The Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, commended the gradual return of professionalism to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) since the appointment of the new Controller-General, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, on Tuesday.
The monarch also urged the Federal Government to lift the ban on fuel supply to border communities. Speaking when the Controller of Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, Compt. Kolade Oladeji, led his management team on a courtesy call to his palace, Oba Olugbenle encouraged the NCS to remain focused and protect their professional standards.
According to the Ogun monarch, “Now you have the responsibility to promote professionalism and not allow others to take over your profession.”
He noted that, despite existing frictions due to the harsh economy and high unemployment, there had not been killings as before.
Listing their challenges, the monarch again urged the Federal Government to lift the ban on fuel supply to the border areas. “It is like we are ceding the areas to Benin (Republic).
The quantity supplied even to the free areas is also inadequate, and everybody now runs to Ilaro and Owode to buy fuel,” he said.
He further argued that since there is no longer a fuel subsidy, there is no need to sustain the ban on fuel supply to the borders.
He also urged the government to provide legal employment opportunities for the youth, stating, “We don’t have jobs for them, and an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.
” Moreover, he encouraged the Service to reach out to them when issues arise, emphasizing that many conflicts and loss of lives could be avoided if everyone came to the table to resolve issues.
Compt. Oladeji had earlier told the monarch that the team was visiting his palace for a courtesy call and to receive his blessings following his recent resumption of duty at the unit.
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He described Ilaro as very crucial to the success of his job, being a large city close to the border areas. “There is a lot of improvement in our relationship with the communities, following the footsteps of the CGC.
We believe that if the Obas talk to their people about the workings of the Customs, we will have fewer infractions.”
He pleaded with the Oba to treat Customs operatives as his children and to call their attention whenever necessary.
The Controller also visited the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Alamutu Abiodun, informing him that the visit was strategic to Customs operations as many border areas had benefited from the cordial working relationship between both agencies.
Describing the synergy between the police and Customs operatives in the area as “superb,” he said, “I felt the need to familiarize myself with you because of the peace and tranquility that pervades this area; to thank you for the assistance of the Nigeria Police because each time we had an issue, they are always the first port of call.”
On his part, the CP said the visit was “a testament to the strong synergy and partnership that has been existing between our agencies, especially in our efforts to ensure peace and security in our nation.
I want to reassure you that the Ogun State Command is strongly in tune with the Nigeria Customs Service. We have been working collaboratively to succeed in ensuring peace and security in the state.”
