Customs pledges support for Tinubu’s food security plan, vows to streamline processes (Pictures)

August 13, 2024

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Customs pledges support for Tinubu’s food security plan, vows to streamline processes (Pictures)

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s food security initiative by streamlining processes that will facilitate the swift importation of food items. This was announced by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, on Tuesday, 13 August 2024, during the official launch of a book titled “Impactful Public Relations in Customs Management” at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja.

Adeniyi emphasized the importance of adhering to standards that would reduce costs and lower consumer prices. “Our goal is to ensure that food items are imported efficiently, while maintaining the highest standards, so that costs are minimized, and food becomes more affordable for Nigerians,” Adeniyi stated.

The book launch coincided with the 2nd Economic Confidential Annual Lecture, where Adeniyi further highlighted the Customs Service’s strong commitment to addressing food security challenges through targeted measures to boost agricultural production. “In line with our earlier highlighted vast agricultural potential, the government is actively providing incentives to farmers to increase food production, among other measures,” he said.

Adeniyi also discussed the ambitious target set by the government to cultivate more than 10 million hectares of land for food production. “This initiative not only aims to boost our food security but also to leverage our abundant arable land, only 40% of which is currently cultivated,” he remarked.

In response to the immediate challenge of high food prices, Adeniyi noted the Federal Government’s decision to remove tariffs and other import duties on key staples such as rice, wheat, maize, and sorghum for six months. “These bold steps are crucial in our efforts to bring down food prices and make these essential items accessible to all Nigerians,” he added.

Adeniyi underscored the vital role of the NCS as the gatekeeper of Nigeria’s international trade, emphasizing the need to streamline processes to secure the nation’s food supply and support agricultural production. “Let me reiterate a known fact about our vast agricultural potential: Nigeria boasts 84 million hectares of arable land, of which only 40% is currently cultivated. This presents an enormous opportunity for agricultural expansion,” Adeniyi noted, referencing the 2017 Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) report on boosting agricultural productivity in Nigeria.

The CGC expressed heartfelt appreciation to Image Merchants Promotion Limited for their dedication to publishing the book, recognising it as a valuable contribution to advancing public relations within the Nigeria Customs Service. “This book is not just about public relations; it’s about the transformative leadership we are committed to within the NCS,” he said.

Earlier, Tope Fasua, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Economy in the Office of the Vice President, who represented Vice President Kashim Shettima and served as Chairman of the occasion, addressed the gathering on the theme “Leveraging Effective Communication for Revenue Generation and Economic Development.”

“The theme for today’s engagement is indeed timely and highly relevant. Leveraging effective communication for revenue generation and economic development is crucial for achieving the purposes of governance, which is economic and social development for people’s well-being,” Fasua noted.

The Vice President also commended the NCS for its role in safeguarding the nation’s borders and boosting the economy. “We all know how important the contributions of the Nigeria Customs Service are as a regulator and facilitator of international trade—and how it adds value to the country through public relations management,” he added.

On his part, Yushau Shauib, the Chief Executive Officer of Image Merchants Promotion Limited, expressed deep appreciation for CGC Adeniyi’s exceptional ability to engage and respect members of the fourth estate of the realm. “Adeniyi has consistently shown a unique ability to maintain strong relations with the media while upholding his responsibilities as the Comptroller-General of Customs,” Shauib remarked.

Shauib further explained the rationale behind publishing the book, noting that it is a tribute to Adeniyi’s transformative leadership and commitment to transparent and effective public relations within the Customs Service.

The book launch was attended by distinguished guests, including members of the NCS Management Team, key public relations stakeholders, and industry experts who shared insights on the importance of effective communication in public service.

See pictures below: