Apapa Customs Command in retrospect :  Compt Olomu working with his eyes on the board

Apapa Customs Command in retrospect :  Compt Olomu working with his eyes on the board

It happened precisely on May 6, 2024. It was on a Monday morning, the atmosphere was good and the conference hall was filled to capacity with stakeholders, freight forwarders and media practitioners, as he
entered the venue.

Walking side-by-side his predecessor,
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu PhD, the Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, stepped into the ultra-modern conference hall of Apapa Command, the flagship of Nigeria Customs Service with so much charisma.

His first assertion was; “I came prepared for the task”. Certainly, judging by his exceptional performance in revenue collection, trade facilitation and anti-smuggling drive, just three months on the saddle, Compt Olomu has made Nigeria Customs Service proud. He has delivered beyond expectation.
Now, it’s quite glaring that Compt Olomu came fully committed to carry out his statutory responsibilities diligently.

Few weeks ago, he turned in an impressive revenue record of N1.2trillion realised in 7 months, January to July 2024. In what can be classified as the most remarkable achievement, he collected N201billion in the month of July 2024, making the highest monthly revenue collection in the history of Nigeria Customs Service.

Aside from revenue collection for the Federal Government, his proficiency in trade facilitation and anti-smuggling duties are clear manifestations of his statesmanship and patriotism in the service of his fatherland.

Only three days ago, on Thursday, August 15, 2024, the Comptroller General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, unveiled massive seizures of expired and controlled pharmaceutical products worth N1.8billion, intercepted by Compt Olomu and his gallant officers, the type of seizures, which saved innocent lives from killer drugs.

Our Correspondent, who has been following the activities of Apapa Command and its anti-smuggling exploits, takes a retrospective look at the modus-operandi of Compt Olomu since he stepped into the arena on Monday May 6, 2024, till today, especially the feats recorded in all aspects of his operations.
So far, it has been success story for Apapa Command in the last few months.

According to Compt Olomu; ” We are determined to meet our revenue target for 2024. We are keeping our eyes on the board. What we don’t see, the Tariff and Trade department will see it, as well as Valuation unit, Post Clearance Audit (PCA), Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) and other units, which have been reinvigorated to function optimally.

“The CGC has given us tremendous support to succeed in revenue collection and trade facilitation. So, we don’t only block, but we pluck all revenue leakages to ensure maximum revenue generation for government.”

On compliance level among maritime traders, the Area Controller said : “I can say categorically that the level of compliance has improved tremendously. I rate compliance level now 65%. But we can do better. The stakeholders can do more.

“In fact, we have enjoyed great support from the CGC. Our officers are up and doing in collecting revenue.”

Speaking further; Compt Olomu emphasised : “We will continue to be focused and vigilant in doing our work. For instance, in the month of July 2023, Apapa Command had 30.000 declarations, yet the revenue realised was not up to what we have now. This year, July 2024, we had 27,000 declarations but we realised N201billion.”

Thus, looking at the commitment, hard work and resilience of Babatunde Olomu on duty, even the CGC himself could not hold back his enthusiasm, as he openly applauded him and his officers when unveiling massive seizures of expired drugs at Apapa port few days ago.

Memory Lane :  More so, our Correspondent went memory lane to recall the unforgettable moments, assurances and excitement that filled the air, that particular day Compt Olomu stepped into Apapa Command as the new Area Controller.

So, read along, as our Reporter recalls a flash-back of Compt Olomu’s first day at Apapa Command as Area Controller.

The Flash-back below :
He sat on the high table with a smile and pleasant facial expression!  looked at the large audience that came to welcome him with great admiration!  Signed the documents presented before him boldly without wavering ! Took over the flag, the mantle of leadership showing great strength, determination, a sense of purpose and standing tall on his career path !

The arrival of Compt Olomu on May 6, 2024, received a standing ovation, as he was ushered to the high table. Our Correspondent observed closely his carriage, gesture, speech and mannerisms, as he took over the leadership of Apapa Premier Port Command. In deed, he appeared well prepared and ready to hit the ground running. Yes, the new helmsman on the saddle of Apapa Command appeared well grounded, showing so much proficiency on his first day in office. He signed all the documents presented before him without wavering.

