Officers and personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, along with various stakeholders, gathered on Friday, May 3rd, 2024, to celebrate the retirement of Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba. Jaiyeoba is the outgoing Customs Area Controller of the Command, having served for a mandatory thirty-five years in the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The well-attended event saw the presence of Assistant Comptroller General of Customs/Zonal Coordinator Zone A, Hammi Swomen, Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya, Comptroller Caroline Ayo, Commissioner of Police, Western Port Authority Command, Olanrenwaju Ishola, representatives of sister agencies, stakeholders, as well as family and friends.
During his goodwill message, ACG Swomen congratulated Comptroller Jaiyeoba on his retirement and commended the recent innovations and achievements of the command. He expressed his admiration for the progress made by saying, “We are highly impressed by the innovations and the advancements that have taken place here since our last visit. I would like to extend my gratitude to all the officers and personnel of the command because, without your support, these accomplishments would not have been possible.”
Guests and stakeholders, as well as officers, described the Area Controller as an astute administrator and a dedicated leader who readily shares knowledge with his subordinates.
In his remarks, Comptroller Jaiyeoba expressed his gratitude to God for a successful 35 years of meritorious service. He stated, “I give all glory and honour to Almighty God. I also want to thank the officers and personnel of the Apapa Command, as well as our stakeholders, for their unwavering cooperation. We presented our agenda, and you all embraced it wholeheartedly, resulting in successful outcomes.”
Jaiyeoba proudly announced the increase in revenue collection since January, surpassing the set targets. He commended the cooperation, commitment, and determination of all involved, saying, “Because of our collective efforts, we have achieved remarkable revenue collection. We set targets and surpassed them, only to set new targets and surpass them again. I am grateful to every one of you for your contributions.”
The retiring Comptroller urged the officers and stakeholders to extend the same level of cooperation to the incoming controller. He emphasized the need to uphold the standard.