Stakeholders remember retired Abubakar Comptroller LFTZ as exemplary mother
Reportes
Lagos, Sept. 30, 2026, Stakeholders have described retired LFTZ Controller, Comptroller Hawah Abubakar, as exemplary mother and compassionate leader who combined professionalism with motherly care.
The stakeholders made the disclosure during the valedictory dinner in honour of the retired Comptroller held on Wednesday in Lagos.
The Head of Zone, Lekki Port, Mrs Dada, described Abubakar as woman of peace, natural leader, intelligent and competent officer whose experience across customs units made her leadership unique at LFTZ command.
In her goodwill message, Managing Director, LFTZ, Mrs Adesua Ladoja represented by Mrs Kareem Oladunni, said Abubakar is a mother who uplifts officers, helps officially and personally, gave command facelift, prioritised welfare and deepened partnership with stakeholders and traditional rulers.
The Managing Director, Fattotom Company, Dr Oluwasegun Afolabi, described Abubakar as respected leader and mentor of wisdom, teaching that motivation not force drives results, as she carried everyone along like her own children.
The representative of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Mr Edmund Chukwunyene, said Abubakar operated open-door policy, treated everyone as family, listened to freight forwarders and promoted trade facilitation while sustaining revenue performance at the zone.
The Commander of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Dr John Ashema, said Abubakar created democratic environment, describing her as mentor and mother in uniform with lasting impact.
President, Women in Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA), Dr Odunayo Ani, has described the retiring LFTZ Controller, Comptroller Hawah Abubakar, as an exemplary leader, trailblazer and pride of women in maritime.
Ani said Abubakar broke glass ceilings in Customs, inspiring young women with professionalism, integrity and compassion, while sustaining revenue growth, enforcement discipline and stakeholders’ confidence at Lagos Free Trade Zone.
She wished Abubakar fulfilling retirement, noting her legacy of mentorship, welfare and excellence would continue to inspire WISTA members and future female leaders in shipping, trading and logistics sector nationally.
The Acting Controller, LFTZ Oluwafemi Kukoyi described Abubakar as special woman, not woman like man but woman like woman customs, whose presence drew crowd and whose service earned national recognition.
He said Abubakar had been a role model since her early years as officer, thanked her for her mentorship on behalf of the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi.
In her appreciatory speech, the retired Comptroller Hawah Abubakar, thanked Allah for her journey from 1991 till now in the service, saying healthy family intact, successful career in spite losing colleagues along journey.
She said success at LFTZ was officers’ effort, not hers alone, noting woman leading about 200 officers requires humility, acknowledging that God placed her there.
Abubakar described herself as mother of many nations, raising children in customs who would represent service anywhere, adding that she sleeps fulfilled seeing them excel.
She noted that LFTZ had moved from eighth to third in revenue ranking across the country, crediting comptroller general of customs for the trust, stakeholders’ support, sister agencies’ collaboration and officers’ dedication for achievement.
Abubakar thanked her husband for peace of mind, family and stakeholders for their unwavering loves, promising continued bond beyond retirement, saying she remained with them in spite mixed feelings.