Making the presentation on behalf of the WCO, Secretary General, Kunio Mikuriya, the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hammed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) informed the audience that the International Customs Day celebrated by Customs administrations all over the world, provided an opportunity to X-ray, review and evaluate the role of Customs in nation building as a revenue generating agency, stating further that the theme for this year, ‘To secure business environment for economic development” was apt, considering the state of insecurity and challenges in Nigeria and the world at large.
While receiving the award on behalf of the Command, the Comptroller, Tin-Can Customs, Bashar Yusuf, recalled with nostalgia, the exploits of the command in the past two years. According to the obviously elated Controller, “I assumed leadership of the command at a time its rating was at lowest ebb in terms of functionality in areas of revenue and seizures which forms the core mandate of the Command. I thank God almighty for giving me the wherewithal to justify the confidence reposed in me by the CGC and his management which is evidenced in this international award.
“I therefore dedicate it to the Entire Tin-Can Team, comprising the officers/men, the CIU, Valuation, PCA, the Customs Brokers, critical Stakeholders and the Media for their tremendous support.
and then