Story by Dili Utomi.
The Customs Area Controller at the Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Frank Okechukwu Onyeka on Wednesday had dinner organised for the fasting Muslim community at the Command. Comptroller Onyeka and his officers who have continued with the policy of stakeholders engagement and cooperation took time out of their very busy schedules to host the fasting Muslims at the newly refurbished Command’s conference room.
In a brief message to the men and women gathered at the conference room, Comptroller Onyeka said ” I am highly honoured to receive the members of the Muslim community and the armed forces at this Command. Customs cares, we are all partners in progress in the Nigerian project especially at this Command. I came to this Command with a mandate and that is to generate revenue and I know that you have all been very supportive, but like Oliver Twist, I need more of that support”
Prayers were said for everyone present at the ocassion and the country by the Chief Imam of the Tin Can Island Mosque, Imam Abubakar Sadik.
One of the leaders of the delegation and the Tin Can Island Port Command chapter chairman of the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), Comrade Akeem Ayobiojo also noted that the Muslim community is totally appreciative of the dinner organised in their honour. “We marvel at the achievement of the CAC in less than 100 days in office and are quite sure that the great performances will continue because of his kind of person and his leadership style”, he added.
The Director of the Directorate of State Security (DSS) at the TCIP, Akhun Sule was represented by Salisu Madaki also spoke in appreciation. He said “This gesture is quite commendable and we wish the CAC a very successful tenure at the Command”.
Madam Bolanle Amope, one of the stakeholders in the delegation said that Comptroller Onyeka has been like a father to everyone. “I do not believe that the kind of experience that we are having now is real as everything has a touch of newness and humanity”.
The Deputy Comptroller, Administration at the Command, Deputy Comptroller S.O. Ariyibi said ” Gathering, dining and wining signifies love and this energises relationships. The Tin Can Island Port Command has changed for good and we hope that everyone at the Command will all be part of the good. Whenever anyone of you have any issue or need assistance in the course of your business, do not hesitate to reach out to the CAC. Take note that we are all Nigerians and should do our very best to make her grow”.
Comrade Ayobiojo spoke with us after the dinner and said “So far, Comptroller Onyeka has been very wonderful if you take into cognisance the short time that he has been here. I should advice him to continue along the line that he has toed. He has been laying records and we expect him to do more in terms of stakeholders engagement, trade facilitation and also in his other mandates. I would advise stakeholders to continue to try and do honest declarations. On his near 100 days in office, I wish Comptroller Onyeka the very best, I think that the sky will be his starting point the way he carries out his duty”.
Comptroller Onyeka also spoke with us in an interview, he opined that ” One needs to continue to foster good relationships with people irrespective of ethnic or religious orientation. I can tell you right now that my record board is smiling and that is because I have stakeholders who are doing their best right now to make my job easier. On my first interview at resumption here, I said that I need as much support from stakeholders as possible and also added that nothing can be done without God and I have that firm believe, God has been manifest in all our activities hear”.
“In order to mark my first 100 days here, I decided that there is a need to call them together in this period of fasting to say thank you for the support. On our operation here, I think that there is a thin line between trade facilitation and national interest, national interest is key and once you go against the interest of the nation while doing this business, your cargo will be seized and so I keep encouraging all stakeholders to be mindful of what they import and declare. We will continue to do all we can to facilitate legitimate trade and encourage the stakeholders here”. He concluded.
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