By Helen Udo.
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has inducted 70 Public Relations officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), marking the Service’s first mass induction into the Institute since 2013.
The ceremony, held at the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, underscores the Service’s commitment to strengthening strategic communication and building a professional public relations workforce.
Speaking at the event, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the induction as a strategic investment in the future of the Service’s communication system.
He said professional communicators remain essential to projecting the achievements and reforms of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Adeniyi noted that the Customs Service’s recognition as one of Nigeria’s best performing government agencies in Ease of Doing Business was driven by deliberate reforms, adding that such successes require skilled communication professionals to effectively engage stakeholders and the public.
He urged the newly inducted officers to remain proactive in combating misinformation, managing public perception and promoting the Service’s activities, particularly as Customs continues its transition to a technology-driven administration.
The Comptroller-General also disclosed that the Service’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, Customs Cares, is expected to receive recognition at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.
He described the initiative as a legacy project whose impact should be sustained through ethical and strategic communication.
President and Chairman of the NIPR Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for investing in professionalism.
He said the Service has grown into a respected national institution through reforms, corporate excellence and its increasing influence within the global Customs community.
Former National Public Relations Officer of the Service, retired Comptroller Joseph Attah, advised the newly inducted officers to uphold the ethics of the profession by ensuring truthfulness, accuracy and responsibility in their communication. He also encouraged them to pursue continuous professional development and strengthen their crisis communication skills.
In his welcome address, National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Aliyu Maiwada, attributed the achievement to the unwavering support of Comptroller General Adeniyi and the contributions of former Customs spokespersons.
The induction of the 70 officers, he said, reinforces the Service’s reform agenda and its commitment to institutionalising excellence in strategic communication.
