On Friday, 4th August 2023, Ag. Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, wrapped up his first official visits to Ilela and Jibia borders to inspect the full implementation of the recent ‘Border Closure Policy’ at the two stations with a visit to the Veteran Customs Officer, ACG Lawan Bagiwa (rtd), at his residence in Katsina town.
Speaking to the ex-ACG Bagiwa, Ag. Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR said that he decided to visit him out of respect and in view of his meritorious service to his fatherland.
“We feel very proud to have you after your retirement, and you are still doing this for the service of our fatherland. We pray that God will give you long life and good health so that you continue to render your support to the Service.” CGC Adeniyi said.
The Ag. CGC also extolled ex-ACG Bagiwa for distinguishing himself while serving as Customs Officer between 1965 to 1999 when he retired as one of the then Management Staff.
Responding, the retired Assistant Comptroller General, Bagiwa Lawal, appreciated Ag. CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR for stopping by to greet him out of respect and congratulated him on his appointment, “We are indeed very grateful to have you at the helm of affairs of the Nigeria Customs Service. I want to use this opportunity, on behalf of the retired and serving officers and men of the Service, to congratulate you on your appointment.”
Retired ACG Bagiwa told the CGC that he never turned a blind eye to Customs right from 1965, when he joined the Service, to 1999, when he retired and consequently after his retirement.
“You are fortunate to have Mr Adeniyi as the Comptroller General of this Service because he is a seasoned Customs Officer; he is a Customs Officer to the core – and I have the privilege to be one of the officers to have brought him up. Adeniyi is one of our good sons; we are proud of him.” Ex-ACG Bagiwa vouched.
The Ag. CGC then proceeded to the residence of former Comptroller General of the Service, Late Abdullahi Dikko Inde, to greet his family, specifically the elderly mother of the late former Customs Boss. The session was blessed with special prayers to the late former Comptroller General of Customs.
The Late Dikko Inde’s family expressed their delight in receiving the CGC at their home and prayed that his tenure would be bright and hitch-free.