Work-Life Balance Gains Traction as Kano/Jigawa Customs Holds Wellness Marathon
Author: Muhammad Bashir.
Officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, were reminded that health, camaraderie and morale are as vital as enforcement duties, as the Command staged a Work-Life Balance exercise aimed at promoting well-being and strengthening team cohesion.
The exercise was led by the Acting Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Usman Adamu, on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, in line with the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, encouraging officers to maintain a healthy balance between work demands and personal wellness.
Addressing participants after the event, DC Adamu described the outing as more than a physical activity, noting that it represented an investment in both individual health and collective strength.
He said, “Our culture too often condenses our lives into ‘eat, sit and work’. That routine quietly erodes our health. This exercise is not a favour to anyone else; it is a favour to ourselves. Physical fitness sustains our capacity to serve, protects us from preventable health risks, and reinforces the discipline we demand in every operational task.”
DC Adamu noted that the strong turnout and enthusiastic participation reflected officers’ readiness to embrace a healthier lifestyle that recognises the rigours of duty without neglecting personal wellbeing.
“The NCS is not simply a workplace; it is a family. The strength of this family depends on the well-being of each individual. When we are fit, focused and connected to one another, we perform better, think more clearly, and serve with greater resilience,” he added.
The Acting Area Controller commended the Comptroller-General for reviving work-life balance initiatives, observing that such programmes had diminished over time but are now being deliberately restored to support physical fitness and mental wellbeing across the Service.
“Leadership matters. When the Comptroller-General tells us that our well-being matters, it sends a message that we are valued not just as officers, but as human beings with families, futures and responsibilities beyond the uniform,” he said.
Beyond the health benefits, DC Adamu said the exercise also provided an opportunity for interaction, teamwork and mutual encouragement among officers.
“Many of us who work in the same Command may rarely meet outside office corridors. Today we laughed, walked, challenged each other, and connected. These relationships may prove just as important as any briefing or memo. They strengthen trust, and trust makes teams unbreakable,” he said.
He applauded officers for their participation and positive spirit, disclosing that the next edition of the exercise was tentatively scheduled for two weeks, with due consideration for the approaching holy month of Ramadan.
DC Adamu encouraged officers to sustain regular physical activity and prioritise their health through simple routines such as walking, stretching, balanced nutrition and periodic medical check-ups.
“The duty we owe our nation is demanding. But we cannot give our best if we are worn down. Let today’s exercise remind us that we are stronger, healthier and more capable when we take care of ourselves and each other,” he said.
