The Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Rilwan Akiolu, has hailed the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its proactive contributions to national development, particularly in the areas of revenue generation and border security.
The monarch gave the commendation when he received the Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, and his team during a courtesy visit to his palace in Lagos.
Speaking during the visit, Oba Akiolu described the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, as “a man divinely chosen for the job,” whose leadership has brought renewed efficiency and discipline to the Service.
According to him, “Adewale Adeniyi’s hard work and dedication have continued to yield positive results for Nigeria, especially in trade facilitation and national security. His reappointment is not by chance but by merit and divine favour.”
The Oba, who also serves as the Permanent Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, urged the Service to remain steadfast in upholding justice, transparency, and fairness in all its operations. He added, “The Customs Service must continue to protect Nigerians from the smuggling of substandard goods, especially dangerous food and drugs that could harm our people.”
While offering royal blessings to the visiting team, Oba Akiolu described Comptroller Oshoba as “a disciplined and humble officer from a reputable family in Ogun State,” whom he considers as one of his own sons.
In his remarks, Comptroller Oshoba expressed gratitude to the monarch for his fatherly advice and support, assuring him of the Service’s continued commitment to national progress.
“Lagos remains central to our operations because it accounts for over half of the revenue generated by the Nigeria Customs Service,” Oshoba said. “We came here today to pay homage to our royal father and to formally introduce myself and my management team to the throne of Lagos.”
He further reaffirmed the Apapa Command’s readiness to strengthen collaboration with stakeholders in order to enhance trade facilitation and support the federal government’s economic agenda.
