Comptroller Frank Onyeka: A Customs Officer with Revered Virtue Walks Tall @ TinCan Customs
A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to take tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way, filled with aura that greatly inspires others.
Comptroller Frank O. Onyeka, Customs Area Controller, TinCan Island Command, NCS
Above leadership quotes could best describe attributes of Comptroller Frank Onyeka, the new leadership face at TinCan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), whose immense dedication and zeal to duty earned him the coveted position as the Customs Area Controller (CAC) to head the nation’s second largest Customs’ revenue earning command.
The recently promoted Comptroller of Customs is said to have earned the recent position on merit, even with his Deputy Comptroller rank as at the posting period, despite availability of full Comptroller ranked personnel on ground, largely due to his extra ordinary dedication, value addition, and on the job performance without compromise.
Compt Onyeka, CAC, TinCan command being decorated with his full Comptroller rank by CG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR recently in Abuja
His bold stance at taking certain decisions that even some top echelon would not dare is another positive trait of customs officer Frank Onyeka, who will stop at nothing no matter who’s ox is gored, to carry out his undertaken task to the fullest for the benefit of the entire service.
He has demonstrated far superior leadership attributes in several units of commands he had held sway as Officers In Charge in the last one decade, achieving huge success to support mandates of the respective commands and was appreciates not only by his command’s immediate bosses but the Abuja top echelon as well.
Compt. Frank Onyeka of Tin Can command with the CG & retired DC Balogun during the decoration
At his immediate past position at in Charge, Exit Gate, Apapa Area One Command, Nigeria Customs Service, before his transfer to head the TinCan Island Command as Area Controller, Onyeka as an Officer of Customs with sterling work principles was indeed an epitome of hard work and resourcefulness who inherently possesses rare leadership qualities that will stand the test of time.
Little wonder, his work dexterity once again earned him the revered ‘Revenue Officer of the Month’ of August Award conferred on him by the present Customs Area Comptroller in Charge of Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu who was the cynosure of all eyes over the unprecedented revenue collection feat of the command in the tune of over N2.2trillion generated in last year under his watchful eyes.
However, the all-round achievements of the command is said to be made possible with the likes of DC Frank Onyeka, and many other fine officers of the command, who are the gallant unseen hands behind the scene that are solid supporter through their commitment and dedication in performing the revenue collection ‘magic’.
It is indeed a rare occurrence for an Officer In Charge of Exit Gate, the last point of checks for exited consignments whose oversight function is to ensure total compliance of such items with trade rule before leaving the Ports, to bag such a respected recognition from the high command.
For the amiable DC Frank Onyeka, this award is a replication of the Award for ‘Value Chain Officer’ of the Month of February 2023, conferred on him last year at Onne Command where held sway DC In Charge of Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT) Gate by then Comptroller Imam Baba in appreciation of his discipline, hard work and resourcefulness in service delivery.
As an on the job upright and no-nonsense officer who never looks back or bow to retrogressive forces when he is determined to do things rightly, Onyeka had faced several bottlenecks from recalcitrant stakeholders, who see his actions as a deprivation for them to achieve their illicit act, and often times cast aspersions, among other forms of attack on his person, including frivolous petitions on his character in the course of doing the right thing, but some of these awards could however be regarded as a vindication on his part.
Despite these uncharitable hindrances, Onyeka had, with the firm backing of his bosses, continued to bulldoze his way to do a yeoman’s job to get things done rightly, and achieving maximum generation of revenue for the service, unmindful of threats from the recalcitrant stakeholders who are bent on continuing with their illicit act of shortchanging government through various nefarious antics.
Another very interesting take away fact about Onyeka’s escapades at achieving feats that often cause uneasy calm among some dishonest traders is his ability to deploy good VALUATION principles on consignments for exit. He has so far in the several departments he held sway as Officer In Charge succeeded in raising huge sums through Debit Notes (DN) raised in this regard for the service.
As a valuation maestro from his work antecedent, which started years back at TinCan Command where he held sway as Officer in Charge of Valuation Unit with colossal sums of revenue additions raised while his tenure lasted at the unit. This valuation feat is another duty addition he has deployed at subsequent positions to make the job virile.
Frank Onyeka displaying one of his awards
Comptroller Frank Onyeka is a hardworking and highly responsible officer of customs who have cut his teeth in virtually all formations of the service and leaving indelible footprints, and waxing stronger in performance, especially at most very technical positions of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
His capabilities and competences in several units and formations he held sway as Officer in Charge have endeared him to many especially top-notch officers of Abuja High Command and notable stakeholders who revered his on the work intelligence and brilliance.