His antecedents on career path : Also, our Correspondent, gathered that Compt Olomu has served Customs diligently in various capacities at different formations. He served as the Comptroller of Special Project at Customs Headquarters in Abuja, he served in Enforcement Unit of Apapa Command, he equally served as the Area Controller of Edo/Delta, among other units of the Service.  As such, coming to the flagship Command does not make him quiver because he has the expertise to deliver on his mandate.

This implies that Compt Olomu has the skills and dynamic potentiality to pilot the affairs of number one Command of Nigeria Customs Service. Certainly, he appears unbeatable !

Academic background : Academically, he is top-notch. Compt Olomu holds a PhD in International Relations, from University of Abuja; Mphil in International Relations, from the prestigious University of Ibadan, a reputable institution in the country; a Master degree in Public Administration from University of Calabar; Msc in International Relations from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; Bsc in Political Science from Ondo State University; among others.

On that day of his assumption in office, he received the symbol of authority with so much confidence and tenacity. For him, taking over the leadership of Apapa Command remains a statutory responsibility he must deliver to the best of his ability, to justify the confidence reposed on him by the CGC and the entire Customs management.

His exact words when taking over the mantle of leadership :  “I see my task as CAC Apapa Command as a serious assignment from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR dsm psc (+), of which my only option is to deliver diligently not only in revenue collection, the fight against smuggling, but in trade facilitation and sustainable stakeholders’ engagement.

“My assumption of this office is with a mind of confidence that we won’t betray the trust reposed in us by the Federal Government of Nigeria, FGN, the CGC and the entire management of the Nigeria Customs Service. This confidence is premised on the reality that I am taking over a very organised Command, where I intend to build on the successes of my predecessor.

“Let me state unequivocally that we shall implement all the provisions of Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the Common External Tariff, import and export prohibition guidelines and other books of instruction as directed by the FGN.

“While promoting a robust customs community relations system where there will be regular interface with all government and private sector stakeholders, I shall upscale our enforcement with intelligence to ensure that only legitimate trade thrives in Apapa Port and all the terminals within the Command”.

He went on : “Our tolerance level for smuggling of prohibited items, concealment and declaration for duty evasion shall be zero and must remain so.

“Our country holds a strategic position for trade in West and Central Africa. Therefore. Apapa Port is critical in Nigeria’s participation in African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). We are reviving Nigeria’s readiness for improved trade with fellow African countries and the world at large.

“As you may be aware, the management of the service is committed to evolving a more modern customs with Apapa Port being a nucleus to implementation of  many trade facilitation reforms championed by the Comptroller-General of Customs.

“I want to urge our officers to brace up for the changes that will feature as fallouts of customs modernisation, otherwise called e-customs, AEO, and many other groundbreaking World Customs Organisation innovations, like the recently introduced advanced ruling policy.

“This will enable more gains of trading across borders in the global supply chain, in line with the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC), the WCO Supply Chain Management Guidelines, and the various national best practices”.

He emphasised :  “As a working principle, I hereby advise all our officers to treat all official matters with the speed they deserve, leaving no file unattended to, as such delays could mean slowing down government revenue inflow.

“I shall emplace a trade dispute resolution seat that will operate every day including weekends, to ensure that we make this Command a true front liner in global best practices in terms of customs operations for other customs formations to emulate.

“Being the Customs Command handling the largest volume of trade in Nigeria, Apapa Command under my leadership won’t be complacent and will be open to continuous engagement with everyone. My doors are open for advice on how best to achieve our mandate because we are all here to add value and do better for Nigeria.”

Yes, today, Compt Olomu sits atop Apapa Customs Command, the premier port, saying he has no option than to deliver. Recall that during the just concluded 10 days  nationwide protest, when many offices were under lock and key, Compt Olomu was on his duty post at the seaport working assiduously to meet his revenue target. Always, he appears courageous, dogged, tenacious and assertive.