Following the retirement of Comptroller Samuel Olusanya Ariyibi, Deputy Comptroller Olusola O. Salako has taken over the leadership of the Lilypond Export Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as the Acting Customs Area Controller.
According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs B. Olusola-Oke, the handing-over ceremony was conducted in accordance with the established administrative procedures of the Service. Olusola-Oke noted that Comptroller Ariyibi bowed out of the Service after a distinguished and meritorious career.
In his remarks, Comptroller Ariyibi expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the management of the NCS, officers and men of the Command, and critical stakeholders for their support and cooperation throughout his tenure.
He attributed the achievements recorded by the Command to teamwork, professionalism, discipline, dedication and effective collaboration among officers and stakeholders.
Ariyibi urged officers and men of the Command to extend the same spirit of cooperation and commitment to the incoming Acting CAC.
He encouraged them to sustain the operational standards and gains recorded during his tenure, while expressing confidence in the ability of the new leadership to build on the existing foundation and further advance the mandate of Lilypond Export Command.
In his response, the incoming Acting CAC, Deputy Comptroller Salako, commended Comptroller Ariyibi for his dedicated and meritorious service to the Nigeria Customs Service and his contributions to the growth and development of Lilypond Export Command.
He pledged to provide purposeful, responsive and professional leadership while advancing the core mandates of the Service, particularly in trade facilitation, regulatory compliance, anti-smuggling operations and effective stakeholder engagement.
DC Salako called for the continued cooperation, discipline, and professionalism of all officers and men of the Command, emphasising the importance of collective responsibility in achieving the mandate of the Service and the strategic objectives of the Command.
He also sought the continued support and cooperation of stakeholders to strengthen the Command’s operational effectiveness and contribution to national economic development.
The officers and men of the Command thanked Comptroller Ariyibi for his distinguished, dedicated, and meritorious service to Customs and the nation. They wished him a fulfilling and successful retirement.
Similarly, the Command welcomed the Acting CAC and wished him a successful and impactful tenure.
