The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has paid homage to the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, at his Palace in Kano.
During the meeting, CGC Adeniyi reiterated the importance of strengthening the bond between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Kano community, stressing the Service’s more profound commitment to collaboration and mutual understanding.
Expressing his dedication to facilitating trade in the state, CGC Adeniyi pledged to implement policies aimed at streamlining business processes and engaging with stakeholders.
Speaking further, the CGC revealed that the Service has made all arrangements to implement measures to alleviate the current challenge of food scarcity and hardship in Kano by distributing food items to the state’s citizens.
Addressing the Emir and members of his Emirate Council, CGC Adeniyi said, “We are here in Kano for two reasons: first, as we approach the season of Ramadan, it is good for us to come around and extend our felicitations to the Emir and join him in the prayers that Almighty God will make this month a blessed and glorious one for us and our country.”
He told the Emir that his other reason for visiting Kano was to check on his officers to supervise how they carry out their duties in and around Kano, adding, “We cannot embark on these assignments without starting from here.”
He said, “The country is currently undergoing a security crisis regarding the sorry state of food shortages, and as a responsible agency, the Nigeria Customs Service is saddled with the responsibility to come up with solutions to such challenges in the country.”
He stressed that he would soon urge members of his management team to brainstorm how the Service would assist the Federal Government in achieving food sufficiency in the country, “The Federal Government had given a matching order to the Service to mitigate the challenges,” he added.
According to him, the Service will start distributing seized food items to the residents of Kano State, “We have already kick-started this program in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria as directed by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu,” he elaborated.
In the area of collaboration, the CGC seized the opportunity to ensure the Emir of his readiness to partner with the Emirates Council, especially in terms of guidance and support, adding, “The Service respects the royal institution as custodians of culture.”
He also recalled how the Service enjoyed positive partnership and support from the citizens of Kano for over three decades; thus, the Management Team of the Nigeria Customs Service deemed it necessary to visit the king.
The CGC, however, pledged to strengthen his support and partnership with the Emirate, considering the vast operations that the Service has in the state, “the biggest airport in Northern Nigeria is in Kano, we have a dry Port and many other things.”
Responding, the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, warmly welcomed the Comptroller-General of Customs and his entourage to Kano State and congratulated him on his appointment as the CGC.
Emir Bayero expressed delight over the CGC’s plans to start distributing food items to Kano citizens amid the hardship and hunger that most ordinary people face in the country, urging the CGC to ensure that the gesture reaches the most affected people.
He also narrated how he recently received the First Lady and wife of the President, Senator Remi Bola Tinubu, at his Palace, where he urged her to remind the president of the current daunting time and hardships faced by Nigerians.
According to the Emir, the CGC’s response regarding taking measures to alleviate the suffering in Kano and other regions across the federation has spoken volumes to the level of responsiveness of President Tinubu’s led administration.
He said the measure of distributing the food items to the citizens of Kano had served as a strong response to his call to the president through his wife, Remi Bola Tinubu.
Emphasizing the significance of dialogue and cooperation, the Emir highlighted the potential for shared prosperity through effective partnerships between governmental agencies and traditional authorities.
As Nigeria continues to navigate economic challenges and opportunities, initiatives such as this serve as a testament to the power of collaboration in driving sustainable development and fostering prosperity at the grassroots level.
The Emir also assured the CGC of his Palace’s unwavering support in all ramifications, especially that which will yield positive results for Kano and Nigeria at large.
By Ruth Sekyi – Public Sector Global
