Okey IROEGBU
Comptroller Kayode Kolade the Customs Area Controller of Seme border Area Command no doubt is a known anti-smuggling Czar. The CAC who has traversed all the Western and Eastern Customs Commands has stamped his feet on sands of time in anti smuggling war in the Customs Service.At a recent visit to the Chairman of Badagry West LCDA in Lagos, the officers was recognised as the first Customs Controller from Lagos State origin to be posted to the famous land border.This was considered as historic by the Chairman, Hon. Gbenu Joseph according to the information reaching this media by Solomon Zosu, Senior Special Assistant on Information, Tourism and Special Works to the Badagry West Local Council Development Area. It could be observed that in the past, the youths of the area have been very restive and unaccommodating to security operatives with special attention to the Nigeria Customs Service. This had led to unwarranted attacks to both sides before the introduction of some programmes in the area to gainfully engage the youths. Badagry West LCDA is one of the three Local Government Councils that made up the old Badagry Local Government Area, sitting as the Land lord of Seme Border Customs Area Command. No sooner did Comptroller Kolade enter the border that he started working on modalities to improve on trade facilitations. This took him to visiting some economic hubs around the jurisdiction of the area command. Such visits took him to ASPANDA at the International Trade Fair Complex along Mile2/Seme Expressway and Alaba International markets to introduce the openings for the traders on export which is taking a comfortable stage at the border. It could be noted that Dangote Cement on Export goes through the border to many West African countries along Lagos/Adbhjan corridor. This and many of these trade facilitations by the workaholic controller was eulogized at the Customs Gala and Award night for Comptroller Kolade's continuous waging of war on smuggling which has helped in keeping in check the unwholesome importation of prohibited goods into the country through this corridor. At the award nite where many other Customs Area Controllers who have distinguished themselves in their respective areas of jurisdiction were honoured, Comptroller Kolade was also honoured with a prestigious award on Border trade facilitation. This could be noticed from his contineous meetings with critical stakeholders in both sides of the divide. Seme border is an international boundary between Nigeria and Benin Republic. Before now, critics have written off the border as notorious for smuggling in unwholesome items that are detrimental tohuman health. On arrival, Comptroller Kolade saw the border as an important corridor to strenghten ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme ETLS and export. This he has achieved within a relatively short period, making the area which has long gone on limbo to reactivate. At a recent visit to the Area, it could be noted that life has gradually returned to the border which went into commatoes since the closure and subsequent reopening of the border. No wander the amiable Customs Area Controller was recognised with such award. As the best Border policeman across the country with this recognition. This is inspite of his primary responsibility to intercept smugglers who have committed any economic infractions. This responsibilty of both enforcement and generation of revenue might sound herculean but the CAC is equal to the task with his officers who are ever ready to swing into action on the least credible intelligence. Comptroller Kolade whose exploits at his former command, Federal Operations Unit, Zone 'C' Owerri cannot be forgotten in a hurry is an anti-smuggling war lord. It is on record that the command has made its highest revenue under his stewardship and he is not looking back. The recent yoman job to smear his image does not give him any him any concern as he could not condescend to a mare blackmail which he sees as distraction for the economic saboteurs to strike. Even when there seem to be a ‘hired fake journalist’ trying to hunt him down, he has remained undeterred. For now Comptroller kolade remains the best officer to handle this dying corridor to put Nigeria and Benin Republic on mutual interest. He always remain grateful to the Comptroller General of Customs for the opportunity to serve at Seme, famous land border. Comptroller Kolade may have sustained the tempo of Trade activities between Nigeria and Benin Republic and other West African Countries inherited from the then Comptroller Bomodi, now an ACG. E,I&I, that won the Land Border in Trade Facilitation beating Sokoto/Zamfara and Kano/Jigawa Commands to it.
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