Esther Oritse
Lagos — In a bid to enhance the operational and leadership skills of its officers. the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has convened a leadership retreat for its recently promoted Customs Comptrollers for effective service delivery.
Speaking at retreat, the Controller General of Customs Mr. Adewale Adeniyi said that reiterated the importance of collaboration, consolidation, and innovation within the Service
Adeniyi urged the newly promoted Comptrollers to build strong relationships with stakeholders and embrace technological advancements to enhance operational efficiency.
The retreat, according to Adeniyi aims to equip the new Comptrollers with the necessary leadership skills to effectively manage their respective commands and contribute to the Service’s overall mission of facilitating trade and ensuring national security.
Adeniyi, whose presentation titled ‘The Strategic Environment and Effective Service Delivery in the Nigeria Customs Service.’ explained that their new rank comes with higher responsibilities stressing that Comptrollers must see themselves as key decision-makers responsible for driving policy implementation at various command levels.
He said: “You have moved to this particular stage in service—more or less, you are now operating at the management level. For all you know, this is the last promotable rank you get, and because we interact with other members of society, you must know your roles at that level.
“You have to be interested in the welfare of your staff members. You also have a duty to protect the interests and dignity of the Service. In addition, you must prioritise continuous training and capacity-building programmes for officers and men under your command.”
Adeniyi charged the newly promoted Comptrollers to take a keen interest in the welfare of their subordinates, emphasising that leadership requires technical expertise and a deep sense of responsibility toward their officers.
He further urged them to uphold the integrity of the Service by protecting its interests and ensuring that their decisions align with Customs’ mandate.
Similarly, the Commander of TRADOC, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs (DCG) Sulaiman Chiroma, in his remarks highlighted the significance of the retreat in shaping the leadership abilities of the newly promoted officers.
Chiroma commended the leadership of the Customs Service for facilitating the training, describing it as a strategic investment in the future of the Service.
Chiroma:“This retreat is designed to sharpen your leadership skills and enhance your ability to navigate the complexities of modern Customs operations. As Comptrollers, you are pivotal in promoting trade facilitation, revenue generation, and economic growth. This training will give you the tools to effectively meet those responsibilities.”
Meanwhile, the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, also took the newly promoted officers on Stakeholder Management, Media Relations, and Employee Engagement. Maiwada explained the importance of effective communication in fostering strong relationships with external and internal stakeholders.
He i urged the Comptrollers to cultivate a proactive approach in dealing with the media and the public, ensuring that information about Customs activities is communicated clearly and accurately.
