Customs comptroller visits fmr. President Buhari, Emir, seeks effective border mgt.

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has paid a courtesy visit to the former President Muhammadu Buhari and his Royal Highness, the Emir of Daura, Farouk Umar Farouk. The visit is in line with strategic stakeholders engagement.

Adeniyi during the visit expressed the appreciation to the former president’s role in the emergence of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

According to the Comptroller General: “This legislative milestone grants the NCS expanded authority to implement policies aimed at bolstering revenue generation and facilitating trade, thus contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth trajectory”.

Adeniyi disclosed the purpose behind the recent expedition to the Maiadua Border in Kongolam, attributing it to President Bola Tinubu’s directive aimed at ameliorating the socio-economic challenges faced by Nigerians.

He said, “I will also use this occasion to brief you on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directives that all trucks of food carrying exports across the border that were seized by Customs be returned to the traders with the hope that they would plow them back into the Nigerian markets”

According to him, the customs service is responsible for ensuring that food security becomes an integral and essential element of national power.

“I would like to assure you that we may continue to work for the peace, progress, and security of Nigeria, those key ideals that you have worked for, in all your years, in your career in the military, and what you did as president and now as a statesman”

The Former President while acknowledging the visit, commended the NCS for its crucial role in border protection, which according to the former President is deemed indispensable for safeguarding national security interests.

Subsequently, the Comptroller General visited the Emir at his palace in Daura, Katsina State.

This visit, marked by mutual respect and friendship, was aimed at strengthening the longstanding partnership between the NCS and the esteemed Daura Emirate.

Reflecting on past interactions with the former Comptroller-General of Customs, Dikko Inde Abdullahi, Adeniyi reaffirmed the confidence in the collective efforts of the NCS and other security agencies to combat threats to national security, including the scourge of banditry and insurgency.

The Emir in response extended warm appreciation to the Comptroller General for the visit, pledging unwavering support to the NCS in its pursuit of excellence.

The Emir urged the Comptroller General to remain resolute in his duties and to demonstrate zero tolerance for individuals undermining national security and economic stability.

Umar Farouk however honoured the Comptroller General with the traditional title of ‘Mabuɗin Hausa’ and pledged to confer the title upon him in due course formally.

The Comptroller-General stated that the visit to the distinguished personalities served as reminders of the interconnectedness between governmental institutions and traditional authorities in fostering national cohesion, security, and progress.