Author: Folusho Adeogun.

The Board of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation paid a courtesy visit to the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, on January 16, 2024, expressing gratitude for his valuable contributions as an astute Board member.

During the visit, Daniel Igali, President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, congratulated the CGC on his appointment and conveyed the federation’s appreciation for his active role as a board member.

The President also expressed the Wrestling Federation’s gratitude to the CGC for his long-standing association with the board since his tenure as the Commandant Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada.

The CGC, in response, thanked the Wrestling Federation for the honor and appreciation. He reminisced about his longstanding involvement with the board and assured the Federation of the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to promoting activities related to wrestling and other sports within the service.

The CGC pledged to sustain ongoing support to the board, emphasizing that this commitment stems from his role as a representative of the service as well as a member of the Wrestling board. He highlighted Customs’ readiness to expose officers to training and sporting activities, fostering collaboration with the Wrestling Federation through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of the Service.

The visit underscored the collaborative spirit between the Nigeria Customs Service and sports federations, reflecting a shared commitment to sports development in the country.

…Inspects Ongoing Construction Projects Along Abuja Airport Road

Author: Muhammad Bashir.

In a remarkable display of commitment to both personal well-being and the success of the Nigeria Customs Service, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR undertook a 6.6-kilometer ‘Walk Life Balance’ at the iconic Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on Saturday morning of 6 January 2024.

This fitness initiative, a recurrent practice for the CGC, underscores Adeniyi’s dedication to harmonizing the demands of a rigorous customs profession with the imperative of maintaining physical and mental health.

In an exclusive interview after completing the refreshing walk, CGC Adeniyi highlighted the importance of such exercises for himself and his officers, acknowledging the strenuous nature of their duties, particularly in bustling urban centers.

“Every weekend that I am in Abuja, we try to make it count that we really want to achieve a balance between the rigorous demands of our work and the need to stay fit to stay healthy,” shared CGC Adeniyi.

He further emphasized the necessity of integrating regular physical activities into the lives of customs officers, acknowledging the daily challenges they face, including traffic congestion and family issues.

“We have to keep ourselves in a very high level of mental physical fitness. We really have to motivate ourselves,” he added.

Drawing a parallel between the distance covered during the walk and the ambitious revenue targets set for 2024, CGC Adeniyi expressed confidence in the Service’s ability to achieve its financial goals.

“If you compare the distance of 6.6 kilometers that we covered this morning with the figure of revenue which we want to generate in 2024 – and put trillion Naira behind that figure, then it means we have achieved our revenue targets for 2024.”

CGC Adeniyi’s unwavering commitment to fostering a healthy work-life balance not only exemplifies his leadership but also sets a precedent for a thriving and resilient Nigeria Customs Service in the year 2024.

Similarly, in a stride towards prioritizing the well-being of the officers and men of the Service, the CGC has affirmed his commitment to enhance their welfare through a comprehensive infrastructure initiative.

This ambitious project, located close to Namadi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, is characterized by residential buildings, offices, schools, worship centers, officers’ mess, and a shopping mall, and is strategically designed to accommodate over 2500 officers working in Abuja.

Speaking on the project, CGC Adeniyi stated, “Our officers dedicate themselves tirelessly to their duties, and it is our responsibility to reciprocate their dedication by ensuring they have not just adequate but befitting housing and essential social amenities. This initiative is a testament to our commitment to their well-being.”

Speaking further, the CGC noted that the multifaceted project aligns with his broader agenda to modernize and improve the overall working conditions within the Nigeria Customs Service.

The CGC noted that the inclusion of educational facilities, worship centers, and recreational spaces reflects a holistic approach to fostering a supportive community for customs officers and their families.

According to him, as the project takes shape, it signifies a positive step towards elevating the living standards of those serving on the frontlines of Customs operations.

Author: Abiodun Mohammed, Abuja

As part of efforts to nurture fledgling footballers to become future champions, the management of H-Ents FC has put measures in place to ensure the smooth commencement of activities on May 6th, 2022.

In the build up to the academy’s take off in Osogbo, Osun State, a total of 37 players were selected after undergoing a rigorous screening exercise under the supervision of the academy coaches led by Coach Lawal Abiola.

The players who also had to convince the coaches by expressing their soccer artistries in a youth football tournament tagged 2022 H-Ents Community Shield Cup consist of 5 goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 13 midfielders and 9 forwards.

The selected players are therefore expected to hit the ground running and form the core of the Academy’s first team, H-Ents FC.

More players are expected to subsequently attend the screening exercises of the team which targets players in the U-13 to U-15 and U-15 to U-20 categories.

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The successful ones among the new set of players will form the B-team while they jostle for places in the first team.

While speaking ahead of H-Ents Academy’s kickoff in May, Chief Executive Officer of the team, Mrs Idayat Ogunlade said the coaches have done a meticulous job by identifying the right talents from the pool of players that attended the screening, she therefore urged the successful candidates to maximise their potentials through the veritable platform they have at their disposal.

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