Victor Dimka: The making of a colossus

Victor Dimka: The making of a colossus

By BONIFACE KASSAM

Like a mustard seed that fell on a fertile land and sprouted to produce fruits, the life story of young Victor David Dimka was certainly akin to the biblical parable of the sower. The sequential rise to the top of this young man is a herculean task to sieve as he is determined to push all through.

Born a week after Nigeria’s Independence on October 7, 1960 to parents whose life was fully exposed to the advent of the Christian faith in Plateau Central; Victor’s journey in life started like a ray of sunlight that peeks over the cloudy horizon, penetrating the gray skyline with breathtaking colors. 

It is not out of place to say that the aura that greeted his birth was the clue behind the outcome of the name given to him by his parents, Baba David Dimka and Matwok Elizabeth David Dimka, of blessed memory. And that star has shone ever brilliantly, just like his name. The first son that was conceived in the wake of the historic victory of his father at the Federal House of Representatives elections of 12th December 1959 has truly lived up to his billing and name.

As the saying goes, the best and highest rating of any outstanding pilot is never in how well he takes off, but how perfect he landed. But in the case of Victor David Dimka, both the take-off and landing were perfectly executed to the glory of God as he rose through thick and thin to become Comptroller of Customs in Nigeria. 

Although his father distinguished himself in political leadership as an Honourable member of the Federal Parliament, Lagos in 1959 and reelected in 1964, and later was one of the ‘Fifty wise men’ that drafted the 1979 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, this young man refused to settle for this bed of roses. Instead, he courageously chose the path of struggle and hard work like any other child from day one to be what he is today.

Victor, the multiple award winner is a chip off the old block and this manifested right from his early days at Tuwan Primary School in Kabwir district of Kanke LGA in Plateau State. He was an outstanding pupil and athlete all through his school days. For his secondary school education, he started at Yakubu Gowon College Sharam, in Kanke LGA of Plateau State, but later transferred to Government Secondary School Pankshin, where he passed out with flying colours in 1979. Victor was admitted to study Political Science at the University of Jos, graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor’s Degree and proceeded for the mandatory National Youth Service (NYSC) where he served as a prolific Feature Writer with the Nigeria Herald Newspaper, Ilorin, in Kwara State. 

 Later while working, Victor in between his busy schedules, squeezed time to study and obtained a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Lagos in 1999, and a second Master’s Degree in Diplomacy and Strategic Studies from the same University in 2014. 

Victor did not rest on his oars as he expressed an undying desire for a uniform job and attempted to enroll into the Nigeria Army, but luck was not on his side. Undeterred by that development, he later got enlisted in his beloved career, the Nigeria Customs Service after three years of patient waiting. 

After the mandatory training at the Customs Training School, in Ikeja, he was commissioned as an Assistant Superintendent of Customs and posted to the notorious Idiroko Border under Ogun State Command. Serving from 1988 to 1993, he became nationally famous for his dogged fight against the smuggling of contraband goods and for his outstanding gallantry. He received many commendations from the service for his outstanding performance. He had within a short time become the nemesis of smugglers and other cross-border criminals.

Having distinguished himself, he was posted to Seme Border Command, where he again fought gallantly against Trans Border Crimes. With a reputation as ‘No Nonsense Officer and Gentleman’, he was later posted to Tin Can Island Command where he served from 1996 to 1999. 

 He also served in the Enforcement and Drug Unit from 1999-2000 and at Lilypond Area Command From 2001 to 2003. At Lilypond, he served as the Command’s Public Relations Officer, officer in charge of Clean Report of Findings (CRI)and later Personal Assistant to the Area Controller.

From 2003 to 2010, Victor Dimka, served in various capacities starting with the Enforcement and Drugs Unit in Abuja, Federal Operations Lagos, Tariff and Trade Unit Abuja, and the Officer in charge of Valuation, at Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, Fano Bonded Terminal, Apapa and Airport Commands.

This distinguished career path,  saw Victor David Dimka serving his country with pride at the Federal Operations Units, Zone ‘A’ first as a Deputy Controller, Operations and in December 2010 to 2011 as the Acting Comptroller. He later left for Institute for Security Studies Bwari, Abuja and bagged the Fellowship of the Security Institute (fsi).

 Amongst numerous courses he attended while in service were, Course on Instructions on Custom and Excise, 1998; World Trade Organization Valuation Agreement, 2004; National Course on Investigation, 2004 and Valuation Training, 2009 all at Customs Training College Ikeja. Others include Land Border Interdiction Course-International Law Enforcement Academy, Gabrone, Botswana. World Customs Organization training courses included: Leadership and Management Development. 2016; Budgeting & Financial Management- at the American University of Sharjah UAE (School of Business Administration) 2014; Introduction to Computer, Microsoft office &SharePoint: Techno Brain West Blue-2014 and Modern Customs Management Techniques 2012 in that order. 

For his excellent performance while in service, the gallant officer received numerous awards both at home and diaspora. These include Africa Merit Gold Award (African Moment Magazine), Anti-Smuggling CZAR (Crime Watch), Area Inspirational Leadership Award for Immense Contribution to Youth and National Development 2011, and Exemplary Leadership on Security (Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria) accordingly. 

In addition, he received the Award of Excellence (Global Business Eagle), Best Turn Around Area Controller by Transport  Development Group,  Commander 9 Brigade Nigeria Army (Brig-General  S.W.Muazu  Award of Excellence), Controller General of Customs Commendations for  improved Anti-Smuggle Operations, June 2011, Crime Reporters Association Of Nigeria; Exemplary  Leadership In Security Award, Fellow of the Security Institute (fsi).2012, Fellow the Institute of Chartered Economic of Nigeria, Fellow Certified Institute of Shipping, Fellow the Institute of Criminology and Penology, Fellow Nigeria Institute of Management, Paul Harris Fellow, Gold Award by first Eminent Group Board of Trustees, Membership, International Association of Chiefs of  Police, USA and National Association of Criminologists & Security Practitioners of Nigeria (Boarder Security Award).

Victor who is warm hearted has always been a champion of ploughing his hard earned resources in projects that will impact positively on the lives of the downtrodden and the upliftment of the economy of his community. Kanke Resort stands as a testimony of his believe in the rural economy of Plateau State.  He provided brand new buses to his alma mater and the National Association of Ngas Students. Similarly he built conducive accommodation facilities for students  opposite FCE Pankshin. An avid lover of sports development, he assisted long distance athletes with training facilities, feeding and transportation to sporting venues. He assisted Kabwir and Garram Communities in the development of a secondary school and town Hall respectively. He was a major contributor in the construction of the NDA Secretariat at Pankshin. He drilled and rehabilitated boreholes  in several communities.

There are many who are gainfully employed in many MDAs as a result of his intervention. Many are the beneficiaries of his assistance in defraying medical bills  and the payment of school fees. He has employed many in his farms especially those situated at Bwari Abuja and Sarkin Kudu in Taraba State. Indeed, the footprints of his philanthropist are all over the length and breadth of Nigeria.

 Victor David Dimka (DVD) is happily married  to Mrs Maureen Victor Dimka nee Sugh, and blessed with two children-Mrs. Jiritmwa Tapgun and Master Timothy Victor Dimka.