CUSTOMS CG CHALLENGES JOURNALIST ON REPORTING

One day training seminar for customs correspondents at the Customs Training College, Ikeja, Lagos Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) the Comptroller General of Customs, advised journalist to consider National interest and economy stability of the country, in the course of their reporting customs stories.

The CG represented by Assistant comptroller General of Custom in Charge of Zone A, Mrs. Kaycee Ekekezie also said that journalist has a very important role to play in the nation. The seminar drew media practitioners from various parts of the country.

The Nigeria Police Force represented by DC. Frank Mba the immigration service and sister bodies were among the participants. Deputy Comptroller of Custom Mr. Joseph Attah NPRO of Customs in his opening remarks said the custom correspondent should be adequately equipped with in depth knowledge of the agency.

Also journalist reporting the bits should desist any stories that are likely to destroy the economy and national security of the nation.

Mr. Yomi Badejo Okundanya President African Public Relations Association in his presentation, enhancing National Economy and Security through responsible reportage said public relation is not a media relation. Stating further, he said the millennium nature of public relations must be interactive and sharing public relations cannot be kept on lip service rather should be part of Policy formation to achieve result and need for adequate synergies with the media. Yomi stressed that for customs to achieve responsible reportage there must be robust relationship with journalist covering the customs.

Also invited to present paper are the Comptroller Wale Adeniyi CAC, MMIA on the imperative of follow-up and investigation by journalist covering the customs, that media men should follow up and investigate properly before reporting their stories.

Engr. Wesley Edirin Jerry MD, CCO PR Nigeria also presented their paper on Customs stakeholder’s relationship through digital broadcasting and Yashua menace of social media on stakeholder relationship. Awards and certificate were presented to deserving participants.