…Pays Courtesy Visit to The Alaafin Of Oyo
The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, DC Wale Moses Adewole, has reiterated the Command’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with key stakeholders in order to enhance revenue generation and facilitate legitimate trade.
As part of this commitment, DC Adewole, alongside members of the Command’s management team, paid a courtesy visit to British American Tobacco Nigeria on Thursday, 5 March 2026. The delegation was warmly received by the company’s Director of Operations, Hasnain Ishtiaq.
During the visit, the Acting Customs Area Controller expressed appreciation to the management of the company for the warm reception and commended the organisation for its significant contribution to national revenue through excise duties. He also acknowledged the company’s continued compliance with the laws and regulations guiding excise operations in Nigeria.
DC Adewole noted that the company remains one of the critical stakeholders of the Service in promoting legitimate trade and supporting government revenue. He emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration between the Service and corporate stakeholders, while appealing for continued support to ensure efficient revenue collection in line with the statutory mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service.
In his response, Mr. Ishtiaq thanked the Acting Customs Area Controller and his delegation for the visit and for recognising the company as a valued stakeholder of the Service. He commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its dedication to revenue generation, trade facilitation and the protection of the nation’s borders, noting that these responsibilities play a vital role in Nigeria’s economic development. He further assured the Controller of the organisation’s commitment to continued cooperation and full compliance with all regulatory requirements in support of national economic growth.
In a related development, the Acting Customs Area Controller also paid a courtesy visit to the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade. During the visit, DC Adewole acknowledged the revered traditional institution as a custodian of the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Yoruba people.
He highlighted the importance of community collaboration in the fight against smuggling and appealed to the monarch to use his respected position to sensitise members of the community on the dangers of smuggling and its adverse effects on the nation’s economy.
Responding, the Alaafin commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its continued efforts in safeguarding the nation’s economy through effective revenue generation and anti-smuggling operations. The monarch assured the Acting Customs Area Controller of the palace’s support in mobilising the people of Oyo and its environs to shun smuggling and embrace lawful economic activities that contribute to national development.
DC Adewole reaffirmed the commitment of the Oyo/Osun Area Command to deepening collaboration with stakeholders, traditional institutions and the public in order to boost revenue generation, promote legitimate trade and support the economic prosperity of Nigeria.
