The Height of Customs Boss, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

The Height of Customs Boss, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi :

…There is more to what meets the eyes

(Weekend Analysis)

The first thing our Correspondent observed about the new Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, is his great height. Outwardly, CGC Adeniyi is endowed with extraordinary height. But, there is more to what meets the eyes than his tall frame. Within few days in office, the CGC moves like a workaholic, from one strategic meeting to another, one official duty to another, all in efforts to achieve greater productivity for optimum economic growth and development.

In fact, the Customs Boss didn’t even wait to assume officially in his office in Abuja, when he started work. He began straight away from Brussels in Belgium, where he attended Policy Commission and Council meetings of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), when his appointment was announced.

He swiftly took advantage of the WCO meeting to highlight numerous achievements of Nigeria Customs and the need to collaborate with international organisations on cutting-edge technologies necessary to redefine customs practice for better transformation.

Since June 19, 2023, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his wisdom, announced appointment of the new CGC, it has been work, work and work. CGC Adeniyi is moving on a very fast lane.

For instance, In less than 30 days in office, he toured all Customs departments in the Headquarters and interacted eye-to-eye with officers on duty. He reinvigorated synergy with Federal Ministry of Transportation for strategic policy implementation.

Those, were not all, he organised two-day sensitisation workshop on the new Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, to enlighten officers and stakeholders on proper understanding of the Act, to ensure smooth implementation. He met the President on what Customs can bring to the table on port efficiency for greater economic prosperity, even as he met the National Security Adviser, on border security.

One can rightly conclude that CGC Adeniyi is tall, not only in physical height, but tall in intelligence, managerial competence and leadership prowess.

Officers who interacted with our Correspondent described the Customs Boss as reliable and highly dependable.  This implies that Customs under a leader with such progressive mind is on a major transformative track.

More so, the appointment of CGC Adeniyi has been widely celebrated with encomiums by maritime stakeholders, industry players, Customs officers themselves and the media. Some see him as a highly cerebral and versatile administrator, while others said, as a career Officer highly skilled in Customs operations, CGC Adeniyi will walk the talk as a transparent agent of development.

Even Senior Customs Officers are glad with his appointment, as they expect a Boss, who is a progressive thinker, with strong commitment to the welfare of his subordinates to lead them.

Also, the appointment of CGC Adeniyi has added credence to the President as a visionary leader, who believes in merit of performance and government of national competence.

Just yesterday, the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), applauded the President on appointment of the new Customs Boss, in a letter dated July 14, 2023 and signed by Chief Patrick Ogbo, Senior Special Assistant to the Founder of NAGAFF.

NAGAFF stressed that the appointment of a career Officer as Customs Boss, in person of Mr. Adeniyi is most appropriate, highly commendable and a wise decision made by President Bola Tinubu.

Few days after his appointment, the Chairman of SIFAX Group, Dr Taiwo Afolabi, thanked Mr President for making the right choice by putting Mr Adeniyi in that position.

In the same vein, the Customs Area Controller of Ogun 1 Command, Compt Bamidele Makinde, described the appointment of CGC Adeniyi, as an honour well deserved. He expressed optimism that Mr Adeniyi has the capability and expertise to deliver excellently at that level.

The Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN), in a congratulatory message said, CGC Adeniyi is the best Man for the job, judging by his remarkable performance in various formations of the Service, where he served.

Thus, the case of CGC Adeniyi is like when opportunity meets intelligence and brings positive results, because in his amiable height are embedded resilience, patriotism, integrity and tenacity that President Bola Tinubu desires for a government of national competence.

Judging by the wide acceptance of the new Customs Boss, the concept of behavioural leadership theory, propounded by influential American Psychologist, Mr. John Watson,
easily comes into play in this scenario. According to Watson, the founder and father of behaviourism, leadership requires a set of skills, training, perception, practice, experience, influence, integrity charisma and ability to inspire others.

However, one must realise that the Customs Boss didn’t become so proficient overnight. Through hard work, assiduousness and selflessness, he rose through the ranks to this elevated position as the current Customs Boss.

Recall that CGC Adeniyi MFR, has served Nigeria Customs Service in various capacities; and many Officers who worked closely with him had benefited immensely from his fountain of knowledge.

His career path has touched various departments of the Service.
Adeniyi, served as the National Public Relations Officer of Customs for over a decade. He discharged his duties diligently as the Customs Image Maker until January 2017, when he was posted from Customs Headquarters in Abuja to serve at Apapa Area Command, the Premier port, following his promotion to the rank of Comptroller in 2017.

That was not all. Subsequently, Adeniyi was appointed Deputy Commandant of Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada in Abuja.

Following his hard work and resilience, in 2019, he was redeployed to serve as the Customs Area Controller (CAC), in charge of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command, Lagos, where he made spectacular seizure of $8.07 million. That remarkable performance earned him another promotion to the rank of Assistant Comptroller General (ACG), in February 2020.

More so, his ingenuity in intercepting a huge sum of $8.07 million cash that was illegally taken out of the country through the International Airport, endeared him to many stakeholders, as he seized the huge amount without compromise.

After his promotion to the rank of ACG, he was again posted to Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, Abuja as Commandant to head the College. Also, he was promoted to the rank of DCG.

As a reward for selfless service to his father-land and integrity on the line of duty, DCG Adeniyi was bestowed with a National Honour of (MFR).
Today, the Customs Boss is standing tall in his career, tall in intelligence, reputation and achievements.