Emir of Gwandu Appoint Alhaji Bashar, Ex-Customs Chief, Ciroman Gwandu

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

The Emir of Gwandu,  Muhammadu Ilyasu Bashar, has approved the appointment of  Alhaji Yusuf Usman Bashar as the new Ciroman Gwandu.

This was made known in a letter signed by the secretary of Gwandu Emirate Council, Haruna Rasheed Bashar and addressed to  Alhaji Yusuf Bashar. Haruna Bashar said the title was bestowed on Yusuf Bashar after consultation with members of the Gwandu Emirate Council.

The Gwandu Emirate Council Secretary said the appointment is a reward for Yusuf Bashar’s contribution to the development of Gwandu Emirate, Kebbi State and the country in general.

According to the letter, the Emirate Council congratulates Yusuf Bashar and expects him to put in his best in his service to the people, partake in activities of the council and seek the Emir of Gwandu’s approval on issues when necessary. The turbaning ceremony will hold soon.

The new Ciroman Gwandu who had a fulfilled career in the Nigeria Customs Service, served as an Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) in charge of Information Communication Technology and oversaw the service modernisation process nationwide, until his retirement.

The appointment letter read:” The Emir of Gwandu  Muhammadu Ilyasu Bashar,  after consultation with the Members of the Gwandu Emirate Council has bestowed on you the distinguished title of “CIROMAN GWANDU”. This honour is accorded to you in recognition and appreciation of your services and contribution to the development of Gwandu Emirate, Kebbi State and the country in general.

“The Emirate Council hopes to continue to benefit from your wealth of experience, foresight and wisdom. As a title holder, you are required to adequately participate in our activities. Similarly, you will be invited from time to time, by His Royal Highness the Emir of Gwandu, for consultations as the need arises.

“Please, accept our goodwill and congratulations for a well-deserved appointment. The date of the official Turbaning Ceremony will be communicated in due course.”, Haruna Bashar said.

At the zenith of his over three decades career, he participated actively in the heart of Customs ICT operations from stages of Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA), ASYCUDA ++, Pre Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), and  the Nigeria Customs Information System ( NICIS).

He was a Comptroller in the PAAR Ruling Centre where he contributed immensely in setting the ground rules for a modern NCS. Bashar also served as Customs Area Controller of Tin Can Island Port between 2016 and 2018 and earned several commendation letters from the then Controller General of Customs for various outstanding feats, and won multiple awards for exemplary service delivery and commitment to nation building.

He achieved increased revenue collection, strict anti- smuggling enforcement, trade facilitation and promoted ease of doing lawful business without compromising national security.

Under his watch, the Tin Can Island Command of NCS earned international awards from notable bodies, including the World Customs Organisation (WCO). He deployed the instrumentality of ICT Tin Can Customs to uncover concealed pump action rifles at different times totaling 2010 various units of weaponry.

He also oversaw the interception of large quantity of cocaine substance with an estimated street value of N3 billion (naira)concealed as a chemical called virgin cellulose.

The new Ciroman Gwandu as CAC Tin Can also coordinated the interception of 2 Sport Utility Vehicles stolen from the United States of America that were later handed over to the INTERPOL for repatriation to their owners.