Yemie Adeoye 18 August 2015, Sweetcrude, Lagos – Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi has voluntarily resigned from government service. President Muhammadu Buhari accepted his resignation on Monday.
The retirement will commence on Tuesday.
Dikko’s resignation had been conveyed to the president earlier in a letter dated 3rd August. Buhari’s approval of Dikko’s request was dated 14th August in an acceptance signed on 14th August.
Buhari thanked the NCS boss for his services to the county in the last six years.
The president wrote in the approval letter titled Voluntary retirement from the Nigeria Customs Service: “Dear, Alhaji D.I. Abdullahi. I write to acknowledge the receipt of your letter Ref. No. NCS/ADM/HQ/P. 35802 of 3rd August, 2015 conveying your decision to voluntarily retire from the Nigeria Customs Service with effect from Tuesday, 18th August, 2015.
“I note with appreciation your services to this nation, especially as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service in the last six (6) years.
“Accordingly, I hereby approve your voluntary retirement from the Nigeria Customs Service with effect from 18th August 2015.
“I wish you the very best in your future endeavours.
“Yours sincerely, Muhammadu Buhari.”
Dikko said the reason for his resignation was to allow younger people to come into leadership and add fresh ideas.
In the resignation letter, Dikko had thanked Buhari for allowing him serve in his administration since 29th May. He recalled that on assumption of office, he articulated six-point agenda which he vigorously pursued.
He said the agenda had positively impacted on the efficiency and performance of officers of the service and had drastically changed the negative perception of the service.
He listed the six-point agenda to include capacity building, introduction of e-Customs, enhancing productivity through improved welfare package, moral rebirth for discipline and integrity in service, collaboration and partnering with stakeholders and international organisations, as well as fostering understanding of the Service in the eye of the general public using an intensified and a well-coordinated public relations platform.
The NCS boss said under his watch, the revenue collection into various coffers of government increased drastically.
He said the Service’s average monthly collection in 2009 when he took over was about N29billion, adding that the average monthly collection is currently between N90billion and N100billion.
“While thanking Your Excellency and indeed Nigerians for the opportunity to serve and contribute my quota to the development of our fatherland, I wish to seek approval of Your Excellency to be allowed to retire voluntarily on 18th August 2015,” he said.
“This decision is taken with a view to allowing young bloods takeover the mantle of leadership of the Service in order to sustain and improve on my legacy.”
