Ogun Customs Celebrates Festival Of Art For Economic Development, Trade Facilitation

Ogun Customs Celebrates Festival Of Art For Economic Development and Trade Facilitation

By Prince Benson Davies

The Integration Art Palace and Tour Company, in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun 1 Area Command, have disclosed that it is important to infuse and integrate the arts for economic development and deepen trade relations in and outside the country.

To that effect, they organized a Festival of Art for Economic Development programme, which lasted for five days, commencing on Saturday, February 10, 2024, and ending on Wednesday, February 14, 2024.

The event, which marks the third edition with the theme The Role of Nigeria Customs Service in Economic Development and National Security, was attended by participants from Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, and selected secondary schools in the Ipokia Local Government Area, among others.
On the first day of the ceremony, participants paid homage to the Oniko of Ikolaje Idiroko, Oba John Olakunle Ojo JP, and on the second day, Sunday, February 11, 2024, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Hammed Oloyede, took the participants on a tour of Sentry Customs House, where seized vehicles, petroleum products, and perishable items were warehoused.

Also, the destruction site for seized frozen poultry products and the circumstances surrounding the seizure of prohibited items were explicitly explained to the participants.
A symposium was held in the conference room of the command’s headquarters to mark the third day of the event, during which dignitaries in attendance included the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Ogun 1 Area Command, Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu, his management team, Director of DSS, Mr. I.K. Ikiriko, heads of other agencies, and the Deputy Mayor of Ifoyin Municipality, Igolo, in the Republic of Benin.

In his welcome address, the CAC, who commended the organizer, Dr. Bonny Botoku, for the initiative, congratulated the participants, especially the younger ones, for the opportunity to participate in the event.

He described the programme as a panacea for youth restiveness and encouraged the development of skills in the creative arts, stressing the importance of the creative arts in attracting tourists and as a viable means of livelihood. He also reassured the continuous support of the command for the sustainability of the fiesta.
Speaking, Botoku said that his passion for the arts inspired him to initiate the festival to encourage the younger generation who may be interested in it, adding that the careful selection of event dates, especially Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2024, to celebrate youth more constructively, was aimed at preventing unwanted pregnancies.

He explained his collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) due to its significant contributions to the economy and national security and appreciated the command’s support in ensuring the success of the event.
On her part, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Emmanuella Chukwu, the guest speaker at the symposium, highlighted the core functions of NCS, including revenue generation, suppression of smuggling, facilitation of lawful trade, and security of the nation’s borders.

She identified various revenues generated from import duties, excise duties, auction sales, and export proceeds as parts of the way NCS contributes to the development of our dear nation. She also emphasized NCS’s role in anti-smuggling activities and counter-terrorism efforts as a means through which it contributes to national security.
The grand finale, marking the end of the occasion, took place on February 14, 2024, at the Integration Art Palace and Tour of the Idiroko Cultural Centre, and thereafter, certificates of participation were presented to the participants by the Customs Area Controller, who was represented by Deputy Comptroller Administration, DC Charles Ogunesan.

Prizes were also awarded to the top three secondary school participants based on performance, with consolation prizes given to the others for encouragement. The art exhibition, which was officially opened by the CAC representative, continues until the end of February.