- Customs Area Controller, Apapa Port Command, Compt. Babatunde Olomu (right) in a chat with Oba Rilwan Akiolu during his courtesy visit to the monarch…recently
By Anthony Nwachukwu
Lagos monarch, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, has expressed support for the revenue collection, trade facilitation and anti-smuggling drives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The monarch spoke in his palace during the visit by the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Port Command, Compt. Babatunde Olomu, as part of the agency’s community relations efforts to achieve host communities’ support for government fiscal policies and compliance by members of the trading community.
Emphasising the critical role of traditional institutions in promoting and supporting fiscal compliance, Olomu had told the oba that the visit was “to seek your royal blessings and to solicit your support in ensuring that your subjects and stakeholders comply fully with government fiscal policies,” according to a statement from the Command Public Relations Officer, CSC Abubakar Usman.
“The Nigeria Customs Service is expected to generate a total of N5.1 trillion in the fiscal year 2024, with the Apapa Area Command responsible for N2.3 trillion of that amount. This underscores the importance of Lagos and Apapa Port to our nation’s economy.”
Olomu explained that collaboration with traditional institutions is essential to achieving the projected revenue and ensuring the successful implementation of government policies, while also highlighting the need to minimise the smuggling of adulterated drugs, which poses significant threat to public health and safety.
Responding, Oba Akinolu expressed satisfaction with the NCS’ efforts and called for stricter measures to combat the smuggling of prohibited and adulterated drugs into the country, stating that “smuggling of drugs, adulterated or substandard, poses a great threat to our nation.
“The havoc it wreaks on our people is immense. We must continue to educate and appeal to our citizens to understand the dangers of these illicit activities. The Nigeria Customs Service, under your leadership, plays a pivotal role in this fight.”
He commended the efforts and collaboration of the NCS and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), highlighting their excellent performance in combating drug smuggling.
Akiolu assured Olomu of his unwavering support “any time, any day,” adding: “May God Almighty take care of the officers under your command and prepare you adequately for your future endeavours.
He advised the officers to prepare for their future by educating their children and maintaining their health, stating: “Educate your children and look after your health. I am 81 years old now, and it is by God’s grace. God will also do it for you.”
The visit concluded with mutual assurances of cooperation and commitment to fighting the menace of drug smuggling, ensuring the safety and well-being of the Nigerian populace.
Olomu had recently visited the Oba of Ijora, Oba Fatai Aromire, as part of efforts to strengthen customs community relations, which the monarch noted as the first of such visit to his palace in the past 30 years.
