Ag. Customs CG revisits recruitment policies to prioritize slots for border communities
Story from Haruna YUSUF
The Acting Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has expressed his commitment to strengthening community relations in border areas to facilitate the effective discharge of customs mandates.
Speaking during a visit to the royal palaces of Oba John Olakunle Ojo, the Oniko of Iko Idiroko Kingdom, Oba Yisa Adeniyi Adelakun Olaniyan, the Onikpokia of Ikpokia Kingdom, and Oba Kehinde Adeboye Gbadewole Olugbenle, the Oba of Ilaro Kingdom on Sunday, August 6, 2023, the Ag. CGC emphasized the importance of the border community in assisting security agencies in upholding national security.
The purpose of the visit was to seek the support of the border communities and their leaders, recognizing their paramount role in the success of customs operations. The Ag. CGC acknowledged the strategic significance of Idiroko and its surrounding borders in terms of trade, economic development, and national security.
READ ALSO: Amidst president’s order, CG solicits cooperation of jibia border communities
Community leaders expressed their gratitude for the visit and raised concerns regarding issues affecting their livelihoods. In response, the Customs Boss urged them to direct their grievances to the government, assuring them of a responsive administration that would listen and make necessary amendments.
“I will request you, as a community, to continue to support the government. “We have a new administration that has shown that it will listen to people, a new administration that has demonstrated that when policies are not working, we are ready to review it”, he noted.
“Because of that commitment, I want to charge members of this community to channel your reactions appropriately to government, and as a responsible government, I believe that they will listen to you and make amendments where necessary”, he added.
Furthermore, the Customs Boss highlighted the need to revisit recruitment policies to ensure greater representation of individuals from border communities within the Nigeria Customs Service. This, he believes, will strengthen customs-community relationships and provide stakeholders with a sense of ownership.
In addition, the CGC stressed the importance of corporate social responsibility initiatives in critical operational areas like Idiroko. He assured the community that efforts would be made to implement such programs.
During his visit to the Ogun I Area Command at Idiroko, the Ag. CGC met with the Area Controller, Comptroller Bamidele Makinde, representatives from sister agencies, the Republic of Benin Customs Administration, and other stakeholders. He reiterated the need for all agencies to remain focused and dedicated to national and regional security.
The familiarization tour to Area Commands and Units in Zone ‘A’ is part of the Ag. CGC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen relationships and promote collaboration within the Nigeria Customs Service.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va74ZvU2v1IqKByXoX3d
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
