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: Busayor Olowookere, Abuja

Technical Adviser Augustine Eguavoen has called up Captain Ahmed Musa, deputy captain William Ekong, midfielder Wifred Ndidi and forwards Moses Simon and Kelechi Iheanacho in a Super Eagles’ provisional list of 32 for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 play-off round against the Black Stars of Ghana.

Also called up are goalkeepers Maduka Okoye and Daniel Akpeyi, defenders Kenneth Omeruo, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Abdullahi Shehu, midfielders Oghenekaro Etebo and Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, and forwards Victor Osimhen, Odion Ighalo and Samuel Chukwueze.

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Leicester City FC of England forward Ademola Lookman, recently cleared by FIFA to switch international allegiance and former U17 World Cup star Akinkunmi Amoo are officially called for the first time, while defender Calvin Bassey and forward Emmanuel Dennis return to the fold of the three –time African champions.

2021 AFCON forwards Taiwo Awoniyi and Peter Olayinka, defender Chidozie Awaziem and long-time absentee Ogenyi Onazi are in a seven-man standby list.

The camp opens in Abuja on 21st March, with a 24 –man final list for the two big games to be released at a later date.

Nigeria take on Ghana in the 20,000 –capacity Cape Coast Sports Stadium as from 7.30pm on Friday 25th March, with the reverse leg set for the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday, 29th March as from 6pm. The winner over two legs will earn one of Africa’s five tickets to the 22nd FIFA World Cup finals, scheduled for 14th November – 18th December this year in Qatar.

FULL SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

Defenders: Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Calvin Bassey (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal)

Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Watford FC, England); Akinkunmi Amoo (FC Copenhagen, Denmark)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain); Odion Jude Ighalo (Al-Hilal FC, Saudi Arabia); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Emmanuel Dennis (Watford FC, England); Ademola Lookman (Leicester City, England)

Standby: Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin, Germany); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Peter Olayinka (SK Slavia Praha, Czech Republic); Ogenyi Onazi (Al-Adalah FC, Saudi Arabia).

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