By Alex Akao

The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has engaged its newly promoted senior officers in the task of quality leadership dispensation for effective operations.

The move, which is seen as a significant step towards enhancing the leadership skills of the unit heads, is inline with the aspirations of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

Area Controller of the command, (CAC) Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba , during the week, welcomed the Deputy and Assistant Comptrollers to the special training programme aimed at preparing them for higher responsibilities.

In his opening remarks, Comptroller Oshoba congratulated the Officers on their promotions, emphasizing that it was a testament to their hard work and dedication to the Service.

He said that with their new roles, greater expectations from the leadership of the NCS as well as the Nigerian public must be met.

Comptroller Oshoba stressed that they must demonstrate higher levels of discipline, excellence, and accountability to justify their higher callings of duty.

“The Nigeria Customs Service is undergoing a transformation drive aimed at repositioning its operations for efficiency, transparency, and global competitiveness”, hence, Customs operations have become increasingly knowledge-driven, powered by technology and innovation designed to simplify procedures and enhance trade facilitation” he noted.

The Customs Chief cited key modernization initiatives, including the Advance Ruling System, Time Release Study, Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme, and the One Stop Shop mechanism, as examples of the Service’s commitment to reform which the newly promoted officers are expect to imbibe.

In order to effectively carry out their new responsibilities, the CAC urged the officers to familiarize themselves with these modern tools and utilize them to enhance compliance, efficiency, and risk management.

He cautioned that despite these efforts, there are still cases of non-compliance, either from ignorance or deliberate circumvention of procedures, hence the new crop of officers must be vigilant and use technology smartly for risk assessment and enforcement.

Comptroller Oshoba advised the participants to maximize the training opportunity by engaging in open discussions, exchanging ideas, and networking to strengthen teamwork and leadership skills across various commands.

The newly promoted officers, some of whom will be posted as Unit heads, will be entrusted with sensitive duties, including the custodianship of release passwords and supervision of junior officers.

To this end, Comptroller Oshoba emphasized that they must uphold the principles of justice, honesty, and transparency, which are core values of the Service.

He reiterated that capacity building remains a major priority under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

“The Customs management is committed to developing human capital as a strategic component, adding that, “an informed workforce is the foundation of sustainable reform”

Comptroller Oshoba commended the facilitators and participants, expressing confidence that the exercise would equip the Officers with the necessary skills to excel in their new roles.