By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin has said that the Nigeria Customs Service is a vital and indispensable inland revenue collection agent especially as the nation treads the path to economic recovery.
Oba Olakulehin spoke on Thursday while receiving the Customs Area Controller for Oyo / Osun Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Dr. Ben Oramalugo and his team during a courtesy visit to the monarch at the Oke Aremo palace in Ibadan.
Speaking through the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Amidu Ajibade, the Olubadan said, Nigeria as a country seeking economic recovery cannot do without the revenue collection capacity of the Nigeria Customs Service.
He noted that the Customs Service has over the years and more recently enhanced the collection of revenue and improved prevention and suppression of smuggling in the nation.
He said, “Nigeria Customs 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.”
The Customs Area Controller, Oyo / Osun Area Command, Dr. Ben Oramalugo earlier in his remark, noted that he and his team were in the palace in order 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.
At the event were the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Eddy Oyewole- Foko, Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Amidu Ajibade and the Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Akeem Bolaji Adewoyin.
