Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Oyo/Osun Area Command has witnessed a smooth change of leadership as Deputy Comptroller of Customs Moses Wale Adewole formally assumed office as the Acting Customs Area Controller. He takes over from Comptroller Gambo Iyere Aliyu, who has been redeployed to the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Lagos.
Speaking during the handing-over ceremony, Adewole expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and the NCS Management for entrusting him with the leadership of the Command.
“I deeply appreciate the confidence the Comptroller-General and the Management team have placed in me. This appointment is a call to higher service, and I intend to uphold the values of professionalism, integrity, discipline, and teamwork in fulfilling the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service,” he said.
Adewole praised the outgoing Area Controller for what he described as an exemplary and impactful tenure.
“Comptroller Aliyu has laid a solid foundation, particularly in revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations, and stakeholder engagement. My administration will consolidate these gains and work diligently to surpass our existing milestones,” he assured.
The new Acting Controller outlined his operational priorities, emphasizing transparent revenue collection, strengthened inter-agency collaboration, improved work ethics, officer welfare, and sustained engagement with critical stakeholders, including traditional institutions, importers, exporters, and excise operators across Oyo and Osun States.
In his farewell remarks, Comptroller Gambo Iyere Aliyu expressed satisfaction with his achievements during his time in office.
“My tenure here has been both fulfilling and impactful. We recorded major improvements because of the strong collaboration we enjoyed from the governments and people of Oyo and Osun States, our synergy with sister agencies, and continuous engagement with traditional rulers,” he said.
He highlighted the Command’s improved revenue profile, attributing it to enhanced compliance and the deployment of the B’odogwu Unified Customs Management System.
“Our officers demonstrated commendable professionalism and resilience. Their efforts translated into significant anti-smuggling successes and contributed to safeguarding the national economy,” Aliyu added.
Urging Adewole to sustain momentum, the outgoing Controller advised him to continue capacity-building initiatives and strengthen ties with border communities. He also called for the completion of the Command’s ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project, a solar-powered healthcare centre in Iragbiji.
The ceremony concluded with goodwill messages as both officers reaffirmed their commitment to service excellence, continuity, and advancing the overarching vision of the Nigeria Customs Service.