NCS

By Sabiu Abdullahi

In a convention chaired by the Honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, the board of the Nigeria Customs Service confirmed the appointment of two Assistant Comptrollers General (ACGs) and approved the promotion of 2209 senior officers. 

This is contained in a statement signed by the spokesperson for the service, Abdullahi Maiwadah. 

The Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) convened its 58th regular meeting on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters. 

ACG Florence Nano Ogar-Modey and ACG Queen Ogubudu were confirmed as substantive members of the NCS Management Team during the meeting.

The comprehensive promotion list includes both General Duty (GD) and Support Staff (SS) personnel who demonstrated outstanding performance in the 2023 promotion exercise.

The breakdown of promoted officers covers various ranks, from Inspector of Customs to Customs Comptroller.

Notably, special promotions were approved for fourteen officers in recognition of their exceptional performance in various assigned responsibilities. 

Among the newly promoted comptrollers are TM Daniyan, F Fajana, N Isyaku, MV Umana, AC Nwobi, F Abdulqadir, HK Ejibunu, FM Ojiofor, IN Aliyu, MD Malah, EO Oshoba, JK Oladeji, E Luka, AP Daruaku, FM Ojeifor, IN Nwokorie, EJ Harrison, and others. 

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, extended heartfelt congratulations to the newly appointed and promoted officers.

According to Maiwadah, the comptroller urged them to redouble their efforts in fulfilling crucial roles such as revenue generation, trade facilitation, and the suppression of smuggling.

These efforts, he emphasised, are essential for enhancing the NCS’s pivotal role in bolstering Nigeria’s socio-economic well-being.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Management Quarters resonated with the joyous melodies of Christmas carols as officers and the management team came together for a heartwarming celebration.

Hosted by Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the event, themed “Dine and Grill with the CGC,” aimed to foster a sense of unity and festive spirit among the customs community. 

CGC Adeniyi, extending warm Christmas wishes, encouraged officers to embrace the true essence of the season—love and forgiveness. Beyond official duties, he emphasised the importance of coming together to relax and enjoy the company of colleagues, turning the NCS Management Quarters into a festive haven. 

The Christmas carol service was a lively affair, featuring musical performances, dance, and vibrant decorations.

The officers actively participated, reinforcing a spirit of togetherness and goodwill. CGC Adeniyi’s call to imbibe the Christmas spirit resonated, creating an atmosphere filled with laughter and joy. 

The event provided a well-deserved break for officers, offering a moment to unwind and reflect on the year’s achievements.

CGC Adeniyi expressed gratitude for their hard work and dedication, highlighting the significance of maintaining a positive work environment.

In his closing remarks, CGC Adeniyi not only thanked the officers but also urged them to carry the festive spirit into the upcoming year.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi MFR, hosted a prestigious gathering at the Management Quarters in Abuja on Tuesday, marking the culmination of 2023.

Among the distinguished guests were the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassadors of the United States and Germany, and representatives from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes, as well as the World Bank. 

The event focused on reflecting on the Customs Service’s activities throughout the year, paving the way for discussions on innovative strategies to enhance efficiency. 

In his address to the diplomats, CGC Adeniyi showed the NCS’s commitment to harnessing new technological advancements.

He unveiled plans for the extensive deployment of scanners, the implementation of data analytics, and the adoption of open-door policies to foster collaboration with stakeholders, ultimately streamlining trade in the nation. 

Highlighting the responsibility to elucidate the new developments to stakeholders, CGC Adeniyi expressed the need for massive sensitization on the recently enacted Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

He emphasised ongoing initiatives to engage Area Controllers, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the Act to augment their operational effectiveness, and characterising the new Act as ‘User Friendly.’ 

Moreover, the Customs Chief delineated the Act’s emphasis on automation processes, including the use of a single window and the authorized economy operators’ system.

He discussed the incorporation of Advanced Ruling and the expansion of scanner usage, signaling a progressive move towards modernization. 

Addressing the issue of wildlife smuggling, CGC Adeniyi reassured diplomats of his commitment to sustaining efforts against illicit wildlife trade in Nigeria.

He stressed the importance of international cooperation in customs activities and highlighted collaborative efforts with stakeholders. 

The diplomats commended the NCS’s dedication and pledged ongoing collaboration to combat wildlife trafficking and related criminal activities.

 By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, spearheaded a pivotal roundtable meeting with maritime and excise stakeholders to address challenges impacting port clearance processes nationwide. 

Held in Lagos as a continuation of the CGC’s Conference 2023, the session brought together Customs Officers, Terminal Operators, Freight Forwarders, Licensed Customs Agents, and Excise Stakeholder Representatives. 

The focus was to foster collaboration, identify obstacles, and devise time-bound solutions to enhance customs operations. CGC Adeniyi noted the need to tackle issues such as multiple alerts, CPC downtime, checkpoints, and port accessibility.

He stated, “Today’s decisions will lead to time-bound policies aimed at resolving these challenges and improving cargo clearance.” 

A dedicated panel, comprising stakeholders and Nigeria Customs Service representatives, was formed to address concerns hindering effective port operations.

The goal is to implement cumulative recommendations by the first quarter of 2024. 

Comptroller Dera Nnadi, part of the panel, urged stakeholders to optimise weekend operations and explore non-commercial barge usage.

Stakeholders expressed gratitude for the renewed focus on their concerns, with Tochukwu Ezeisi of NAGAFF stating, “Our issues are being discussed, and decisions are taken immediately.” 

Alhaji Kazeem Isa Adua from NCMDLCA commended the CGC for organising the conference, expressing optimism about a smoother and optimised clearance process.

The commitment to collaboration and timely policy implementation signals a positive step towards enhanced service delivery.