The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lilypond Export Command, has witnessed a leadership transition following the retirement of its Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Samuel Olusanya Ariyibi.
Ariyibi formally handed over the affairs of the command to Deputy Comptroller Olusola O. Salako, who has assumed duty as the Acting Customs Area Controller.
The handing-over ceremony, held in accordance with the administrative procedures of the NCS, marked the end of Ariyibi’s tenure after a distinguished career in the Service.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ariyibi expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the management of the NCS, officers and men of the command, as well as critical stakeholders for their support and cooperation throughout his tenure.
He attributed the achievements recorded under his leadership to teamwork, professionalism, discipline, dedication and effective collaboration between the command and its stakeholders.
Ariyibi urged officers and men of the command to extend the same level of cooperation and commitment to Salako, charging them to sustain the operational standards and gains recorded during his tenure.
He also expressed confidence that the new leadership would build on the existing foundation and further advance the mandate of the Lilypond Export Command.
In his response, Salako commended Ariyibi for his “dedicated and meritorious service” to the NCS and his contributions to the growth and development of the command.
The new Acting CAC pledged to provide purposeful, responsive and professional leadership while strengthening the core mandates of the Service, particularly trade facilitation, regulatory compliance, anti-smuggling operations and stakeholder engagement.
Salako also called on officers and men to maintain discipline, professionalism and teamwork, stressing that collective responsibility would be critical to achieving the strategic objectives of the command.
He further solicited the continued cooperation of stakeholders, saying their support would be essential to strengthening the command’s operational effectiveness and contribution to national economic development.
The NCS Lilypond Export Command, in a statement signed by its Command Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs B. Olusola-Oke, thanked Ariyibi for his distinguished service and wished him a fulfilling retirement.
The command also welcomed Salako and wished him a successful and impactful tenure as Acting Customs Area Controller.
