Customs’ Acting CG seeks media collaboration, partnership
Story from Haruna YUSUF
The Nigeria Customs Service and the media, the Acting Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, held a meeting with Customs Area Comptrollers in Zone ‘A’ and the Guild of Editors on Sunday, July 16th, 2023, at the Lagos Marriott Hotel.
Accompanied by Deputy Comptroller General of Customs, Hamza Gummi, and other high-ranking officials, Adeniyi emphasized the progress made by the Customs Service over the past decade. He expressed the need for support, guidance, and collaboration from the media during his tenure to further enhance their accomplishments.
Adeniyi stated, “Customs has achieved significant progress in various areas, such as ICT, human resource development, and revenue generation. In the coming years, we aim to build upon these achievements and deploy innovative solutions in areas that require improvement.”
He highlighted the importance of collaboration with the media, asserting it as a top priority for the Customs Service. Adeniyi stated, “We are committed to working closely with our media partners to provide comprehensive reports that inform Nigerians about our challenges, gaps, and efforts to improve border security and the overall well-being of Nigeria.”
Eze Anaba, the President of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, commended the appointment of Adeniyi and pledged their support. He recognized the significance of effective communication, stating, “We welcome your appointment and assure you of our cooperation. The Nigeria Customs Service will benefit greatly from positive interactions with the media. Without communication and interaction, there will be miscommunication.”
In addition, the Acting Comptroller General had a dinner with Public Relations Officers in Zone ‘A’ and maritime journalists at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja. During the gathering, Adeniyi reiterated his commitment to an open-door policy and stressed the importance of collaboration, partnership, and their invaluable role in guiding the Customs Service.
“I am here in Lagos to establish a strong presence. We recognize the significance of Lagos for Customs, and we seek your support, guidance, cooperation, and partnership as we navigate the affairs of the Nigeria Customs Service,” Adeniyi affirmed.
He further emphasized his commitment to transparency, stating, “I will keep my doors open to you. It will be an open governance system, allowing you the opportunity to contribute and to ensure the directions in which the customs would go while i am in charge”.
