Those who say some leaders are born; those who say leaders are made and even those who are of the view that leaders are groomed could be right but fall short of deep reflection if they fail to reach the conclusion that there are those who embody all these traits and more.

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, CGC Bashir Wale Adeniyi was undeniably born, groomed and prepared for leadership from his early days-this much was attested to by his peers from days of yore.

Unarguably, it is historic and unprecedented, that core Maritime Journalists, under the aegis of Nigerian Maritime Journalists, NMJ, a group existing in different bits, camp and affiliations, could come together without coercion, prompting nor pressure from any quarters to bestow on  the CGC  the  Iconic Maritime Personality of the Year 2024-further buttressing the CGC’s leadership qualities, Professionalism and Excellence in service to Nigeria.

Chairman of the event, Prince Olayinwola Shittu, former National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA),  described the award as fitting and well deserved. As a frontline clearing agent and a father to maritime operators, the maritime colossus spoke the mind of many guests when he affirmed that the CGC has achieved much under a short period with an added quality of having a listening ear with a sharp discerning mind.

Very eminent maritime stakeholders who graced the occasion (held at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos On Thursday, February 13, 2025) were unanimous that NMJ was very apt and unquestionably justified in celebrating the CGC.

Zonal Coordinator, Zone A, of the Nigeria Customs Service, ACG Charles Orbih, chronicled and corroborated what many guests submitted as the CGC achievements when he said:

“The conferment of this golden award of Iconic Maritime Personality of the Year 2024 on the CGC reflects the remarkable transformation that has occurred within the Service under his stewardship”

“The modernization of the Nigeria Customs procedure, strengthening of risk management system and optimization of revenue collection processes have yielded unprecedented results. In the past one year, we have exceeded our revenue collections in a very remarkable way, our target was 5.079 trillion but we exceeded it and we collected 6.1 trillion contributing significantly to the federal government fiscal objectives”

“Under the CGC’s leadership, the Service has fostered relationships with other government agencies, international organizations and the private sector including the maritime industry. This strategic alliance has improved intelligence sharing leading to effective joint operation in combating smuggling and other forms of criminalities”

“The relationship has also facilitated trade, reduce clearance time and enhance compliance level among stakeholders. The deployment of cutting edge technology has revolutionize our operation advance scanning system and digitalize solutions have significantly improve our cargo examination processes and risk management capabilities. These innovations have reduced cargo dwelling time and improve ease of doing business at our various ports.”

“This recognition by Nigerian Maritime Journalists added to the international recognition by the  World Customs Organization to regional bodies added to your innovative approach to Customs administration have become reference point for best practices. Your diplomatic acumen has strengthened our international partnership and position Nigeria as a key player in global trade facilitation” ACG Charles Orbih said.

The CGC who exchanged freely exchanged banters with journalists and other stakeholders at the award ceremony expressed his gratitude for the honour by the Nigerian maritime media practitioners.

His words “We are beginning to restore some sanity in the areas of policy formulation and implementation where Customs played a significant role. In 2025, we will continue in the same trajectory of ensuring that duty collection is done in a hitch free environment in trade facilitation”

“The symbolism of this award is that we have something that serves as a rallying point for all associations in the maritime journalism sub sector” the CGC said