By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, held a send-off party on Friday, May 3, 2024, to honour Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba as he retired after 35 years of dedicated service.
Assistant Comptroller General of Customs/Zonal Coordinator Zone A, Hammi Swomen, commended Comptroller Jaiyeoba on his retirement and praised the Command’s recent innovations and achievements.
“We are highly impressed by the innovations and the things that are happening here since the last time we came. I would like to thank all the Officers and Men of the Command because, without your support, it would have been difficult to achieve all these,” Swomen said.
Comptroller Jaiyeoba was described by guests and stakeholders as an astute administrator and leader who showed a willingness to teach his subordinates. In his remarks, he appreciated God for his successful 35 years of meritorious service.
“I give all glory, all honor to God, Almighty. And I also thank the Officers and Men of Apapa Command and our stakeholders for your cooperation. We came, we told you our agenda, and you keyed into it, and together, we delivered,” he said.
He stated the Command’s revenue collection achievements, saying, “I can boldly say since January till now, there has been an increase in revenue collection. We set a target for ourselves, beat it, and reset another target, which, before we know it, we have also beaten it. Because of the cooperation, because of the commitment, and because of the will, all of us have to deliver. And I must say I thank all of us for that.”
Comptroller Jaiyeoba urged officers and stakeholders to extend the same cooperation to the incoming Customs Area Controller.
“We have set a standard in Apapa Command, and with or without Comptroller Jaiyeoba, we must maintain that standard. I want to plead with us that whoever is coming to take over, the same cooperation you extended to me, I want us to give the same or more than that cooperation so that together, you can deliver.”
Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba, a native of Oyo State, holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Lagos.
His dedication and leadership will be remembered as he takes a well-deserved bow after 35 years of service.