By Michael Adatang
For some time now, the Nigerian public have been unduly inundated by
the ignoble refusal of Hammed Ali, the Comptroller General of the
Nigerian Customs Service to wear the Customs' Uniform, even with the
intervention of the Senate.
Ali was a retired Nigerian Army Colonel
before being appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari on 27th August
2015. He is also the former military administrator of Kaduna State,
Nigeria from August 1966-August 1998 in the military regime of General
Sani Abacha, during which he sacked about 30,000 striking civil servants
and detained 18 Local Government Chairmen. His pedigree leaves no one
in doubt of his unimaginable disregard for public office and indeed,
national institutions.
In line with the principle of
specialisation, a retired Army Colonel shouldn't be heading the Customs
Service, except the Presidency wants to tell Nigerians that there is no
officer qualified for the position in the entire Customs Service.
Therefore, apart from being an ardent supporter of Buhari, Ali has no
business being in the Customs. This is the case of putting a square peg
in a round hole in the name of political compensation. And of course,
this is the reason behind this national embarrassment we are witnessing
today.
This fact cannot be overemphasized because it is as result of his
fanatic feeling of supremacy of the Army over the Customs that makes
him to vilify and look down on the Customs Uniform. This of course is
not enough justification because of the following reasons.
In the
first place, the mere fact that Ali accepted the appointment implied
that he had accepted to obey the code of conduct or norms governing the
Customs Service. So, even if he doesn't like Customs, he should have
used the Uniform because of the position he is occupying.
Apart
from the position he is occupying, he should have reasoned that wearing
the Uniform will protect, and indeed enhance the already tainted image
and integrity of the Customs Service in the interest of the nation.
In addition, even if Ali didn't have any iota of regard to his position
or the integrity of the Customs Service , it should have occurred to
him that wearing the uniform portrays respect for national symbols which
we all cherish as a nation, especially at this critical period where
patriotism is very vital for our continuous coexistence.
Furthermore, Hammed Ali should have shown respect to an institution of
government like the Senate, and indeed, the entire Nigerian citizens. If
a public officer like him cannot respect the Senate, one wonder how he
expects the youths to respect him.
Finally, Ali should have used
the Customs Uniform in order to set a good example to other Customs
officers, as well as the future leaders. He should have known that his
insubordination and stubbornness is not in anyway worthy of emulation.
He should have led by showing good example. All these would have
preserved his reputation, as well as save Nigeria from this national
disgrace.
On the whole, let us be optimistic that he will turn a
new leaf by appearing in Customs Uniform as he will appear before the
Senate once again by next week Wednesday.
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