Customs Zone ‘A’ Coordinator, Mohammed Babandede, 6 Top Comptrollers Bow Out After 35 Years of Meritorious Service

Customs Zone ‘A’ Coordinator, Mohammed Babandede, 6 Top Comptrollers Bow Out After 35 Years of Meritorious Service

By Success Okezie

It was an emotional outpouring of encomiums and celebration in Lagos on Thursday as the Assistant Comptroller-General and Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), ACG Mohammed Babandede, bowed out of service after 35 years of meritorious and unblemished service to the nation.

ACG Babandede retired alongside six other Customs Area Controllers (CACs) of Zone ‘A’.

The six retiring Comptrollers are: Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba of Apapa Command; Comptroller Hawah Abubakar of Lagos Free Trade Zone; Comptroller Patrick Ntadi of Western Marine Command; Comptroller Chidi Nwokorie of Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command; Comptroller O.O. Akingbade of Ogun II Command; and Comptroller Gambo Aliyu of Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’.

The retirement send-off ceremony, which was held in honour of ACG Babandede in Lagos, attracted top hierarchy of the Service, including Comptrollers, senior officers, family members, friends and captains of industry.

Officers of Zone ‘A’ described the retiring Zonal Coordinator as an oriented problem-solver, a teacher, a mentor and a father figure whose leadership style inspired excellence and dedication.

In his valedictory remarks, an emotion-laden ACG Babandede expressed profound gratitude to Almighty Allah for preserving his life throughout his 35 years in service without accident, kidnap or any mishap.

He also expressed deep appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for giving him the opportunity to serve as Zonal Coordinator and contribute his quota to national development.

Babandede recalled that he joined the Nigeria Customs Service at the age of 24, shortly after his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). He noted that out of his 59 years on earth, he spent 35 years in the Service, which he described as his second family.

 

“The journey from primary school to university and into the Customs Service was not easy. It was made possible through perseverance, discipline, dedication and above all, the grace of Almighty Allah,” he stated.

The retiring ACG thanked his beloved wife, children, siblings and friends for standing by him through thick and thin, stressing that Customs job, like life itself, is full of ups and downs that require patience, understanding and strong family support to overcome.

He commended officers and men of the Service for their collaboration and unwavering support during his tour of duty and conveyed the deep appreciation of the Comptroller-General for their dedication to duty and commitment to revenue generation.

Babandede charged serving officers to keep the flag flying, remain disciplined and uphold the integrity and core values of the Service, noting that Customs will continue to protect those who serve diligently, honestly and patriotically.

He also called on the Service to sustain its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) interventions, especially in health and education, saying such projects go a long way in uplifting host communities and strengthening civil-military relations.

He prayed for officers to rise to the peak of their careers and urged them to continue to work for the betterment of the nation’s economy and facilitation of legitimate trade.

“Retirement is not separation from the Service, but transition to another phase of life and continued service to humanity,” Babandede said.

Speaking at the event, the Customs Area Controller, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, Comptroller Chidi Nwokorie, advised officers to plan early for retirement and uphold professionalism and quality leadership while in service to leave a lasting legacy.

Nwokorie thanked Almighty God for successful careers, recalling colleagues who started the journey together, some of whom have passed on, while others have retired. He stressed the need to be grateful to God and to exit honourably by choice and not by force.

He urged serving officers to respect their subordinates, embrace life after Customs, avoid fear of the unknown and never compare retirement life with Service experience.

In her remarks, the CAC, Lagos Free Trade Zone, Comptroller Hauwah Abubakar, thanked God for a successful service and prayed that life after retirement would be greater and more prosperous. She also appreciated the CGC and ACG Babandede for their exemplary mentorship.

Also speaking, Comptroller Joseph Anani of Tincan Island Port Command described Babandede as a teacher and father figure who always ensured everyone succeeded through guidance and purposeful leadership.

Comptroller Gbenga Otunla of Murtala Muhammed Area Command thanked God for the 35 years of meritorious service of his senior colleague and urged officers to remain problem-solvers, patient and relevant.

Comptroller Dr. Roland Nwankwo described him as a passionate boss who always encouraged officers to prioritize their health for optimal performance.

The ACG’s brother, Alhaji Abdullahi Babandede, said his brother never compromised in his duties, describing him as disciplined, principled and firm in upholding the ethics of the Service.

Assistant Comptroller Chioma Azasiri described him as a mentor and problem-solver who never gave up on his responsibilities and always surpassed his targets.

The Managing Director of M-Town Hotel, Malam Muhammed Maigeri, described Babandede as a brother and friend who pushes people to success regardless of qualification or background.

In a touching tribute, the wife of the celebrant, Hajia Aminah Babandede, celebrated her husband’s 35 years of dedicated service, describing him as committed, responsible and persevering through challenges with dignity and uncommon sacrifice.

She noted that retirement is not the end but the beginning of a beautiful chapter, praising him as a wonderful husband, father, friend and officer.

She prayed Almighty Allah to bless him with good health, happiness, fulfilment, reward his sacrifices abundantly and grant them many more years together to create beautiful memories in retirement, adding that the family remains proud of his legacy of integrity, service and honour to the nation.

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