Customs Boss, Abdullahi Voluntarily Retires

I’m not afraid, says retiring Customs boss Buhari accepts his resignation

President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted the decision of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi, to voluntarily retire from service.

Abdullahi is expected to proceed on his voluntary retirement from today.

He had earlier written a letter dated August 3 to the president in which he notified Buhari of his desire to proceed on voluntary retirement. While speaking about his retirement at another forum in Abuja yesterday, Abdullahi said he was not afraid of being probed after leaving office, considering his achievements while he held sway at the revenue generating agency.

Buhari’s approval of Abdullahi’s request was dated August 14 and personally signed by him (the president).

He thanked the NCS boss for his services to the country in the last six years.

Abdullahi’s letter was titled: ‘voluntary Retirement from the Nigeria Customs Service.’

The approval reads: “Dear, Alhaji D.I. Abdullahi. I write to acknowledge the receipt of your letter Ref. No. NCS/ ADM/HQ/P. 35802 of August 3, 2015 conveying your decision to voluntarily retire from the Nigeria Customs Service with effect from Tuesday, 18th August, 2015. “I note with appreciation your service to this nation, especially as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service in the last six (6) years.

“Accordingly, I hereby approve your voluntary retirement from the Nigeria Customs Service with effect from 18th August 2015.

“I wish you the very best in your future endeavours.

“Yours sincerely, Muhammadu Buhari.” Abdullahi had in his letter to the president thanked him for the confidence and trust reposed in him since he (Buhari) was inaugurated on May 29.

He said by August 18, he would be six years in office as the comptroller-general of the NCS.

Abdullahi recalled that on assumption of office, he articulated six-point agenda which he vigorously pursued.

He said the agenda had positively impacted on the efficiency and performance of officers of the service and had drastically changed the negative perception of the service.

The NCS listed the six-point agenda to include capacity building, introduction of e-customs, enhancing productivity through improved welfare package, moral rebirth for discipline and integrity in service, collaboration and partnering with stakeholders and international organisations, as well as fostering understanding of the Service in the eye of the general public using an intensified and a well-coordinated public relations platform.

Abdullahi claimed that while he was at the helms of affair, the revenue collection into various coffers of government increased significantly.

According to him, the service’s average monthly collection in 2009 when he took over was about N29billion, adding that the average monthly collection is currently between N90billion and N100billion.

He hinged his decision to embark on voluntary resignation on the need to allow younger people take over the mantle of leadership of the service in order to sustain and improve on his legacy.

Excerpts from the resignation letter read: “While thanking Your Excellency and indeed Nigerians for the opportunity to serve and contribute my quota to the development of our fatherland, I wish to seek approval of Your Excellency to be allowed to retire voluntarily on 18th August 2015.