Encomiums as Nigeria’s Premier Custom Command Receives New Controller

Stakeholders have showered praises on the out-going Customs Area Controller (CAC) Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba, as he handed over the reigns of leadership to Comptroller Babatunde Olomu earlier today.

This handover ceremony also marks the end of service for Jaiyeoba who through this handover has reached his terminus at the Nigeria Customs Service.

Jaiyeoba, who resumed duty at Apapa Customs Area Command on September 12, 2023, would today, May 6, 2024, have steered the affairs of the command for almost eight months.

One of his most remarkable strides is an unprecedented N16 billion daily revenue collection into the coffers of the federal government in February this year.

Stakeholders at the event who spoke about Jaiyeoba’s tenure described him as a silent achiever, a father and a perfect gentleman.

A member of the National Council of Managing Directors, Mr. Kazeem Isah Aduah, appreciated the outgoing CAC for standing by agents to cut down arbitrary charges by terminal operators caused by their inefficiencies.

His words: “We appreciate you. You have done very well. We are going to put your good name in our hearts. Before now, at APM terminals, we would book for examination, but it would take almost a week to position the container and agents would be made to pay for their inefficiencies.

“You stood with us and we achieved our goal. Now, if you book for container today, they will position it the following day. We would not forget you. To the new Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, we would support you as stakeholders. I usually say the out-going Controller is the silent achiever and by God’s grace the new Controller would surpass his achievements.

Another stakeholder who lauded the out-going CAC said: “You are more than a brother and a gentleman. I don’t see any doubt that the standard set by the out-going Controller will be surpassed. He was a father to both the senior and junior officers. God bless you.”

On his part, Jaiyeoba thanked stakeholders, officers and men of the Service and sister agencies for their support which has made him reach the enviable feats he attained as head of Nigeria’s premier Command.

He expressed special thanks to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for the faith reposed in him to lead the nation’s number one Customs Command.

His words: “Special thanks go to the Comptroller General of Customs who comsidered me worthy to steer the Customs of Nigeria’s flagship Customs Command. My tour of service at Nigeria Customs ends today after almost eight months. It gives me great pleasure to recalled with pleasure the goals achieved day by day culminating into tangible results.

“When I resumed office last September, the assurance and support I got from Officers and men on ground and stakeholders boldly made up the achievements you see today. I didn’t do it alone. You all gave me your support. I won’t take the cooperation of sister agencies for granted.

“I dedicate this success to the CGC and all Officers of this command. Between January and April 2024, Apapa Command collected a total of N672,172,624,033.03k as revenue to the coffers of the federal government.

“This figure represent over N52billion in excess of our revenue target for the period under review. I dedicate this to the Comptroller General who counted us worthy of this assignment.”

The in-coming Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu has set the ground rolling stating that his administration will “operate a year dispute resolution desk which would run every day of the week for continuous engagement of stakeholders.”