Customs Zone C HQTS marks World International Customs Day in Rivers
…As ACG harps on professionalism
Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt
Customs Area 1, Zone C Headquarters, Port Harcourt has joined its counterparts all over the world to celebrate the 2023 International Customs Day in Rivers State.
Addressing officers and men during the event, the Zonal Coordinator, ACG Festus Okun thanked the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Col. Hameed Ali, Rtd. for his uncommon leadership that has repositioned the Service.
He also congratulated the officers who are the beneficiaries of the CGC good leadership for their commitment so far. He tasked them to continue to exhibit high level of professionalism in the course of their duties, stressing that hardwork pays.
Speaking on this year’s theme of the World International Customs Day, “Nurturing the Next Generation: Promoting A Culture of Knowledge Sharing and Professional Pride in Customs”ACG Okun implored officers to always exhibit high level of professionalism while discharging their duties.
He identified key functions of Customs globally and Nigeria in particular as trade facilitation, revenue generation, anti-smuggling activities, security support and collaboration with other agencies for the betterment of the country.
The ACG said to achieve the above functions, training and retraining of officers becomes crucial, thereby making the 2023 World International Customs Day’s theme apt.
Okun said for knowledge sharing to be effective, there must be mentors and committed mentees to imbibe the mentorship.
The idea, he said, is for the Service to be stronger and more productive.
In his own remarks at the event, the Area 1 Comptroller of Customs Ibrahim Muhammad regretted that some officers hoard knowledge, which he said does not do the Command any good. He said that the Nigerian Customs Service is a professional organisation, so officers must see it as such and act accordingly.
Adding his voice to the subject matter, Comptroller Medical of the Zone, K. Bello who said though the theme may look too long, but the fact remains that knowledge should not be monopolised for any reason. Knowledge, he said should be shared and transferred.
He thanked the CGC for making the programme possible.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Onne Seaport Chapter, Mr Mike Ebeatu said ANLCA is passionate about its relationship with NCS and will continue to nurture it.
The essence, he said, is for the Service to sustain its revenue generation for the growth of the country’s economy.
Ebeatu called for a change of attitude in the way of doing business by all stakeholders in the port.
He equally appealed for more vigorous partnership between NCS and other stakeholders, this, he said, will enhance productivity and make all the ports in the country functional.
In the same vein, the ANLCA Chairman, Rivers Port, Mr Jerry Opara corroborated the position of Ebeatu and lauded the NCS for a job well done.
Highlight of the event was inspection of parade by the Zonal Coordinator, ACG Okun.
