Author: Abass Quadri.

The Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA) Apapa Command on Monday, 29 July 2024, in Lagos, held a sensitisation program on the dangers of Hepatitis, which was attended by COWA members, importers, as well as officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service.

Speaking at the event, the chairperson of the COWA Apapa chapter, Mrs Funsho Olomu, said the aim of the program “is to sensitise ourselves on what world hepatitis day is, which was yesterday, 28 July 2024 and also to know our liver status”.

“This knowledge would help us as women, wives, and even our husbands to be fit so they can do their jobs and generate the required revenue, ” she added.

Reiterating the importance of knowing one’s hepatitis status, Mrs Olomu stated that the need for health care awareness can not be overemphasised.

“It is time to take action on hepatitis. It is a slow killer. You might have it without knowing, and from what we learnt, liver cancer is real”, she emphasised.

Stakeholders appreciated COWA for the event. Mrs Rosetha Emmanuel described the program as educative. “This event is a very good one. This is because it will help us know how to take good care of ourselves.”

A free medical outreach was also conducted for attendees to check their Hepatitis status.

Ibe Wada

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Operation Whirlwind, has announced a seizure of 1,481 kegs and 20 drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), totalling 41,425 litres, in Yola, Adamawa state.

The National Coordinator, Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, during a press briefing at the Customs House in Yola on Wednesday, 24 July 2024, stated that the seizure is with nine vehicles used for transportation, with a cumulative duty paid value of forty-eight million, five hundred and forty-seven thousand, five hundred naira only(N48,547,500).

Ejibunu explained that the operation involves a strategic partnership between the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), NCS, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), aimed at combating the illegal movement of fuel across Nigeria’s borders.

“This latest achievement follows a previous announcement in May 2024, where 280,135 litres of PMS valued at over ₦195.5 million were confiscated”, he stated.

Comptroller Ejibunu emphasised that the recent seizures were made in various locations, including the Mubi-Sahuda road, Girei-Wuro Boki axis, Maiha road, and Agwuwa Tana-Bakin Kogi axis.

“The operation ensures that fuel reaches its intended retail destinations by closely monitoring the entire supply chain from loading depots to final outlets”, he noted.

Ejibunu urged smuggling cartel members to desist from illegal activities and embrace legitimate businesses.

He assured legitimate oil marketers that the campaign targets only illicit activities and does not interfere with lawful business operations.

The National Coordinator warned that the NCS will continue its rigorous efforts to combat the smuggling of Nigeria’s PMS and ensure that such activities are eradicated.

He attributed the success of the operation to the support from the Nigeria Customs Service’s management under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, and the coordinated efforts of the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command, along with other units such as FOU ‘D’, Customs Intelligence Unit, Special Intervention Squad, and various security agencies.

…Commends CGC Adeniyi’s Tremendous Leadership Skills

Author: Abra Iruoghene.

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, took the Chairman House Committee on Customs and Excise on an oversight visit to Customs Facilities at the Federal Capital Territory on Wednesday, 15 July 2024.

Represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs and Commander, Training and Doctrine Command, Gwagwalada, Suleiman Bomai, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, extended his appreciation to the House Committee on Customs and Excise for their continuous support and dedication to NCS.

Speaking further, Adeniyi disclosed the importance of collaboration between the legislative and the executive arms of government. He said, “NCS has a remarkable way of achieving its objective by equipping officers with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the economic challenges of Customs administration in the twenty-first century. The Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, is committed to providing world-class training and professional development for our personnel”.

He said, “The students of the College have witnessed firsthand education and professionalism. NCS has also made impeccable strides by enhancing their personnel capacity in securing the nation’s border, facilitating legitimate trade and generating revenue for the national economy. ”

Bashir described the Chairman’s tour of the facilities, which includes the new NCS’ Cooperate Headquarters, Customs Hospital, Karu, NCS Federal Capital Territory command, Customs Technical Hanger Services Limited, NCS Hotel and Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, as one that will be remembered and cherished by the Service.

The Commandant of the Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs Kingsley Egwuh, said 1,500 officers of junior and senior staff courses have graduated since the college’s inception. He stated the College has also produced 96 members of directing staff who attended the Senior Course and were exemplary in learning and character and were retained as lecturers in the College for two years.

He highlighted that the College has successfully posted and facilitated various programmes and workshops, which include the Time Release Study, Advance Ruling, Operation Whirlwind and many others.

Furthermore, Comptroller Olu Adebisi, the Customs Area Controller, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Area Command, during the visit, revealed that the Command had surpassed their ‘half of the year’ revenue target of 6 billion naira and was able to bring some manufacturers under excise control.

The Chairman House Committee on Customs and Excise, Hon. Leke Abejide, applauded CGC Bashir for his immense leadership skills and his achievements within a short period of time,

He said, “Customs is well organised and disciplined, the professionalism and Corporate Social Responsibility shown in the hospital is amazing. We are making provisions for Customs’ Primary Healthcare Centers to be built nationwide. Also, two years from now, NCS will have a University”. He added.