Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is projecting to make N5 trillion as revenue in 2024, the Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi, has said.
He spoke at a reception and award night organised by the Osun Development Association (ODA), at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State. The reception was to honour Adeniyi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, all sons of Osun State.
Gen. Lagbaja was represented by General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Maj.-Gen. Muhammed Usman, while Oyetola was represented by his former Chief of Staff, Dr. Charles Akinola.
Adeniyi said some borders had remained shut for strategic and geo-political reasons.
According to him, it’s a selective policy to leave some open and shut others for security reasons.
He said,
“Not all borders are opened currently because some are shut for strategic and geo-political reasons. While six of those shut in 2019 have been reopened, some remain shut as a response to the decision of the ECOWAS Head of States and Governments. So it’s a selective policy to shut some and open others for security reasons.
“In 2023, we have a revenue projection of about N3.6 trillion. As of now, we are just closing in on N3 trillion. In 2024, we are projecting N5 trillion in revenue. This is high, but we believe that with the policies we are working on, the engagements with our border communities and the customs administration, the introduction of technology solutions to border enforcements and processes, declaration of goods, it is not insurmountable, we will achieve the target.”
Adeniyi also described the award done him as a call to good service.
“It is expected that when you are being honoured by your own people, one must feel proud.”
But beyond that, it is about the very heavy responsibility, the great expectations and the burden of leadership. Practically we carry the aspiration and the hopes of the Nigerian economy on our shoulders. It’s a big responsibility, but we hope to discharge this responsibility effectively, God being with us.”
Chairman of the ODA, Dr Segun Aina, described the award as important to celebrate the honourees for taking up national leadership roles “because not everyone is called to serve.”
He added,
“It is also very important for them to know they have home support, and that people are watching them, so they will be encouraged and strengthened to do the right thing at all times, knowing that a lot of people will be disappointed if they fail.
“Imagine the crowd here celebrating them and their appointment, so this will be a reminder to them to perform, knowing that they are accountable to some people and will always return home happily after their terms in office.”
Dignitaries at the ceremony were former Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Prof. Olu Aina, Tunde Ponle, an engineer; Nigeria’s first female engineer, Mrs. Olu Maduka, Chief Moses Inaolaji, former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola (represented by Prince Sikiru Ayedun), former Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, among others.
In their goodwill messages, Prof. Aina described the event as unique, and promised that the elders would run errands for the younger ones whenever the need arose.
Prof. Akinyemi noted that,
“in honouring the awardees, we are honouring ourselves. And this transition from the old to the new generation gives the assurance that ODA will continue to survive.”
ODA was founded in 1995, and currently boasts of about 129 members, including the 14 new members, who were inducted during the award ceremony.
