CGC Adeniyi Commissions ‘Award Winning’ Administrative Building ,Others,As Comptroller Dera Nnadi rewrites 40- year Old History

CGC Adeniyi Commissions ‘Award Winning’ Administrative Building ,Others,As Comptroller Dera Nnadi rewrites 40- year Old History
…… Adeniyi honours Briggue,first TinCan Area Controller

CGC Adeniyi,MFR,commissioning the renovated Administrative Building,TinCan port Command,on Tuesday, while Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni (L)  looks on

By Frank Odinukaeze

Comptroller Dera Nnadi has once again made a historical milestone,in the trajectory of his illustrious career in the Nigeria Customs Service,as the Comptroller General of Customs, Comptroller Bashir Adewale Adeniyi,commissioned the renovated 40 years old administrative office of the Nigeria Customs, TinCan port Command, describing the aesthetically designed building as an award winning project.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Tuesday ,at TinCan port Command,in Lagos, CGC Adeniyi,MFR, expressed delight over the now new look building said, “We dedicate this to the glory of God, and for the provision of better and more optimal service to the federal government of Nigeria. I commend Comptroller Dera Nnadi and all his men for the initiative of getting this done. When he told me about it, I never knew that it was such a gigantic project.

“I just thought that they to put some brushes here and there. But from what I have seen physically and from the video I’ve seen, this is an award-winning project. The award for the Nigeria Customs Service in 2024, which was supposed to have taken place two weeks ago, will now take place in two days’ time. As Comptroller-General of Customs, I can assure you that we will not forget this project.”

L-R Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni,CGC Adeniyi MFR presenting a plaque to the First Substantive Customs Admnistrator,Tin Can Command, Comptroller JF Brigue (Rtd), on Tuesday .

Adeniyi who emphasized the need for collaborations between the NCS and other sister agencies, including Terminal Operators , freight forwarders,as well as shipping companies and other stakeholders,revealed that the government is working on a single window to bring all stakeholders into an automated platform that will allow regulatory oversight and improve operational efficiency and control.
The CGC who was full of commendation for Area Controllers present at th event remarked,“I want to commend other Area Controllers who decided to prioritize this event and equally encourage you to always engage your stakeholders. When we leave here, I’m also going to the Murtala-Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) for something similar to this, which they have also put together,”
In his welcome address, Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni,said,
“This renovation marks a significant milestone in the history of our Command, and it is a great honor to host the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, dsm, fnipr, psc(+) and his team here today.
” As we celebrate the unveiling of this renovated facility, we must recognize the historical context of this transformation. Since the inception of this Command in 1977, no major renovation has been undertaken to update and modernize the office complex.
“For decades, our officers have worked diligently within the confines of outdated infrastructure, and today, we witness a transformation that will no longer be just a reflection of the past, but a symbol of the future – a future that is modern, efficient, and committed to service excellence
” This renovation goes beyond mere aesthetics or upgrading physical infrastructure; it is a clear statement of intent that reinforces the CGC’s policy focus on Collaboration, Consolidation, and Innovation. It is a reaffirmation of our commitment to improving working conditions, enhancing operational efficiency, and providing a conducive environment for our officers and stakeholders alike”.
Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni, revealed that the Command has made remarkable strides in revenue generation as it has generated over N1.1trillion, a historic figure collected in a single year and over 43 percent more than the entire 2023 revenue of N639billion.
He said,”It is important to note that our work here at Tin Can Island Port goes beyond infrastructure; we are deeply committed to the economic growth of Nigeria. In 2024, under the leadership and guidance of the Comptroller General of Customs, our Command has made remarkable strides in revenue generation. We are proud to announce that for the first time in history, Tincan Island Port has generated over ₦1, 125,744,318,049.60 (One trillion, One Hundred and Twenty Five Billion, Seven Hundred and Forty-Four Million, Three Hundred and Eighteen Thousand, Forty Nine Naira Sixty Kobo) in revenue—an exceptional feat that highlights the dedication and hard work of our officers.

This achievement is a significant leap from the ₦639,665,622,978.55 (Six Hundred and Thirty Nine Billion, Six Hundred and Sixty Five Million, Six Hundred and Twenty Two Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy Eight Naira, Fifty Five Kobo) collected as at November 2023. The success recorded in our revenue drive reflects not only the diligence of our officers but also the collaborative efforts with other stakeholders. It is a testament to the positive impact of our policies and reforms, and it reaffirms the Service commitment to maximizing revenue collection for the growth of our nation.
“In addition to our successes in revenue generation, we continue to make significant strides in enforcing compliance and tackling smuggling activities. We are all witness to the seizure of various quantities of arms, unregulated pharmaceutical and psychotropic substances and other Un-customs goods. Our achievement in this direction further underscores our commitment to safeguarding the nation’s economic and security interests. These seizures not only demonstrate the vigilance and dedication of our officers but also highlight our unyielding commitment to safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s borders. We recognize the importance of preventing the inflow of harmful goods and ensuring that all imported items meet the legal and regulatory standards.”
Highpoint of the event was the celebration of the first Substantive administrator of the Command, Comptroller James Brigue (Rtd) who led the command between 1982 and 1984.

The 96-year old, Brigue,who would turn 97 by December ,28,2024,went back memory lane of his Customs service years, exuding joy and gladness that he had instructions from God to serve him,and that informed his retiring from service in 1986 to heed the call of God.