NDLEA: Customs, NPA, Others Celebrates Gadzama as he Bows out of Apapa Command
From left: Apapa Area Controller of Nigeria Customs Service, Compt Yusuf Malanta, Outgoing Commander of NDLEA Apapa command, Mr Samuel Gadzama and NPA Lagos Port Manager ,Mrs Bola Funmilayo Olotu at the send forth party organised for Gadzama on Thursday
By DAPO OLAWUNI
Amidst encomiums, pomp and pageantry, maritime stakeholders operating at the Apapa port on Thursday gathered to hold a sent forth party for Mr Samuel Gadzama, Apapa Area Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
Gadzama was recently transferred out of the command, while he is now succeeded by Mr Inalegwu Ameh.
Speaking at the sent forth party in honor of Samuel Gadzama, Lagos Port Manager of Nigerian Ports Authority, Mrs Bola Olotu described the NDLEA Commander as a patriotic Nigerian who has contributed so much in cleaning the port from illicit importations.
According to Mrs Olotu “There are patriotic Nigerians and you are one of them, the reality about us is that people often times are negative, but there are individuals in agencies and organisations who are putting in their best”
“As you are going, keep doing what you know how to, your best is enough, just keep giving us your best, I am sure that where you are going, you will surely do better than what you meet on ground.
“It is not easy to come into the port terrain and leave unblemished, whoever comes to Apapa and operates successfully, you are topmost on the list of whatever you are doing”
Also speaking at the event, Customs Area Controller in charge of Apapa Premier Command, Compt Yusuf Malanta described the outgoing Samuel Gadzama as a friend and a fine anti-narcotic officer who would be missed greatly.
According to him, Gadzama has promoted synergy which is now being enjoyed between NDLEA, Customs, NPA and other relevant government agencies working at the Apapa seaport.
“He is not just exiting Apapa, but going to a higher position, he has done so much in Apapa command, we synergised, we made meaningful seizures, we share meaningful intelligence, we relate very well and that is how it is supposed to be
“Gadzama is a prime officer, he is humble, down to earth, he is intelligent, he collaborates, he consults, I wish I am like him” Compt Malanta stated
The Customs Area Controller however promised to extend more corporation to the incoming Commander Inalegwu Ameh in area of intelligence sharing and synergy.
“The incoming commander is stepping into a very big shoe, but I will help you with the lace and ultimately give you support, there is nowhere synergy is working better than Apapa port.
“With what Commader Gadzama has left behind, you don’t have any problems, you can auto pilot the process, and everything would be done smoothly. I urge you to continue from where you stop.
“I wish Gadzama well in his future endeavour” Malanta stated
The incoming Commander, Inalegwu Ameh in his speech said that, this would not be the first time he is taking over a particular post or seat from Gadzama.
“Everywhere he served, he has ways made a mark. I am privileged to step into his shoes, I am privileged also to have been elevated from the headquarters.
“This is not the first time I am stepping into his shoes. Anyway he has worked , people keep asking after Mr Gadzama, this is a lesson to all of us that wherever you find yourself, try and make an impact, the people left behind must speak good about you and that is why we are here today
“He has laid a solid foundation for synergy in the interest of the nation.
I don’t have any doubts or fears about where you are going” Ameh said
Responding, Commander Samuel Gadzama expressed his excitement and commended all the stakeholders for coming out to honor him.
“I am happy, excited and overwhelmed, this is an honour that makes me feel appreciated, it makes me feel like somebody who graduated university with a first class degree.
I feel that I have left Apapa far better than when I came.
“Synergy was a major issue they were struggling with when I took over at Apapa, and to the glory of God, we have improved tremendously today” he said
The NDLEA boss commended the officers of the Apapa Command, saying that “I would not be here celebrating success without them, I want to thank all the officers for following me doggedly even when you are not sure where I was going ”
“Government offices and positions are transient, don’t hide things from your subordinates, groom them, such that when you are not around, nothing would be missing” he said.
