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He is described as the officer whom the cap fits. Others are quick to describe him a round peg in a round hole. In fact, the new Comptroller-General of Customs (CG), Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, was once the indefatigable spokesman of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), whose humility and diligence endeared him as a quintessential officer to four former CGs.
The holy book says in Proverbs 22:29, “Seest thou a man diligent in his business, he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” With an impressive record, it was very easy for the eagle eyes of the President, who is known to search out the best capable hands to do national assignment, to select him. Indeed, this security job is hectic, tasking and very demanding, like that every other security institutions. The Nigeria Customs is a revenue-collecting agency and had over the years lived up to its billing. It is evident that Adeniyi knows exactly what his new office entails. He knows the critical economic and security situation facing the country.
He knows were the country is bleeding economically and its effects n the NCS revenue and the pranks played by importers across Nigeria’s borders.
He knows that, for his officers and men to perform optimally, their safety and welfare must be guaranteed, like his former boss, Abdullahi Dikko Inde (now late), who was able to lay a solid foundation for the institution on a financial drive and the digitalization heights attained by the customs. He should also endeavour to surpass the revenue generated by his predecessor retired Colonel Hameed Ali, who generated N556 billion, with 1,927 seizures in 2018, as against N486 billion from January to June 2017. Despite this impressive revenue record, the NCS failed to update observers and Nigerians of subsequent revenues between 2019 and 2023 before the exit of Ali. Remarkably, Ali’s policy thrust was hinged on honesty, integrity and transparency (this would be critically analysed in a subsequent column).
The Acting CG should be aware that for success to be achieved, he should be sensitive to official banana peels and unnecessary distractions. He should also build on inter-agency collaboration, which helps to cement not only relationship between security agents but between security leaders. Inter-agency collaboration helps in bonding security agencies operationally and administratively. Security agencies should avoid undermining other security agencies during operational activities. They should also avoid hoarding intelligence reports; rather, they should share intelligence as it helps in curbing criminality.
Truly, appointment to the position a leadership is sweet but how to savour the sweetness matters a lot. According to the sixth President of the United States of America, John Quincy Adams, “If your action inspires others to do more, learn more, dream more and become more, you are a leader.” Also a celebrated Canadian writer Robin Sharma, said, “Leardship is not about title or designation. It is about impact, influence and inspiration.”
What this means is that the federal government should nurture the hen that lays the golden egg, by improving the overall welfare of the personnel. A deeper introduction of Adeniyi, who has become the first security agency spokesman in the history of the country to be so elevated to become the leader of a security institution. He is an officer who posseses1 deep understanding of the complex and constantly evolving international trade landscape.
Adeniyi has deep understanding of customs regulations, laws and procedures as well as the ability to navigate and adapt to changing policies and regulations. He has demonstrated excellent communication and leadership skills over the years, which has positively been responsible for leading team of customs officials, that were working closely with stakeholders across a variety of industries. Mr. Adeniyi had built strong relationships with stakeholders and collaborated effectively to ensure efficient and effective movement of goods across borders, over the course of his career. He has a keen eye for details and the ability to identify potential risks and areas of non-compliance. This was evident throughout his operational assignments over the years, his management strategies, guidance and support, which were developed and implemented for his teams to ensured that customs procedures were effectively implemented.
Mr. Adeniyi was enlisted into the NCS as a cadet officer in 1990, a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, he equally obtained a master’s degree in Communication Science from USI, Lugano, Switzerland, in 2013.
After his training, he was posted to Tin Can Island Port, Apapa, Lagos, as an assistant superintendent from March 1991 to May 1996. In June 1996, he was redeployed from Tin Can Island Port to the then Economic Relations Research and Planning Department, Customs Headquarters, Abuja, where he worked until February 2001.
In March 2001, he was appointed Customs Public Relations Officer, a post he held until December 2016 when he was deployed to Apapa Port Area Command. He was subsequently appointed as the Acting Comptroller General of Customs by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on June 19, 2023.
He had severally attended and participated in governing council meetings of the World Customs Organisation in Brussels, Belgium, from 2010 to 2019.
On November 18, 2022, he was awarded Member of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR) by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He has equally travelled around the continents, acquiring knowledge on customs. Security File wishes him a successful tenure.
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Security Hints (5)
1. As a woman or lady, learn how to dress decently to avoid undue attention and being sexually harrassed
2. Avoid night crawling or movement as a lady. It could be dangerous
3. Never cling to a stranger in your house or in your area, most especially in a big compound/neighbourhood. Such might be misconstrued and expose you to moral danger
4. Avoid nightclubbing or grooving with strange friends, those you know nothing about or those you don’t trust so that they don’t take advantage of you.
5. As a young lady, avoid unnecessary peer group influences that could expose you to attacks or sexual harassment or moral danger
6. Know your limits, if at all you take alcohol, while you should avoid drug abuse or use in all ramifications
7. Don’t jump at a friend on social media. Screen your existing and intending friends before any fraternity with them.
By ACP Muyiwa Adejobi
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August 17 is a special and memorable day to Mama Irene Mgbechinyere Okezie because that was the day she gave birth to her first son, named Ben Onyemachi Okezie, the writer of “Security File” column.
