By Tunde Ojudun
The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Oyo/Osun Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Wale Adewole, on Monday, 23 February 2026, paid courtesy visits to the palaces of the Ooni of Ife, the Ogunsua of Modakeke, and the Ataoja of Osogbo. The visits form part of ongoing efforts to strengthen stakeholder engagement and foster community collaboration in the discharge of the statutory responsibilities of the Nigeria Customs Service.
At the palace of the Ooni of Ife, DC Adewole expressed gratitude for the warm reception accorded to him and his team. He described the palace as a symbol of Yoruba cultural heritage and called for the support of the traditional institution in combating smuggling, facilitating legitimate trade, and safeguarding national economic security. In response, the Ooni commended the Customs Service for its vital role in trade facilitation and border security, pledging continuous support to the Command.
During his visit to the Ogunsua of Modakeke, DC Adewole acknowledged the crucial role of traditional rulers in maintaining peace and security. He emphasized the importance of intelligence sharing and community cooperation in enabling Customs to fulfill its mandate. The Ogunsua praised the Service’s contributions to national development and assured the Command of his people’s full support.
At the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, DC Adewole reiterated the Command’s commitment to building stronger ties with host communities and traditional institutions. He stressed that sustained collaboration is essential to promoting lawful trade and curbing illicit activities. The Ataoja welcomed the delegation warmly, commended the Customs Service for its role in protecting the nation’s economy, and pledged continued cooperation.
DC Adewole noted that these visits are part of the Command’s broader strategy to enhance synergy with key stakeholders, particularly traditional institutions whose influence is critical in promoting compliance with Customs laws and advancing national security objectives.
The Oyo/Osun Area Command reaffirmed its dedication to its core mandates of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and suppression of smuggling, while continuing to build strong grassroots partnerships for effective service delivery.