fully Digitalized’ Customs Boss Tell Retirees

BY FUNMI ALUKO

The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, yesterday, informed senior retirees that the Service is now fully automated and digitalized.

The CGC who was speaking at the End-of- Year Party and Award Nite of the Association of Retired Senior Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (ARSONCS), Lagos Chapter, held at the Customs Training School Ikeja, noted that it is a thing joy to serve fatherland.

Represented by the Zonal Coordinator of Zone A, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs (ACG) Muhammed Babandede, Adeniyi lauded the association for providing a platform for retired officers to reunite and stay connected with the Service.

Babandede told the retirees that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) they handed over is now a technologically advanced institution; noting that ARSONCS is a family heritage for everyone that passed through the Service.

“This association is our collective association. In as much as you’ve joined the Service, definitely the finishing line is waiting for you. I want to assure you on behalf of the Comptroller General that the Customs you handed over to us is a Customs service that you should be proud of because the NCS today is number one Service when it comes to automation. All our processes, procedures are fully automated.”

He also informed the retirees of the establishment of an in-house health system by the present administration and urged them to take adequate advantage of it.

“We have a healthcare system in place; the association can reach out to the headquarters so that retirees can benefit from the healthcare system.”

The retired senior officers lauded Babandede for his humility and respect, taking note of the fact that upon arrival, he took time to go around the venue identifying and greeting them, one after the other.

Chairman of the Planning Committee of the 2025 End of Year Party and Awards, Elder (Compt) Olu Ogunnojemite Rtd, disclosed that the association which was formed between 1991 and 1993 was nurtured through the very dedicated efforts of the founding fathers and mothers, including DCG Ogunbode and Elder, Compt. J. F Brigue Rtd.

While explaining its inability to fulfill its annual party in the past six years due to the outbreak of Covid-19, he expressed the hope that subsequently, the end of year party will be fully revived.

In his welcome address, the Lagos State Chapter Chairman of ARSONCS, DCG G.T Aliu Rtd said the end of year get together is primarily a day of thanksgiving to God, and a day to recognize outstanding personalities.

“If is with great delight that I welcome you all into this all-important social gathering. Today’s gathering is organized by the Lagos branch referred to as ARSONCS, and our members are located mainly within the southwest geo-political zone of Nigeria.

“I wish to say that this is not a gathering of speech making. Rather, it is a day of merriment and social interaction. To our members, it is also a day of thanksgiving to God, who has been so good to us in the course of the year”, he said.

The amiable DCG Aliu said it is a thing of pride to serve in the Nigeria Customs Service and thanked those still in service while urging them to continue to fly the flag; assuring them of a place at ARSONCS in due course.

“Before the stage is opened for merriment, let me quickly extend my hands of fellowship to our serving senior officers present and by extension, those working under them that as soon as they individually complete their years of service, ARSONCS is where they belong. Our arms are opened to receive them.”

Speaking further he said ARSONCS is just a subset of a larger, national body known as the National Association of Retired Senior Officers of Nigeria Customs Service (NARSONCS).

The atmosphere was one of happy re-union, chivalry and conviviality as colleagues, serving and retired, exchanged pleasantries and engaged in banters.  Amongst the gathering is CSC D.S Amosu, DSC Bayo Anofi, AC M. O. Owoade, Compt. T. O Abioye, DCG Austen Warikoru and the first female ACG (Dr.) Kofo Olugbesan, all retired.

The highlight of the get together was the recognition of notable personalities within the NCS, the association and the customs brokers’ community. The South West Zonal Coordinator, ACG Babandede; the President and Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Mr. Emenike K. Nwokeoji and Alhaji (Barr.) Taiwo Mustapha, respectively, received ‘Plaque of Honour’ in recognition of their contribution to ARSONCS and customs trade in general, about a dozen other serving and retired senior officers were also honoured.

Among retirees honoured at the event were DCG Mulikat Adegoke Rtd, ACG (Dr.) Kofo Olugbesan Rtd, ACG Jeieloye Afolayan Rtd, Compt J. F. Brigue Rtd, Compt. I. S. A. Alanamu Rtd, Compt. Saratu Shaba Rtd, an CSC A. H. Afinowi Rtd.

Others are Compt. M. T. Awe, Compt. Н. H. Haddison,  Compt. Joy E. Edelduok, Compt. Frank Onyeka, Compt. Joe Anani, ACG Mohammed Shuaibu, DC Umah Ahmed, and DC A. Ahmed.

Presenting the plaque of honour, ARSONCS Vice Chairman, ACG T. O Aremu Rtd, urged the ANLCA Board Chairman not to relent in building society, and in contributing to the growth of customs trade, in addition to support for humanity and the association.

“You have proven to be more than just a focused, result oriented business man, but  as a stabilizing agent of growth in the customs trade and the port economy”, Aremu said.