CGC Adeniyi Celebrates Outstanding Customs Officers at Excellence Awards Ceremony

CGC Adeniyi Celebrates Outstanding Customs Officers at Excellence Awards Ceremony

By prince Benson Davies

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on Friday, November 2024 hosted the 2024 CGC Excellence Awards Night in Abuja, celebrating outstanding achievements across various customs commands. The event recognized exceptional leadership, revenue generation, anti-smuggling efforts, and workplace transformation

The ceremony, held in Abuja, brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the National Assembly, and law enforcement agencies. Among the dignitaries were the Representative of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, who doubles as the Chairman Nigeria Customs Service Board, Mr. Olawale Edun; Senator Isah Jibril, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs; Hon. Leke Abejide, Chairman House Committee on Customs and Excise; and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, who commended the NCS critical role in enhancing national security, trade facilitation, and revenue generation.

At the event, CGC Adeniyi highlighted the significance of celebrating excellence within the service: “This strategic shift springs from our belief that positive reinforcement nurtures a more dynamic, motivated, and high-performing workforce.” He added that the awards represent a new direction for the service, moving away from more emphasis on punitive measures to rewarding exceptional contributions.

The CGC acknowledged the challenges faced in 2024, including a 15% revenue deficit from 2023, but emphasised the service’s determination to overcome setbacks and achieve its goals. He called on officers to remain united and uphold the values of integrity, professionalism, and humanity in serving the nation.

Ali Muhammad, Director of Home Finance at the Ministry of Finance, who represented the Honourable Minister, praised CGC Adeniyi’s leadership, noting that recognising excellence motivates officers and enhances productivity. Similarly, IGP Egbetokun lauded the collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the NCS, describing it as a cornerstone of national security efforts.

Among the awards recipients was Assistant Superintendent of Customs, Folusho Adeogun, Liaison Officer, Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network (NCBN). The awards ceremony reinforced the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and professionalism, inspiring officers to continue serving the nation with dedication and pride.