Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, Ige Olakulehin 1, has declared that the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) is an indispensable agent as Nigeria continues to seek for economic recovery.
The foremost and paramount Ibadan traditional ruler further described the NCS as a vital agent of internal revenue collection, a key essential in economic recovery.
Oba Olakulehin made the declaration when the Customs Area Controller for Oyo/Osun Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Dr. Ben Oramalugo and his team paid him a courtesy visit at the Oke Aremo Palace in Ibadan.
Olubadan spoke through the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Amidu Ajibade. He said Nigeria, as a country seeking economic recovery, cannot do without the revenue collection capacity of the NCS.
He noted that the Service has, over the years and more recently, enhanced the collection of revenue and improved prevention and suppression of smuggling in the country.
“The Nigerian Customs Service is the major revenue collecting agent for the Nigerian Government. Nigeria, as a country, cannot do without the Customs Service.
“After the money being generated through oil, the next in order is the revenue coming from the Customs. That is why our country will continue to find the customs service indispensable,” Olubadan said.
The Customs Area Controller, Oyo/Osun Area Command, Dr Oramalugo, earlier in his remark, noted that he and his team were at the Palace to solicit the support of the Olubadan towards effective service delivery in their area of jurisdiction and to seek the royal father’s blessings.
He said: “It is a great opportunity for me to visit the Olubadan. Ibadan is too big to ignore in the area of revenue generation.
“Revenue generation is one of the functions of the Nigeria Customs Service. In Oyo/ Osun Area Command, most of the revenue come from Ibadan,” he said.
As contained in a release by the media aide to the Olubadan, Olugbemiga Ayoade, others present during the visit were the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Eddy Oyewole-Foko and the Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Akeem Bolaji Adewoyin.
