In a solemn act of remembrance, the Federal Fire Service (FFS) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) joined Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, Chairman of UBA Group, in observing a one-minute silence at exactly 12 noon today in honour of the victims of the tragic Afritower fire incident in Lagos.

The tribute took place during an official visit by the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, FCNA, ACTI, to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja. This visit, the CGF’s second to the NCS, aimed to strengthen inter-agency collaboration in safeguarding lives, property, and national assets.

During the meeting, CGF Adeyemi expressed gratitude to the NCS for its consistent support, particularly in facilitating duty-free importation of firefighting trucks, equipment, and safety gear. He praised Customs as the nation’s leading non-oil revenue generator and a key partner in national development.

Reaffirming the Federal Fire Service’s mandate to protect lives and property, Adeyemi emphasized the importance of building institutional partnerships to improve emergency response. He noted that the visit marked a significant step toward bridging a 15-year gap in inter-agency engagement.

He also highlighted the need for operational support, including fire trucks, rapid-response vehicles, and utility tools to enhance firefighting capacity. Proposals included joint safety audits of Customs facilities, deployment of fire officers to Customs buildings at no cost, and fire safety training for Customs personnel and their families.

In response, CGC Adeniyi warmly welcomed the FFS delegation and congratulated the CGF on his appointment and leadership. He acknowledged the FFS as a critical government agency whose mission aligns with the President’s agenda on public safety and emergency preparedness. The CGC reiterated Customs’ commitment to facilitating duty-free importation of firefighting assets and pledged support for operational vehicles within available resources.

He also proposed enhanced collaboration, including integrating fire safety training into Customs’ staff curriculum, conducting regular joint emergency drills, and reviewing safety protocols especially in light of the recent Afritower fire.

Both agencies agreed to formalize their partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will include joint safety audits and inspections of fire safety systems such as sprinklers, smoke detectors, and alarms across Customs facilities.

The Comptroller-General further encouraged the FFS to engage other key national agencies—including the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to advance a whole-of-government approach to public safety.

---