The Deputy Comptroller General of Customs(DCG) Musa Omale bowed out of the Service, Friday last week, in full honour and health, with the Comptroller General of Customs(CGC) Adewale Adeniyi, and members of the management team paying glowing tributes to his person, years of dedicated service, professionalism, and contributions to the Service.
Barr Dr. Omale is one customs officer who distinguished himself in many areas where many of his colleagues considered as luxury of time or dreaded. He is unassuming, intellectually sagacious with a seeming mastery in human relations. As a lawyer in the Service, he read to a Doctor of Philosophy level with legions of published books to his credit.These academic feats were not Artificial Intelligence or external hands-assisted like what obtains today.His media relations management is top-notch, a leverage he got as a former public relations officer of Seme Customs Command and perhaps the longest serving Special Assistant to the late former CGC of Customs, Alhaji Dikko Inde.
After 35 years of meritorious service,Omale’s retirement ceremony held last week at the Service Headquarters, Maitama, Abuja. The occasion brought together senior officers who reflected on the retiring officer’s career and legacy in the Service.
Speaking at the event, CGC Adeniyi said the Service’s tradition of celebrating officers at retirement provides an opportunity to share goodwill messages, offer advice, and recognise their contributions as they begin a new phase of life.
He described DCG Omale as an officer known for his love for books, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to personal development.
Reflecting on the importance of legacy in public service, Adeniyi noted that officers are remembered by the impact of their actions and conduct.
“When we are in service, we leave imprints and footprints because we never know how people will make reference to them later,” Adeniyi said.
He advised the retiring officer to exercise caution in future investments and engagements, warning against ventures that are not properly understood, while praying for good health and continued opportunities for him to contribute to national development.
DCG Timi Bomodi recalled meeting DCG Omale 35 years ago when they both arrived in Port Harcourt as attachés, describing him as an officer whose character remained consistent throughout his career.
According to Bomodi, the retiring officer distinguished himself through humility, intellect, and dependability, earning the respect of colleagues across the Service. “You have remained yourself all through. You are reliable and dependable, and your word is your bond,” Bomodi said.
Director of Legal Services, Smart Akande, also reflected on their time together in Port Harcourt, where they worked on prosecution matters.
He described Omale as articulate, diligent, and quiet, noting that his cooperation contributed significantly to the successful handling of several cases. “I will not be surprised if he becomes a professor after retirement,” Akande said.
Also, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Nafiu Isiaku commended Omale’s passion for learning, attention to detail, commitment to excellence, and willingness to mentor younger officers. They noted that despite attaining senior ranks in the Service, he remained approachable, disciplined, and dedicated to knowledge-sharing.
Responding, DCG Omale expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General, members of the management team eam, and colleagues for the honour accorded him. He described himself as a calm person who approaches life steadily and attributed his interest in academia to experiences gained during his early years in the Service.
The retired DCG also recalled representing his superior at a board meeting at his younger age, an experience he described as a defining moment in his professional journey.
Omale pledged to remain available whenever called upon to support the Service and commended the Comptroller-General of Customs for his listening leadership style.
However, the maritime media will miss DCG Omale, dearly. Despite all his avowed contributions to the Service, he remains one officer whose potentials were not tapped by a quarter. He was under-used or under-deployed for maximum service to Customs. Of course, there could be reason for this,but it is not known, MMS Plus observed.
Before his promotion to the management level, he only served as the Customs Comptroller for the Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command for just six months-January to June 2023, during which the command recorded a 25.6 per cent increase in revenue collection, hitting N2.4billion then.
DCG Omale is an illustrious indigene of Ai-Aroga, Oturkpa in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State. He is highly respected and celebrated in his home state for his professionalism and humanity.
