The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has introduced a mindset and strategy that drives Public Relations Officers towards achieving significant breakthroughs in the Service.
Speaking at the just-concluded three-day 2024 Public Relations Conference held in Abuja, Adeniyi emphasized the importance of PR strategies in achieving rapid and substantial success in the Service.
Adeniyi stated that all Public Relations Officers in NCS have demonstrated productivity, discipline, commitment and professional standards with this strategy.
According to him, Public Relations has helped Customs Officers in the PR Units to reposition the Commands and make them more relevant.
“PR officers have demonstrated excellence in everything they do and must continue to command presence and recognition by striving to be the best version of themselves, hence the essence of this conference. Capacity building is not a one-off event, we know that PR is evolving in response to the evolving society and as society evolves, strategies have to evolve. I therefore implore you all to leverage on the opportunities provided by ICT, and we must continue to be strategic in our approach to communications,” he said.
He charged all officers to always align their achievements to the objectives of the President Bola Tinubu, which centered around decongesting the Ports, bringing in Single Window, and making the Ports more efficient and competitive.
“They must take responsibility for explaining all tools introduced, strategies and partnership engaged in, to all Stakeholders for proper understanding,” he added.
Adeniyi pledged to continue to support PR activities in the Service by investing more in capacity building to make jobs easier for all officers and ensure there is robust communication strategy in the PR Units to bridge any form of communication gap in the future.
In his remarks, the Public Relations Officer of the Service, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, underscored the importance of the conference saying it reflected the current position of the Service.
His words, “This conference is not merely a gathering of minds but an avenue to collectively reflect our journey, assess our present and envision our future. As we explore the chronicles of progress, we trace the historical path of our unit, acknowledging the milestone reached, the challenges overcome and the invaluable lessons learned along the way. The retrospective view is crucial as it sets the foundation for discussions on contemporary dynamics.
The current landscape of PR strategies, media relations and Communication technologies shaping the identity of the NCS today.
“I therefore implore you all to leverage on the opportunities provided by ICT, and we must continue to be strategic in our approach to communications”
Our focus will shift to the future horizon, where we will envision the roles and strategies of the PR Units in the coming years. We must embrace innovation, adaptability, and emerging trends to ensure our communication remains effective and relevant in the ever evolving global village.”
He highlighted how PR strategy has enhanced significant breakthroughs in the quest for effective communication in the Service which laid a solid foundation for the PR Units transformative journey.
To him, “Understanding the strengths and weaknesses through SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis and gathering feedback has been instrumental in improving communication strategies, our efforts to enhance media relations, establish strategic partnership and strengthen administrative efficiency have contributed to our success as a strategic unit of the Service.
“We have made remarkable success in embracing PR and digitizing data analysis to analyze trends and predict their impacts. We have successfully participated in managing significant events and also enhanced Stakeholders engagement and upheld the values of NCS and into the CGC Policy thrust of Collaboration, Consolidation and Innovation with PR strategies.”
Also speaking, Deputy Comptroller General Sulaiman Bomoi, who was delighted to be the chief host of the event which was an historical reunion of all Public Relations Officers both retired and in- Service, stressed that the conference was about bridging gaps and maintaining the thrust of the Public; managing the reputation of the Service in a complex and challenging environments.
Bomoi enjoined all participants to use the opportunity to improve on PR practice and redefine its approach in the face of new era.
“The strength of NCS lies in the PR Units, professionalism and unwavering dedication to the Service and collectively we can set a new benchmark for the PR in the Service,” he said.
On his part, the President of the National Institute of Public Relations, Ike Nneliaku, lauded the Comptroller General of Customs for setting the pace with the initiative of a three-day conference on capacity building and for showing that Public Relations is life with the essential elements of Communications he deployed since he assumed the helmsman of the Service in 2023.
The event which was fully supported by the Trade Modernization Project under the Managing Director, Zainab Umar-Ajijola was graced by prominent PR personnel of the Service, other security agencies and other notable stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a significant success in the implementation of the Authorized Economic Operator programme, which began its pilot phase on April 15, 2024.
This initiative aims to enhance trade facilitation and improve compliance in international trade.
On September 2, 2024, the Service rolled out the benefits of the AEO programme to select importers, exporters, SMEs, and logistics operators who demonstrated high levels of regulatory compliance.
In the first week of the rollout, one of the beneficiaries voluntarily disclosed an underpayment of duties due to the erroneous classification of a high-value item.
The error, identified through a self-audit, was reported to the NCS without waiting for detection by customs officials.
By taking immediate corrective action, the company avoided penalties while retaining the benefits of the AEO programme.
Speaking on this development, NCS AEO Lead, Nnenna Awa, highlighted that this act of transparency strengthened the company’s relationship with the NCS, demonstrating the importance of trust in driving compliance and building strong partnerships.
“This voluntary disclosure marks a significant milestone for the NCS, being the first formal instance of such in the agency’s history,” she stated.
According to her, voluntary disclosure allows businesses to proactively report errors related to customs activities, promoting transparency and fostering a culture of compliance.
The NCS rewards this openness with reduced inspections and expedited clearances, reinforcing the value of trust in regulatory relationships.
While the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, remains committed to upholding the highest standards as the AEO programme progresses, the CGC emphasised the need for traders to be compliant.
Also, Adeniyi on Friday decorated seven newly confirmed members of his management team with their new ranks at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Abuja, amidst calls to redouble their commitment and dedication to the success of the service.
Recall that the Nigeria Customs Service Board announced the confirmation of the new appointees on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, during its 60th Regular Meeting at the new NCS Corporate Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
While addressing the newly decorated officers shortly after the ceremony, which took place inside the CGC’s Conference Hall, the CGC congratulated them and urged them to double their devotion, determination, and loyalty to advance the Nigeria Customs Service.
According to him, their appointment and approval followed the due process of the Federal Character principles.
“Today, this promotion signifies the realisation of another milestone set by the Nigeria Customs Service. It comes at a time when we have witnessed a significant turnover in the management team, with over 10 members leaving office.
“This indicates that the Service is undergoing a transition from one generation of officers to another. To the younger generations of officers, I want to assure you that there is no cause for alarm, for a number of reasons.
“Most importantly, their appointments were based on their exemplary dedication and commitment to the service. Therefore, I encourage you to continue these virtues; exemplary conduct is expected from all of you,” he stated.
While urging them to intensify their contributions to the fight against smuggling, revenue generation, and trade facilitation, Adeniyi also enjoined the new heads of departments to ensure that they share a common vision for fulfilling their departmental mandates.
His words, “I must emphasise as usual, that your placement in the service requires your utmost discipline at all times. You must conduct yourselves in a manner that sets a good example for the officers behind you.”
Speaking on behalf of the decorated officers, DCG Adeogun Alajogun, who has been deployed to the Enforcement, Inspection, and Investigation Department, thanked the CGC for his fairness and assured him of their unwavering commitment and dedication to protecting the Service’s reputation.
“On behalf of my colleagues who have just been elevated, I want to thank God Almighty for making this day possible. Thank you to the CGC for recognising us with these appointments to our various ranks,” DCG Alajogun said.
He emphasised that, “In light of this, on behalf of myself and all the newly elevated colleagues, we pledge our undivided loyalty, unwavering commitment to duty, and unparalleled dedication to service.”
The newly decorated officers are: Deputy Comptroller Generals of Customs (DCGs) – Olaniyi Alajogun and Kikelomo Adeola, while the Assistant Comptroller Generals are Isa Umar, Tilley-Gyado, Bamidele Makinde, OA Salefu and Timi Bomodi.
