[dropcap]C[/dropcap]omptroller Shoboiki Jayne .T (Mrs.) PhD, the Customs Area Controller in charge of Murtala Mohammed Airport Command, Ikeja , Lagos fits into the mold where scholars conclude that great men and women achieve success through hard work and resilience. She remains the luckiest in terms of favourable circumstances. She is one of the few officers that have served round trip the most successful commands in Nigeria. Comptroller Shoboiki is not disposed to unnecessary talks and frivolities; a no nonsense woman who had all through her leadership role in the service proved herself to be a leader that matches words with actions.
Since she was redeployed as the Customs Area Controller of Murtala Mohammed Airport Command, Ikeja, she has magically turned around the operations of the Command revenue-wise with unprecedented revenue generated since she took over. She has hitherto raised the performance bar of the unit to an exampled level in the history of the command. This is due to the fact that the refined officer is adjudged according to industry watchers to be a revenue oriented officer as well as her encomiums emanated from commands with performance based on revenue. Many senior Customs officers hailed the Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) led management’s decision of redeploying Compt. Shoboiki to the Murtala Mohammed Airport Command, Ikeja to pilot the affairs of the unit knowing fully well she is a great performer and a goal getter; bearing in mind that the command is one of the nerve centre of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Murtala Mohammed Airport Command, Ikeja , Lagos has continued to strengthen its enforcement capacity to ensure that no stone is left unturned in the rage against smuggling and revenue leakage in the Command . Comptroller Shoboiki Jayne .T (Mrs.) PhD., led proactive team has continued to clampdown on unrepentant smugglers who are working for personal gains, to the detriment of our economy. Infact hard times await recalcitrant smugglers in the Murtala Mohammed Airport,Ikeja as the Nigeria Customs Service, Area Controller has pledged her determination to leave no stone unturned in dealing decisively with them with a view to safeguarding the national economy for the wellbeing of the people.
CAC, can you Briefly tell us about profile?
I am Comptroller Shoboiki Jayne .T (Mrs.) PhD, the Customs Area Controller in charge of Murtala Mohammed Airport Command, Ikeja , Lagos. I was born in Calabar, the State capital of Cross River. I attended the Lutheran High School, Obot Idim and had my final study at Efa High School, Etuan. I possess the following degrees: LLB (Hons), from the Nigeria Law School, Diploma in Public Administration (DPA), Post Graduate Diploma in Public Admin (PGDPA), Certificate in Leadership, Policy and Strategic Studies From National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru, Jos, Certificate in non violnece, Masters in International Studies, Doctorate degree in International Relations (PhD). I joined the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in April 1989 as an Assistant Superintendent of Customs I (ASC I) and had my basic training at Customs Training College, Ikeja, Lagos. I have served in several NCS formations like Striking Officer at Tincan Island Port command. I have also worked at T and T Headquarters Abuja, and as Valuation Officer at MMA and Lilypond Commands, Customs Training College Ikeja (as a Teacher), Staff Officer in Cross Marine and Jacob Car Parks at Tincan Island Port, O/C Legal at Lagos Industrial command for three years, first female officer to Head Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) Premier Port Apapa and Tincan Port for five years which I achieved on merit, Deputy Controller(DC)Terminal Ports and Cargo and DC Terminal B2, Deputy Commandant of the Customs Training College, Ikeja.
Then in 2016, I was promoted to the rank of full Comptroller and was posted to Strategic Research and Policy Headquaters, Abuja where I became the Comptroller International Customs; dealing with WCO, WTO and other international organisations. Additionally, I am a member of Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association, a Fellow Institute of Professional Managers and Administrators, Fellow Chartered Institute of Public Management, Fellow Institute of Corporate Administrators of Nigeria and an Alumni of Universities of Jos, Calabar, Abuja and Reading United Kingdom. I am married to retired General in the Nigerian Army, Major General Joseph Shoboiki for three decade now and we are blessed with wonderful children.
CAC, Can you highlight some of your achievements since you assumed office as the Area Controller of this Command?
Well, I give credit to almighty God for the success so far. Our achievements so far were made through God’s intervention and utmost assistance from our proactive Comptroller-General, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd). Before now, there are situations where consignments leave without duty paid. But since I came on board, every consignment must pay duty. I had meetings with terminal operators to discuss on ways to stop revenue leakages; which they are in support and I tell you we are progressing on our revenue records.