Frank’s deployment to Apapa Area One Command of the service in year 2023 as Deputy Controller in Charge of Exit Gate indeed added impetus to an enhanced revenue collection exploits of the command due to his vast knowledge of the job and his enormous experience he has brought to bear at the command after a brilliant work spell at.
This is judged by his vibrant antecedence in past customs formations where he had held sway, especially in his immediate past command, Tincan Island Area Command, where he held sway in several units and assisted to sanitized operations, which resulted into massive improvement of the command’s revenue purse and leaving indelible mark that can stand the test of time.
A peep into his past records shows that his pro-activeness, actions and technical know-how has led to the plugging of several revenue loopholes, which ultimately increased the revenue profile of several units he held sway as Officer In Charge.
At his immediate past disposition as O/C in charge of Exit Gate of the foremost revenue collection command of the service, there is no gainsaying the fact that the gentle, handsome, well-loved, jovial and humane all-round customs officer, has through his exemplary performance added tremendous impetus to the present unprecedented feat recently showcased by the command.
Sanity at the unit, as another achievement of this fine officer of customs, was also beckoned at the ever busy Apapa Area One Command Exit Gate, as the hitherto often crowded office and unpalatable office environment which he inherited a wore semblance of control to allow for a working breathing space for customs operatives and genuine stakeholders.
This measure was all through his stay sustained, as Onyeka was unyielding to pressure to retract, as he affirmed that, it has come to stay for good, despite rantings from some agents who relevant authorities tagged as mostly touts. He vehemently defy all odd to resist change and was able to put up measures at ensuring operational sanity at the Exit Gate. The serene environment was however only limited to the inward premises which accommodated offices of customs officials leaving the outer space with a make shift entry manned by customs police officials who sieve entry of genuine stakeholders and visitors, which is often filled with crowded people, especially during the peak hours as the job entails.
The crowd control mechanism starts at the make shift gate of the premises where visitors and stakeholders are scrutinized and controlled to the various offices they visited with minimal number per period/time in such office, while others wait for their turn. Before his elevation to head TinCan Command, the Apapa Exit Gate working environment however experienced a sanely look with operatives heaving a sight of relieve and whished it could be sustained.
Also recalled, is one of his past duty post at PortHarcourt Area II (Onne) Command Officer in Charge of Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT) Gate, Frank Onyeka was conferred the value chain officer of the month award in recognition and appreciation of his discipline, hard work and resourcefulness in service delivery at the Command, as well as in furtherance to his unalloyed commitment, zeal and transparency in the discharge of his duties.
…The Man Frank Onyeka
Comptroller FO Onyeka holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science; a Master’s in Public Administration and has attended other training where he obtained several certifications in the Service within and outside the Country.
Comptroller FO. Onyeka has consistently demonstrated remarkable intellect and exceptional courage in every assignment he undertakes. Whether in the field or at the helm of operations, his dedication to the core mandates of the Comptroller General of Customs stands out.
He effectively carries out these duties while ensuring alignment with the global best practices. His ability to uphold high standards in the customs process showcases both his professional expertise and his commitment to improving operations within the service.
Before his present deployment as the Customs Area Controller, Tincan Island Port Area Command, Frank O Onyeka was the officer in charge of the Premier Port Gate, where he worked tirelessly with the seating Area Controller in generating the massive trillions the Command has generated.
He also served in Onne Port Area Command Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT) gate, where his uncommon intelligence also saw the FOT gate on top chart of transformational innovations, huge revenue collected and seizures made.
He was the first recipient of the valued addition officer award created by the present Assistant Comptroller General Board; ACG B Imam. Comptroller Onyeka’s enthusiasm and zeal with his professional instincts for trade facilitation, revenue generation, and anti-smuggling feats are unassuming.
With his deployment to Tincan Island Port, CAC Onyeka will usher in his years of experience and training to uphold the Comptroller General of Customs’ Policy Thrust of Collaboration, Consolidation, and Innovation. He has a unique interpersonal skill yet very strict to trade compliance and laden with innovative ideas to achieve results. His success is puzzling, a workaholic that attracts success at all levels.
In his inaugural address, Comptroller FO Onyeka, he aligned himself to the exemplary leadership qualities of the out-gone CAC, DA Nnadi mni in areas of revenue generation, anti-smuggling activities and most importantly the infrastructural transformation of the Command, however expressed his commitment to the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs and his management team.
The new CAC also emphasized that one of his principles is an all-inclusive attribute, as no man has a monopoly of knowledge. He, therefore, called on all critical stakeholders, security agencies, freight forwarders, terminal operators and the media, etc. to put all hands on deck to ensure that the achievement legacy of the command is upheld.
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