Comptroller Wale Adenuga has officially taken over as the new Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Seme Area Command, pledging to deepen trade facilitation and position the border as a pride of Nigeria.
The handing-over ceremony, held on Tuesday at the ECOWAS Joint Border Post, Seme-Krake, drew the presence of senior security officials, trade and transport stakeholders, community leaders, and members of the media.
In his inaugural address, Comptroller Adenuga commended his predecessor, ACG Ben Oramalugo, for his achievements, assuring that he would consolidate on the progress made.
“Trade facilitation is my keyword. When stakeholders make proper declarations, their consignments will leave Customs control within the shortest possible time. The more we facilitate trade, the more revenue we generate and the less smuggling we have,” Adenuga stated.
He further promised to work in close synergy with sister agencies — including the DSS, Police, Immigration, NDLEA, NAFDAC, and the military — to curb crime and create a business-friendly environment. Adenuga also pledged to sustain engagement with traditional rulers, youths of Badagry, and the media, noting that “his doors remain open.”
The new CAC assured that he would lead by example and maintain discipline among officers, stressing the need for uncompromised service delivery. He also underscored the importance of making Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi — who doubles as President of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council — proud through exemplary performance.
In his farewell remarks, ACG Oramalugo described his exit as a moment of mixed emotions, combining gratitude for his promotion with nostalgia for his service at Seme. He highlighted achievements recorded during his tenure, including sustained anti-smuggling operations, improved revenue collection, enhanced trade facilitation, and strengthened inter-agency collaboration.
He thanked the CGC and NCS management for their support, while urging officers and stakeholders to extend even greater cooperation to his successor.
The ceremony also featured goodwill messages from sister agencies and regulatory stakeholders, including the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Shippers’ Council, NDLEA, and FRSC.
The event closed with a joint pledge from all agencies and stakeholders to support the new CAC in boosting revenue, curbing smuggling, enhancing security, and promoting seamless trade at the Seme border.