COMPTROLLER OLADEJI’S CUP RUNNING OVER; AS ANTI-SMUGGLING CZAR -COMPT SHUAIBU TAKES CHARGE NEXT WEEK
It is a ding- dong affair at the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja , where a controller who looks like an emperor is playing all the cards in his kitty to sustain his supremacy at his current position at the money- spinning customs Unit.
In the last two weeks since his redeployment ‘staff order’ was issued by the no- nonsense Comptroller General, detailing Oladeji to report to Abuja Headquarters to serve under the anti smuggling Czar-Assistant Comptroller General HK Ejibunu, Oladeji has feigned such redeployment. History, perhaps may be repeating itself here.
Between 1999 and the year 2000, a certain man and a close friend of mine-Compt A.A Hamidu ( Digil Mubi) held sway at the Premier customs command in Apapa as the Area controller.
No doubt, such position as a boss at the premier command was so powerful till today, as more than 40 percent of the total revenue from the customs service comes from there. And so, not only that, it is well known that whoever superintends over the command will also have a very ‘deep pocket’ in terms of ‘perks’ of office.
Attempts were made severally to transfer Compt Hamidu out of the Apapa command. Infact, to make the redeployment come through, Hamidu was promoted to the prestigious rank of an Assistant Comptroller General (ACG), which he refused to accept. He preferred being an Area controller and retaining his well-cherished comptroller’s rank.
It was indeed, a tug of war with the then Comptroller General Mustapha. It was regrettably in the midst of this struggle for the soul of Apapa command’s position and an obvious insurbordination that Compt AA Hamidu died.
Yours sincerely and Mr Okey Ibeke, the publisher of Business and Maritime West Africa were two journalists who joined his Associates to fly the body to Mubi via Maiduguri airport.
First lesson; He died refusing to vacate the office of the Area controller of Apapa command, even when he was promoted to the rank of ACG.
Second lesson; it smacks off outright insubordination, a serious offence in the military or any regimented service like the customs-refusing to move when transferred.
Third lesson is that some of these upcoming officers are yet to comprehend the import of destiny, and that no condition is permanent, and most importantly, that officers should try to be meek and humble, no matter the plum position they occupy.
Compt Oladeji, from day one, came into the FOU ‘A’ like a storm, right from the process of his taking over from distinguished Compt Ejibunu ( as he was before he was elevated to the ACG rank), it was rancorous. He never agreed on the scheduled time of the handover ceremony as planned by Ejibunu.
Same day of the handover, this writer had a brush with him and his aides who were shoving some of us aside as Ejibunu was conducting him round some of the striking seizures he made at the tail end of his tenure.
Oladeji’s ‘reign’ at the FOU ‘A’ so far could be likened to the era of Compt Daura’s maximum grip at the unit. Infact, officers have continued to argue that even under Compt Daura, they could still breath.
A lot of drawbacks signposted the reign of Oladeji; this is a man who hardly picked telephone calls from his bosses and public alike, and we all know the import of communication in the day to day running of any unit like the FOU ‘A’ primed as the ‘policeman’ of the service.
He appeared as someone who does not and is not willing to take directives from anyone in Abuja. He was said allegedly to have maintained that his redeployment to the FOU A was influenced by his close relationship with the Tinubu family and therefore, remains untouchable.
Oladeji’s style of leadership is legendary. He reports to office between 130-2pm every day against the norm. Infact, business activities start in his office by 5pm when importers ( abi smugglers) including officers take their turns, one after the other, to pay ‘homage’
Throughout his one year in office ( having assumed office April 19, 2024), he never had any Deputy Comptroller, even, some officers of the rank of Assistant Comptrollers and Chief Superintendents had to take flight, seeking a voluntary transfer out of the unit.
With a staff order now in his kitty, Oladeji seems to be buying time, or can he spring a surprise comeback?? But that will be undermining the powers of the Comptroller General, Adewale Adeniyi, MFR.
From grapevines, his staff order has been couriered to him, so he didn’t need to fly to Abuja Headquarters to be served. His replacement, distinguished Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu has also been served same way and he is ready to take over, insha Allah, from Tuesday next week (if the first family does not wade in again).
His inordinate ambition to be made ACG and subsequently take over as the next Comptroller General of the customs service has for now taken flight and remains in the womb of time, even after a solid ‘investment’ on the project.
So many lessons are inherent in this running story- No empire lasts forever.
As a public servant, you must see leadership as a pyramid-you must pay your 100 percent loyalty to your boss, in this case -the CG.
Again, like the saying goes,’greet those you meet while climbing a hill, because you might also meet them while descending’ -Now, he will probably serve under ACG Ejibunu.
This life no balance ooo.