Giving Dikko Abdulahi his due

SIR: When the government of the late President Musa Umar Yar’Adua appointed him in 2009 to manage the second highest generating revenue agency in the country, no one was in doubt about his ability and determination.

Alhaji Dikko Inde Abdullah is leaving the Nigeria Customs Service with legacies that would be remembered for many years to come due to his focus, visionary and purposeful leadership when he held sway as the Comptroller-General for six years. Revenue generation during the tenure of the Customs boss rose from a monthly N29 billion to between 90 and N100 billions, which was part of the six-point agenda he set for himself when he assumed duty.

The other notable legacies for the service include capacity building, introduction of e-Customs, enhancing productivity through improved welfare package, moral rebirth in the service, collaboration with stakeholders and international organisations as well as fostering understanding of the service by the public.

The NCS fared better under Dikko Abdullah who lifted the welfare of officers to the front burner.

But as a human being, Abdullahi cannot be exonerated from certain shortcomings during his stay as the head of Customs. We believe his successor Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd.) would build on the success of the former C-G and correct certain lapses he would notice. The government of President Muhammadu Buhari, which is being noted for giving leadership position on merit should ensure the next C-G would be a man of proven integrity, hard work, a seasoned officer who would key into Buhari’s change mantra.

As Inde Abdullah takes a bow, we wish him success in his next endeavour.
• Bala Nayashi,
Lokoja. Kogi State