Seme, Nigeria – Comptroller Kayode Kolade, the newly appointed Controller of the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has vowed to strengthen and improve upon the accomplishments of his predecessors as he assumes leadership of the command. The announcement was made in a statement by the command’s spokesman, Superintendent of Customs Abdullahi Hussaini, on Thursday.

Kolade, who took over the reins on Tuesday, succeeded Timi Bomodi, who was recently promoted to the position of Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) of Customs.

In his address during the handover ceremony, Comptroller Kolade expressed confidence in his ability to fulfill the responsibilities assigned to him by the NCS management. Drawing on his extensive experience in various enforcement roles, he promised to both “consolidate and improve upon his predecessor’s achievements.” He emphasized his familiarity with the complexities of the Seme Command, having previously worked there, and expressed his commitment to leveraging this knowledge to enhance the command’s operations.

“I am confident in the team here and believe we can overcome the challenges ahead by working together,” Kolade said, soliciting the support and cooperation of officers and staff. He assured them that the leadership process would be inclusive and urged everyone to work collaboratively for the benefit of the country.

Praise for Predecessor

Kolade’s predecessor, Timi Bomodi, who now serves as Acting ACG, expressed gratitude to Comptroller General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi and the NCS leadership for the opportunity to serve as the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Seme. He commended the officers and stakeholders for their cooperation during his tenure and urged them to extend the same support to Kolade.

Bomodi highlighted Kolade’s appointment as a strategic move, expressing optimism that the command would excel under his leadership despite the challenges faced at the border.

A Seasoned Customs Officer

The command’s spokesman noted that Kolade is a seasoned customs officer with a wealth of experience, having served in various roles across several customs formations. He has also represented the NCS in international courses and has been recognized with numerous awards for his exceptional performance, particularly in anti-smuggling operations.

In 2017, Kolade received a commendation from former Comptroller General Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) for his outstanding work as the Coordinator of the CGC Strike Force Team in Zone ‘C,’ which covers the South-South and South-East states of Nigeria.

Kolade’s appointment is seen as a strategic move by the NCS to ensure continuity and progress in the Seme Command, a critical frontier in Nigeria’s customs operations.