--Seeks Traditional Rulers' Supports
By Niyi Ogungbola
The new Controller of Ogun Area 1 Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi has assured that ,the Command under his care is not out to Militarize Ogun State but prepared to enforce Government policies to the betterment of the Nigeria.
Comptroller Nnadi stated this on Tuesday,while appealing to traditional rulers in Ogun State to use their respective palaces in educating their subjects on the dangers of attacking Service operatives in the state.
Controller Nnadi who embarked on the visit to Traditional institutions as part of the efforts of his command at forging symbiotic relationship with key stakeholders and Royal fathers solicited for their support to ensure smooth running of his administration.
Apparently referring to the death of two Customs' personnel (not from his Command) killed by suspected smugglers last October, 2021, Nnadi specifically appealed to traditional rulers in Yewaland whose territories serve as base for the Customs operations to rise to the challenge of rewriting the narratives tagging the Yewaland as war zone in Federal Government's efforts tackling smuggling activities in Nigeria.
Speaking at the palace of the Agura of Gbagura, Abeokuta, Oba Sabur Babajide Bakre, Nnadi disclosed that NCS under his Command was not out to militarize Ogun State, but would appreciate a mutual cooperation of the palace and towns towards overcoming the challenges which smuggling activities posed to the Nigerian economy.
Also at Alake Palace, the Customs Boss made a similar appeal calling for Alake and the Paramount Ruler of Egbaland support to effectively carry out the role of enforcing government policies .
He said that the government is mindful of people plights concerning the closure of borders but appealed for patience saying,that all government is doing is to better the lots of Nigerians economically.
Responding,the Alake of Abeokuta and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba (Dr.) Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo declared that his palace would not disturb the Customs' operations in the state, but continually pray for the successes of the NCS personnel because of the enormous tasks they render to the country with dedication.
He said that,apart from crude oil,Customs service is the next vaible revenue generation out fit to the government and must be supported in all her operations.
Earlier in his address to the Yewa Traditional Council at the palace of Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Nnadi hinted that though his job in the state is to enforce Federal Government's policies, but to make such easier, NCS under his watch would appreciate a symbiotic relationship between critical stakeholders and other residents of the state by engaging the best rules of engagement.
The Customs Area 1 Command Controller however, assured the traditional institution in the state, particularly the Yewa Traditional Council, all their complaints and requests will be tabled before the Service's higher authority, with a promise that, all will be attended to.
First Awareness reports that,in their separate comments, the royal fathers in the Yewa Traditional Council blamed the attacks on NCS operatives on long period of the border closure, which they said forced the youths of the area into seeking alternative means of feeding their families.
Responding to their complaints , Nnadi expressly declared that the youths of the host communities must desist from attacking Customs Officers under any guise.
According to the Controller, NCS and host communities can always address whatever misunderstandings that arises in the course of enforcing the Federal Government's policies on trade and investments amicable without necessarily resorting to violence on either part.
Nnadi also promised to table before the NCS higher authority, the complaints of the Yewa traditional rulers, ranging from lack of respect for their stools by the operatives; non consideration of Yewa youths for recruitment into the Service, as well as lack of infrastructure in the axis despite the huge revenue which the communities contribute to the national economy among others.
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