The news of the appointment of the then DCG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, as the Acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service on June 19 was greeted with excitement by the maritime media and maritime stakeholders, most of whom had at one time or the other had interactions with him and known him to be a workaholic and a goal getter at the different positions he held as he rose through the ranks in the Service.
He proved his mettle first as the national public relations officer, displaying rare skills, abilities and knowledge that have been difficult to match in the Public Relations Unit.
As the controller in charge of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, his uncompromising stance led to the seizure of $8.07 million cash being taken out of Nigeria illegally in February 2021. As Assistant Comptroller General and Deputy Commandant, Customs Staff College, Gwagwalada, Abuja, his Midas touch on the college made for his eventual elevation to the position of the Commandant of the college within a short time. His outstanding performance as Deputy Commandant earned him the prestigious Large College Crest Award for Excellence in Service.
As Deputy Comptroller General, Strategic Research and Policy he also distinguished himself which made President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to beem his searchlight on him and eventually announced him as the Acting Comptroller General of Customs.
One would think that as he was made the head of Customs he would relax in his office in Abuja to enjoy the perks of his exalted office but the zeal in him wouldn’t allow anything of such.
Comptroller General Adeniyi has been a rover of all lands, transversing the length and breadth of Nigeria to ensure there is sanity and engage officers and men as well as stakeholders for a seamless Customs operation.
As the Controller of Oyo/Osun Customs command, Comptroller BA Jaiyeoba noted that he was the only CGC to visit the command in the past 16 years, he is very passionate about seeing that all commands and units under him work perfectly.
For this reason, the Comptroller General is on the road 24/7 even on Sundays on working visits to put his officers on their toes for a more robust and result oriented Customs operations.
As he tasks officers and men on good conduct, enforcement, uncompromising attitude and trade facilitation, so also does he remind them to take good care of their health. Though young and energetic, it is hoped that the CGC himself is taking good care of his health too as he is seen in Katsina State today and Idiroko, Ogun State tomorrow.
The workaholic CGC undoubtedly has a mission and vision to take Nigeria Customs to its apogee.
His visionary leadership and relentless pursuit of excellence have undoubtedly set a new benchmark for the entire Customs Service.
This has led to a reinvigorated and strengthened enforcement unit, leading to unprecedented seizures in the last one month.
The CGC has zero tolerance for duplication of duty even as he craves for excellence and total eradication of smuggling and other trade vices. This explains why he scrapped the CGC Strike Force and is campaigning vigorously for reduction in checkpoints, not by Customs alone but also by other law enforcement agencies in order to boost the economy and give legitimate trade a breathing space.
As he diligently goes about his duty with passion, one could only wish him and his team God’s protection as he moves around and pray for his quick confirmation as the substantive Comptroller General of Customs.
