In his continuous effort to trade Facilitation and maintain good working relationship with the stakeholders and the media, the Tincan command controller, Comptroller Onyeka Okechukwu Frank, had set a history by celebrating the media for their reportage, thought-provoking headlines, and consistent engagements which have helped to shape Customs operations.
Hosting the media to what is simple tagged 'Luncheon with the Media' held at the Command Headquarters, first of it's kind in the history of customs, to have an informal and engaging forum organized by a sitting CAC, welcomed a cross-section of journalists, customs officers, media executives, and stakeholders.
Giving his speech at the event, the command boss expressed gratitude for the support he has received from the media since assuming office last year.
“I am here today not to target the media but to celebrate you. Your reportage, your thought-provoking headlines, and your engagements have helped shape our actions and successes. Many of the reforms and issues we addressed stemmed directly from your feedback,” he said.
Comptroller Onyeka said he discovered several bottlenecks militating against trade facilitation such as multiple alerts and post-clearance stoppages by the compliance team, which he is proud to announce to have become history in the command.
He praised the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, for his innovation, vision, and stakeholder-centered approach, his bold leadership, his focus on home-grown solutions like B’Odogwu which have transformed the Service in terms of revenue generation, anti-smuggling, trade facilitation, public engagement, positioning Customs as truly modern and responsive.
Comptroller Onyeka, known among colleagues as the “Digital CAC,” reiterated his commitment to deepening stakeholder engagement, strengthening operational efficiency, and promoting indigenous innovation.
Speaking on B'Odogwu innovation, the project manager, B"Odogwu, Assistant Comptroller Abass Oyindamola, hinted that the platform was built to provide real-time responses to trade-related problems, noting that it is reducing delays and cutting down costs due to demurrage, and has changed the narrative that every port delay is caused by Customs.
In his words, “B’Odogwu enables faster processing, greater transparency, and full accountability. Our ICT unit is fully in charge, and our officers have embraced this digital transformation,” he confidently stated.
Also speaking at the luncheon, a veteran journalist and media elder, Elder Asubeks, lauded Comptroller Onyeka’s inspirational leadership, praised his inclusive, transparent, and problem-solving approach.
“This is a CAC that listens, acts, and leads with empathy. He brings stakeholders together and makes collaboration a core of his strategy. I have covered this beat for years and I’ve never seen anything like this,” Asubeks said.
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