By Odie Ramon.
The Interim Administrator the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Maj-Gen Barry Tariye Ndiomu (rtd) has again convinced the Nigeria Customs and Excise Services on the need to recruit graduate ex-agitators into its officers’ corp.
The Interim Administrator made this request during a courtesy visit to the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs and Excise, Col Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd) at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
Gen Ndiomu explained that some of the ex-agitators are very brilliant persons with either first or second class upper degree certificates in various fields of study.
He added that these young men and women are acutely disadvantaged because of the peculiar environmental challenges they are exposed to in the creeks.
He stated further that the lack of Internet facilities in the rural areas of the Niger Delta region is responsible for their inability to access information on recruitment exercises to the armed and civil agencies.
He noted that the ex-agitators are very disciplined and hardworking, hence they will be very productive as service men and women.
Gen. Ndiomu went further to inform his host that the men and women he is recommending for recruitment into the Customs are patriotic and highly self motivated therefore, they shall not betray the confidence reposed on them.
In his response, Col Hameed Ali stated that the Customs will be fair to all irrespective of state of origin.
He however said that the body is ready to partner with the PAP in future recruitment exercises hopefully before the end of this administration.
“Even though, we may not grant the South South any special concessions, efforts will be made to ensure the quotas allocated to each state is filled in addition to the mandatory 4 persons per local government model of recruitment already entrenched in the system,” he revealed.
Hameed Ali promised that the agency will, as usual be fair, just and equitable to all. Hear him:
“We are always transparent in our activities so as to give equal opportunities to those who merit the chance to be engaged.”
He again, assured the Interim Administrator that the agency is willing and ready to assist with security services as its marine units are located in all the Niger Delta states.
He ended by saying: “as my younger brother, colleague and friend, I wish you success in this new assignment because I know it is not easy working people in civil space, some timesyou need to overlook certain imperatives for the benefit of the overall success of the programne.”
“But bear in mind that your success is my success. This is a call to serve your people and your country so serve with all diligence as we did in the military. Be a good ambassador of the military from where we all grew to the pinnacle of our profession.”
