The Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Labor Yusuf has commended Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar Zurmi, Customs Area Controller of Kano/Jigawa Command for his dedication to duty, especially in the fight against the smuggling of illicit drugs in Kano.
Governor Yusuf who was speaking at a reception organised by members of the business community in Kano and Jigawa States to honour Comptroller Zurmi on his recent award as Best Customs Controller of the year, said the issue of drug abuse is of utmost concern to the government and most families.
The governor who was represented by the Kano State Commissioner of Commerce, Shehu Wada Shagagi, urged Comptroller Zurmi not to allow the many achievements recorded by customs in Kano under his leadership not to go undocumented.
According Governor Yusuf, Keeping such records could serve as a source of inspirational reference to future Controllers of Customs in the state and a worthy example for younger customs officers to emulate.
The governor expressed satisfaction on the shower of encomium expressed by various stakeholders on the performance of customs in Kano State following the conferment four awards to the command at the recently held Comptroller General of Customs Conference in Abuja.
The Governor also congratulated the Zurmi family for producing such an individual that has made Kano State proud by lifting the great ideals associated with the state through his diligence and commitment to work as a customs officer
Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi announced Comptroller Abubakar Zurmi as the Best Area Controller of the Year 2025; a Chief Superintendent of Customs, Tahir Balarabe, who is the Kano /Jigawa Customs Public Relations Officer, was also awarded the plaque and certificate as Best Customs PRO for 2025.
Other awards won by the Area Command at the CGC Conference were “Best Command in Revenue Collection” and “Best Command in Community Relation” which brings the total of the awards won to 4 in number.
Also speaking at the event, Hassan Hussein, Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Customs, praised the outstanding performance of the command as outcomes of the Area Controller’s exceptional leadership.
Hussein conveyed the commendation of Hon. Leke Abejide, Chairman House of Reps Committee on Customs for the feats of increased revenue and trade facilitation in Kano, which is reputed for being center of commerce in northern Nigeria.
Alhaji Sani Utai, CEO Dangwauro Bonded Terminal who served as Chairman of the occasion, described Comptroller Zurmi’s achievements as unprecedented in the history of customs in Kano and Jigawa States.
He implored all stakeholders to build on the successes and aim higher to be ranked among the best group of business men and women in the country capable of being rated as internationally compliant.
Managing Director of Dalha Inland Dry Port, Alhaji Ahmed Rabiu, lauded Comptroller Zurmi’s feat of facilitating compliance that has not only increased government revenue but has also improved businesses and saved cost for importers, exporters, manufacturers and others within Kano and Jigawa States
He urged upcoming officers to emulate the lofty values associated with the Controller who made things easier for compliant traders
Chairman of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, Alhaji Hafiz Rilwan praised the enthusiasm and unrelenting disposition of the Area Controller to get things done in accordance with the law .
Rilwan mentioned the rise in revenue collection as a testament to improved trade in Kano and urged importers not to abandon their containers in terminals while assuring that ANLCA members are ready and willing to offer their professional services for prompt cargo clearance
Managing Director of Abbas Bonded Terminal, Alhaji Sumaila Abbas who said he has known the Controller for decades, commended his selflessness to duty. According to him, Comptroller Zurmi is ready to fully implement the law as directed by his superiors , not minding his life being in danger.
An elder brother to the Area Controller who spoke at the event, Alhaji Muhammed Dalhatu Zurmi, said the Controller has made his family proud as his great strides at work resonate fine with them at home.
According to him, the youthful Abubakar came to Kano in the quest for knowledge, joined the Nigeria Customs as a very junior officer and kept on developing himself while giving his best at work .
Alhaji Zurmi while commending his younger brother for earning a Ph.D, while serving, which was his childhood desire, also rose to become a Comptroller who has performed excellently to be celebrated.
Speaking at the event, Comptroller Zurmi expressed appreciation for the gesture of being honoured by the stakeholders who wholly on their own initiated and sponsored the ceremony in his honour
He urged the stakeholders to be compliant and vowed to remain unrelenting against smuggling even if it requires him suppressing it at the risk of his life.
While reminding them that his his retirement, which comes up soon, he warned smugglers and other economic saboteurs within the business space of Kano and Jigawa to steer clear from his area as he is ready to make arrest and effect lawful detention of such deviants even at the last minute of his service period.
The event was jointly organised by ANLCA, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Kano Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA), Exporters and others
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