The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Wale Adewole, has called for the support of traditional institutions in the fight against smuggling and the promotion of legitimate trade.
Adewole made the appeal during courtesy visits to the palace of the Aseyin of Iseyin, Sefiu Olawale Oyebola Adeyeri III, in Iseyin and the Soun of Ogbomosho, Ghandi Olaoye, in Ogbomosho.
The visits formed part of the command’s stakeholder engagement strategy aimed at strengthening collaboration with traditional authorities whose influence is considered critical in mobilising community support for government policies and initiatives.
Speaking during the visit to the palace of the Aseyin of Iseyin, Adewole appreciated the monarch for the warm reception and acknowledged the role of traditional institutions in maintaining peace and order within communities.
He noted that the Oyo/Osun Area Command remains committed to its core mandates of revenue generation, suppression of smuggling and facilitation of legitimate trade, while seeking the support of community leaders in sensitising residents on the negative impact of smuggling on the nation’s economy.
Responding, the Aseyin of Iseyin, commended the Customs Service for its efforts in safeguarding the nation’s economy and assured the command of the support of the traditional institution in discouraging smuggling and promoting lawful trade within the community.
Similarly, during the visit to the palace of the Soun of Ogbomosho, Adewole reiterated the command’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with traditional rulers and other stakeholders to enhance operational effectiveness.
In his remarks, the Soun of Ogbomosho described the visit as timely and commendable, assuring the Customs leadership of the support of the people of Ogbomosho in assisting the service in its efforts to combat smuggling and promote legitimate trade.