Author: Ruth Akata.

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adeniyi, had on Monday, 27 May 2024, received in audience the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) led by Habu Gumel at the service’s Headquarters in Abuja.

According to Gumel, the meeting with the CGC aimed at portraying opportunities and scholarships for young athletes to showcase their skills and talents.

The CGC, while addressing the delegation from the Nigeria Olympic Committee, recognises the importance and worth of the committee and its role in promoting the Olympic spirit both nationally and internationally. He further acknowledged their contributions to fostering a collaborative and supportive sports community.

Customs Boss emphasised Nigeria Customs Service as an organisation that takes sports very seriously because of the values it instils, particularly self-discipline, saying, “Sports can serve as a powerful tool for promoting discipline and teamwork, essential qualities for success in any organisation, especially in the paramilitary”.

He added that fitness is paramount, not only in sports but also in paramilitary organisations like the NCS. “Being physically fit enhances performance, resilience, and overall health, which are all crucial for carrying out duties effectively. It is not difficult for service members to identify as members of the sports fraternity in different forms”.

“As a responsive organisation, we believe that sports management is about talent management, identifying talents, nurturing them, giving them the right exposure because they do not only represent and win but also bring values to the community that produces them”, he added.

Speaking earlier, the NOC President, Habu Gumel, expressed his gratitude, counted it a great privilege to be part of the delegation and applauded the NCS’s commitment to supporting and collaborating with the international Olympic community to ensure that talents are identified in Nigeria, qualified persons are being prepared, trained and pushed on the global grounds.

The NOC boss said, “The National Olympic Committee for Nigeria is responsible for coordinating and supporting Nigerian competitors in the Olympic Games. It is also the body responsible for Nigeria’s representation at the Commonwealth Games.”

…Urges Parents to Protect Kids from Dangers of Social Media

Author: Muhammad Bashir.

The National President of the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA) and wife of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mrs Kikelomo Adewale Adeniyi, on Monday, 27 May 2024, in Abuja hosted over 200 children to a party to mark the 2024 Children’s Day celebration.

Speaking to newsmen at the Corporate Headquarters of COWA in Abuja, Mrs Adeniyi revealed that the occasion was aimed at setting a lifetime agenda that will guide the children in the future, adding, “As mothers, it is our duty to nurture our children and pray for them to succeed in life.”

She said, “You can see, it is a beautiful day; it’s the Children’s Day, and COWA is organising this event to celebrate the day with the children because they are special to us – and we are concerned about their future.

The COWA National President, who expressed confidence in the ability of Nigerian children to excel and become good ambassadors of Nigeria in the future, urged them to heed what their parents and teachers teach them and to avoid using social media platforms negatively.

Speaking about this year’s theme: “Protecting the Nigerian Child from the Dangers of Online Technology”, Mrs Adeniyi said, “At COWA, we believe that it is our responsibility to speak to the minds of our children to protect them and educate them to understand the dangers of online stuff.”

The National President also urged parents and guardians to be extra vigilant about their children’s activities at home and to watch how they operate online technological gadgets “because there are so many people on social media; thus, we all must be watchful towards what our children are doing.” She added.

Mrs Adeniyi, who emphasised the significance of raising children with the awareness that they represent their families and the larger community, said, “In my opinion, children who are within the age of 8–16 must not be allowed to use social media platforms.”

She also used the occasion to urge the Children to be obedient to their parents and remain disciplined, adding that “Discipline is the key to achieving greatness in life and that COWA will continue to support them.”

Author: Folusho Adeogun.

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi, on Thursday, 22 May 2024, in Abuja, inaugurates a workshop for a newly formed tactical team, Operation Whirlwind, aimed at combating the smuggling of Petroleum Products to the neighbouring countries.

In his opening remarks, CGC Adeniyi emphasised the crucial role the team will play in protecting the nation’s economy from the adverse effects of smuggling petroleum products. “Economic saboteurs must be brought to justice,” he declared. “Over the years, we have rebuilt the service to an enviable height, our revenue is increasing, and our targets have also increased. However, if we are not significantly impacting the Nigerian economy, then we must do better.”

The workshop, held at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), is designed to equip the Operation Whirlwind team with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively curb smuggling, particularly of petroleum products diverted to neighbouring countries.

CGC Adeniyi highlighted the significance of the workshop and the strategic importance of the new operation. “This is not a task force or the setting up of checkpoints,” he clarified. “This is an intelligence-driven operation that will support the political will at the highest level. Our dedication and loyalty must not be compromised. There will be serious consequences against whoever acts against this mission. There is zero tolerance for sabotage.”

Adeniyi stressed the need for collaboration and unity among the officers. “You were selected because you can do the job. Your coordinator’s record is impeccable, and your assignment can’t succeed without you working as a team. You are to complement the existing structure. You are not going as competitors; you are going to fight people sabotaging our efforts.”

The Director of Legal Services is scheduled to educate the team on the proper procedures for filing seizures, ensuring that all legal aspects of their operations are handled correctly.

The inauguration of Operation Whirlwind marks a significant step in Nigeria’s fight against smuggling and economic sabotage. As the team prepares to embark on their mission, the Comptroller-General of Customs asserts that the expectation is clear: to protect Nigeria’s economic interests with unwavering dedication and integrity.