DEPUTY COMPTROLLERS BEING GROOMED TO TAKE OVER; AS CG ADENIYI SAYS TRANSITION WILL BE GEARED TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY
By Timothy Paul Okorocha
Comptroller General of the Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, PhD, MFR, has said that the leadership transition in the Service will be one that is geared towards sustainability, and vouched that the present crop of officers at the Deputy Comptroller’s rank can conveniently take the Service to greater heights.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the strategic refresher course for Deputy Comptrollers of the zone A in Lagos, the Customs Boss stated that ‘what we do with individual actors in their respective positions matter a lot’
He charged the officers not to compromise their responsibilities, but to imbibe discipline, while showing positive examples in their conduct.
Adeniyi noted that leadership is all about sacrifice. Saying they are in a knowledge-driven world, the Customs boss told the Deputy Comptrollers majorly of 2009/2011 sets, to give attention to developing their capacities to be able to catch up with global developments, as according to him, ‘some of the things taught 20 years ago are no longer relevant as the dynamics have changed’ He said two decades ago, there was nothing like Advanced Ruling, neither was there Authorised Economic Operator (AEO).
He charged them that at all times,they must prioritize the interest of the service above theirs.
‘Your action or inaction means a lot , while your social life sometimes defines your true essence’
He said the Service is investing a lot locally and internationally on capacity building, adding that very soon, the service will also be organizing this kind of refresher courses for the Assistant Comptrollers as well as Chief Superintendents.
‘You must be mentally and physically alert to undergo these courses. You must therefore, demonstrate capacity to take up leadership of the service as we manage the transition in a result-oriented manner.
On the time line of the leadership transition as regards when promotion of officers to take over in gradual phases, the Comptroller General stated that such process will still go through the Customs Board following their sitting. In any case he said that irrespective of when he leaves, he would be glad that the transition indeed rolled off.
He however, noted that just like some few Deputy Comptrollers have been appointed Acting Controllers of some area commands, more of officers on that rank will soon be assigned such responsibilities in the spirit of the transition.
He eulogized the resource personnel especially Deputy Comptroller General Dera Nnadi, Abba Kura and some officers from the Airforce, Army for for their quality delivery.
In his keynote address, the Zonal Co-ordinator of the Lagos zone, ACG Mohammed Babandede said the Deputy Comptrollers are well qualified for any leadership position that may be entrusted on them.
He congratulated the officers for their discipline and sacrifice during the tenure of the course.
In his remarks, the acting Provost Marshal, Deputy Comptroller TS Sanusi, PhD, said; the Strategic Refresher Course has strengthened the leadership capacity, strategic thinking, operational effectiveness, and policy implementation skills of the Deputy Comptrollers of Customs who occupy critical command and management positions across the Service.
The knowledge and competencies acquired will undoubtedly enhance professionalism, improve service delivery, reinforce discipline and accountability, and further position the Service to successfully deliver on its mandate in line with your transformational vision for a modern, innovative, and globally respected Customs administration.