Finally, Ali takes Buhari’s Customs job

Hammed Ali, the new comptroller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service, has assumed duty after weeks of his appointment.

TheCable had reported that Ali, who initially did not want to accept the appointment, was under immense pressure to do so. And it was also believed that his appointment represented a procedural mistake by the president.

But assuming duty on Thursday, the retired colonel, affirmed “his mandate to undertake reforms and re-structuring to enhance the capacity of Nigeria Customs Service to generate more revenue”.

According to Wale Adeniyi, spokesman of customs, the comptroller-general at a maiden meeting held with the management of the service, charged them to work with him to deliver on the mandate given by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The mandate he has given me are three basic things: go to customs, reform customs, restructure customs and increase the revenue generation, simple. I don’t think that is ambiguous, I don’t think that is cumbersome,” he said.

” It is precise and I believe that is what all of you are here to do.”

Ali pleaded with the management not to see him as a stranger in the service, stating that his mission was to help build and strengthen the organisation.

He solicited the support and loyalty of all officers and men to make the Nigeria Customs a better service.

“Earlier, the deputy comptroller-general covering duties CGC, John Atte, while handing over to him, gave him a brief history of the service and assured him of unquestionable loyalty of officers and men to work towards suppression of smuggling, increased revenue collection,  facilitation among others, in the interest of the nation,” Adeniyi said.

Ali was appointed Comptroller-General of Customs on August 27, 2015.

Born on January 15, 1955 in Dass local government of Bauchi state, Col. Hameed Ali attended Nigeria Defence Academy Kaduna, between 1974-1977, and the Sam Houston State University, Huntsville Texas USA, between 1984-1988. He holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Criminology, and the Nigerian Defence Academy Certificate of Education (NDACE).

According to Adeniyi, “Col. Ali had a distinguished career in the Nigerian Army, during which he served as Military Administrator (MILAD) Kaduna State between  1996-1998 and Colonel Training TRADOC, Minna in 1998.

“His previous appointments include General Staff Officer II, Military Police Headquarters, 1981-1982, General Staff Officer II, 1 Mechanised Div, Kaduna, 1992, and Commander, Special Investigation Bureau, Apapa, Lagos 1994-1996.”