I commenced aggressive approach to work when I came on board. The proactiveness of the officers and the remarkable seizures of Military hard wares, elephant tusks, wild life parts (pangolin scales) and other contraband items intercepted by this Command and trade facilitation with much efforts and emphasis on blockage of revenue leakages through 100 percent examination of cargoes have all resulted to increase in revenue generation of the command. Since I assumed office, Murtala Muhammed Customs Command has handed over 99 sacks of unprocessed Donkey skin to Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, 180 sacks of Pangolin scales and elephant tusks to the appropriate agencies. Just recently, we uncovered over N1billion items at the International Airport, Lagos, concealed with other goods by the importers, ranging from cartons of very expensive shoes, estimated at the Duty Paid Value, DPV, of N500.000 each, camera flash equipments loaded in different cartons, assorted textile materials. Other items discovered during the examination process were second-hand mobile phones, sophisticated oil-well equipment with iron accessories, eye-glasses, computer accessories, blenders in many cartons and slippers, among other items in a bid to evade payment of Customs duty. There is also seizure of 180 cartons of pharmaceutical products (Tramadol Capsules), estimated at a monetary value of $181.000 through the intelligence driven approach used by officers on duty to uncover the real contents of the item packed in cartons. I have met with the critical stakeholders and representatives of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), airline operators and charged them to be compliant and avoid false declarations/concealments; and warned that I will not take kindly to infractions in any form.
I tasked my officers to always remain disciplined and professional including all head of units/sheds. I have charged them to rise up to their responsibilities as I will not accept excuses. I told them to always be co-operate and work together as one family in order to achieve the expectations of government and ensure that Nigeria prospers economically. They already know I have no patience with lateness and absenteeism. So they have keyed in.
CAC,what is your working relationship with other federal security agencies stationed at the airport?
When I assumed office, I engaged in familiarisation tour to the security outfits operating at the airport; Nigeria Immigration Service, Airport Command, the Nigeria Air Force, the Lagos Airport Police Command, Department of State Security and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria. I let them know the need to collaborate with Customs to meet the federal government’s common goal of security and revenue generation. So we are working together as a team. We also synergize with other agencies like NAFDAC, NESREA, NDLEA. The visit became necessary because there are potential threats and loopholes in the operational system here at the airport and so the need for collaboration. Through synergy, they can be prevented and plugged for the overall interest of the nation. So we have cordial relationship with other sister agencies operating at the airport.
CAC, what can you say about your revenue drive and target?
Revenue is the key, so I don’t joke with my revenue target. My good morning is my revenue target being on my table every morning. Whenever I see it, it makes me work harder. We are striving to meet our target. We are working very hard towards that. For instance, Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) command generated N11.6bn in the first quarter of 2018 which represented 74.34 per cent of the revenue target. Also, when I resumed as CAC here in March, the command generated over 4.12bn. I have vigorously pursued an aggressive approach through resilience and discipline towards 100 percent examination of cargoes to sustain continuous increase in revenue generation at the command. So we will get there by the grace of God.
CAC ,What can you say about your CGC’s reformation of the Nigeria Customs Service?
When you look at the structure of the Service currently, you would realise that CGC Ali Hameed (rtd) is reforming Nigeria Customs to world class standard. This has shown in all aspects of our activities, on revenue generation, trade facilitation in line with global best practice and anti-smuggling. CGC Ali Hameed (rtd) has really reformed the present Nigeria Customs Service. His integrity, transparency and accountability are clearly demonstrated in his leadership approach. His “Three Rs”, representing Reform, Restructuring and Revenue generation are seen in all areas of Customs operations across the country. Another thing, which stands CGC Ali Hameed (rtd) out is the fact that he believes so much in merit. To him, things must be done the right way, and with proper approach. He has inculcated the culture of discipline in the Service. Under CGC Ali Hameed , prohibited items smuggled into the country by highly placed individuals are seized, in order to ensure sanity in the economic ambience. In terms of officer’s welfare, the CGC is doing everything possible to take care of officers. The present Customs management Board is so much focused and concerned about officer’s welfare and by the time ongoing efforts are consolidated and approved, I believe all issues of welfare would have been resolved. When you are opportuned to meet the CGC, you will know very well that he has the interest of the officers at heart. Infact, I also use this opportunity to thank CGC, Col. Hameed Ali(rtd) and the entire management team of the Service for providing necessary logistics that brought about our successes so far in the command. Their courage has continued to spur us to double our efforts in carrying out our statutory functions, without any fear of intimidation by economic saboteurs.
CAC,what is your management style like?
I carry everybody along. It is a train of which everybody is a passenger. Small, or big, junior or senior officers. Every officer contributes in one way or another to ensure that anti-smuggling activities within the command are effectively handled and efficiently dealt with. We also work as a team towards the growth and development of not only this Command, Nigeria Customs Service, but also Nigeria at large. I am here to reform the system and block all government revenue leakage in this Command. I am already aware of the Federal Government Policy and objective to provide community service to the masses and that is what we are doing here. What is paramount for government is security, both health wise, economy wise, and so on. What is important is for people to understand that the reason for the reformation is for the well being of all.
By : Grassroots Publishers
