By Fred JEREMIAH, Owerri
In accordance with the strategic masterplan of the Comptroller General of Customs, CGC, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, aimed to boost revenue generation, suppress smuggling activities and create robust synergies in trade facilitation hinged on the tripod stand of Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced Comptroller Blessing Ihenacho as the new Customs Area Controller of the Imo/Abia Area Command, Owerri. She takes over from Comptroller Friday Akpan, who has officially retired from active service.
The handover ceremony took place on Wednesday, 13 August 2025, at the Command’s headquarters conference room. Comptroller Ihenacho, the 26th Area Controller of the Command, was formally introduced by the Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs Nnamdi Aligwekwe.
In his farewell remarks, Comptroller Akpan expressed gratitude to the officers and men of the Command for their unwavering support during his tenure. He urged them to extend the same level of commitment to his successor, noting that he was leaving the Service fulfilled and in good health.
In his response, on behalf of the officers and men, Deputy Comptroller of Administration, DC Kingsley Daniels, praised Comptroller Akpan’s contributions while steering the affairs of the Command and assured Comptroller Ihenacho of maximum cooperation to enable her success.
In her inaugural address, Comptroller Ihenacho, commended her predecessor for a seamless handover and wished him a fulfilling retirement. She pledged to strengthen the Command’s operations, particularly in revenue generation and the effective implementation of government fiscal policies.
Compt Iheanacho, asserted, “Our success is the CGC’s success; therefore, we cannot afford to fail the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR.”
She added, ” Officers and men should always uphold discipline, integrity, and professionalism in discharging their duties as team work us needful and key to surpass revenue targets and safeguard the Service’s reputation.”
