By Helen Udo,Outlook Media ABUJA.
The Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada, on Monday, December 16, 2024, held a graduation ceremony for 100 officers who completed Senior Course 11 and Junior Course 20. The event was attended by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, and the Chairman of the House Committee on Customs and Excise, Hon. Leke Abejide, as the Special Guest of Honour. Both dignitaries, in their addresses, emphasised the crucial role of professionalism in effectively discharging the duties of a customs officer and contributing to national development.
In his remarks, CGC Adeniyi commended the graduates for their commitment throughout the six-month training, urging them to uphold professionalism, discipline, and the core values of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). He highlighted the importance of utilising their newly acquired skills to strengthen border security, combat smuggling, and enhance revenue generation.
Hon. Abejide congratulated the officers on completing the demanding training programme, describing it as the foundation for the professionalism required to execute their duties effectively. He encouraged them to adhere to the recently enacted Customs Act 2023 and emphasised the need for continuous learning and dedication to their roles.
The Commandant of the College, Acting Assistant Comptroller-General (Ag. ACG) Oluyomi Adebakin, conferred the titles of Pass Senior Course (PSC) and Pass Junior Staff Course (PJSC) on the graduates. She commended their resilience and urged them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, leadership, and discipline as they returned to their respective postings.
One of the graduands, Chief Superintendent of Customs Abdullahi Ibrahim, praised the Service for its foresight in prioritising capacity building. According to him, “Discipline, harmonisation of customs procedures—the way we do things differently—and the ability to work under pressure are some of the cardinal lessons taught in the college.” He thanked CGC Adeniyi and his management team, the former Commandant, ACG Kingsley Egwu, and the current Commandant, Ag. ACG Oluyomi Adebakin, and all the directing staff of the college for the knowledge imparted to him and his colleagues.
The ceremony was preceded by a regimental dinner on December 12, 2024, a longstanding tradition of the College. During the dinner, CGC Adeniyi underscored the importance of discipline, camaraderie, and teamwork, encouraging the graduates to apply these values in their service to the nation.
The event reinforced the Nigeria Customs Service’s dedication to training and developing officers to meet the evolving demands of border security and revenue generation.
