The Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has generated N10,027,580,694.63 for the federal government from January to May 2024.
Within this period, the command also seized 21 batches of prohibited items, with a total duty paid value of N35,416,140.
These items included 507 bags of foreign rice, one used vehicle, 1,055 pieces of used tyres, and 164 jerry cans of petrol, totaling 4,100 liters.
Comptroller Faith Ojeifo, the Customs Area Controller for the Kwara Area Command, disclosed this during a press briefing in Ilorin, Kwara State the state capital, on Thursday. She also highlighted the command’s activities over the last six months.
The event featured the distribution of empowerment items to members of the Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA) and the donation of relief materials to the Kwara State Ministry of Social Development for distribution to vulnerable members of society.
Ojeifo stated, “From January to May 2024, we collected and remitted a total sum of N10,027,580,694.63. Compared to the same period in 2023, this represents a 40.41% increase, surpassing last year’s collection by N2,885,779,644.03.”
She added, “During this period, I restructured my operation teams, resulting in 21 seizures of prohibited items, including 507 bags of foreign rice, one used vehicle, 1,055 pieces of used tyres, and 164 jerry cans of PMS (4,100 liters). The total duty paid value is N35,416,140.”
Regarding the donation of relief materials, Ojeifo said it symbolized the Comptroller General of Customs’ commitment to caring for those in need.
On empowering COWA members, she remarked, “We recognize that women are the pillars of our families, communities, and economies. They nurture, educate, and inspire future generations. While we are away protecting the nation’s borders, they take care of our children and homes. The empowerment program aims to keep them busy, self-reliant, and productive, reducing the burden on their husbands.”
After extensive training in various skills such as baking, cosmetics, and sewing, Ojeifo announced, “Today, under my leadership, we are empowering about 67 wives and widows of Customs officers with sewing machines, baking ovens, and makeup kits.”
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