Retired Customs Officers Reunite, Honour ANLCA President, Nwokeoji During End-of-Year Party

BY FUNMI ALUKO

Retired Customs officers under the aegis of the Association of Retired Senior Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (ARSONCS), Lagos Chapter, recently celebrated its end-of-year get-together to mark the close of 2025.

The colourful and well- attended event held at the Customs Training College Ikeja, provided the retired senior officers an opportunity to reunite, celebrate, network, and catch up on friendly matters; rekindling mutual affinities and engaging in healthy embrace, smiles and laughter.  

The event drew a host of prominent retired officers, including Deputy Comptroller General (DCG) Austen Warikoru, DCG G. T. Aliu ACG Tunji Aremu, Comptroller Olu Ogunojemite, ACG Dr. Kofo Olugbesan, Comptroller Dr. Christopher Banye, Comptroller J. F Brigue, Comptroller S. A Alanamu, ACG Jejelaiye Afolayan, and Compt. Saratu Shabba, among others.

The gathering was also graced by serving officers and licensed customs agents including President and Chairman Board of Trustees (BoT) of the  Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents ( ANLCA); Mr. Emenike K. Nwokeoji  and Alhaji (Barr) Taiwo Mustapha, the former represented by BoT member, Alhaji Ademola Mumuney.

Meanwhile, the ANLCA President  alongside the ANLCA BoT Chairman, received a Plaque of Honour from ARSONCS, for their outstanding performance and contributions to the growth of the industry and humanity.

The presentation of the award which took place at the venue was also extended to the Coordinator of the South West Zone of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Assistant Comptroller General Mohammed Babandede, in addition to selected members of ARSONCS.

Speaking at the event, Zonal Coordinator in charge of Zone A, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs ACG Muhammed Babandede who represented the Comptroller General of Customs lauded the association for providing a platform for retired officers to reunite and stay connected with the Service.

He told the retirees that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) they handed over is now a technologically advanced institution.

He said, “This association is our collective association. In as much as you’ve joined the Service, definitely the finishing line is waiting for you. I want to assure you on behalf of the Comptroller General that the Customs you handed over to us is a Customs service that you should be proud of because the NCS today is number one Service when it comes to automation. All our processes, procedures are fully automated.”

Babandede charged the retired officers to take advantage of the healthcare system put in place by the Service, promising support: “We have a healthcare system; the association can reach out to the headquarters so that retirees can benefit from the healthcare system.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Lagos State Chapter Chairman of ARSONCS, DCG G.T Aliu Rtd said the end of year get together is primarily a day of thanksgiving to God, and a day to recognize outstanding personalities.

“If is with great delight that I welcome you all into this all-important social gathering. Today’s gathering is organized by the Lagos branch referred to as ARSONCS, and our members are located mainly within the southwest geo-political zone of Nigeria.

“I wish to say that this is not a gathering of speech making. Rather, it is a day of merriment and social interaction. To our members, it is also a day of thanksgiving to God, who has been so good to us in the course of the year”, he said.

The amiable DCG Aliu said it is a thing of pride to serve in the Nigeria Customs Service and thanked those still in service while urging them to continue to fly the flag; assuring them of a place at ARSONCS in due course.

“Before the stage is opened for merriment, let me quickly extend my hands of fellowship to our serving senior officers present and by extension, those working under them that as soon as they individually complete their years of service, ARSONCS is where they belong. Our arms are opened to receive them.”

DCG Aliu Rtd explained that ARSONCS is just a subset of a larger, national body known as the National Association of Retired Senior Officers of Nigeria Customs Service (NARSONCS). This is even as he urged serving officers to prepare to join ARSONCS upon retirement, emphasizing the value of staying connected.

“The joy of every officer is to retire honourably and join. But the problem we have is when you retire you forget the association. It shouldn’t be like that,” he said, calling for more commitment from retired officers to elevate the association’s profile.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Planning Committee of the 2025 End of Year Party and Awards, Elder (Compt) Olu Ogunnojemite Rtd, explained that the association which was formed between 1991 and 1993 has been nurtured through the very dedicated efforts of the founding fathers and mothers, including DCG Ogunbode and Elder, Compt. J. F Brigue Rtd.

He explained that although end of year activities which used to be a routine was put on hold due to Covid-19 until now, he expressed the hope that subsequently, the end of year party will be fully revived.

He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to hold the event, noting: “We have not been able to have this gathering since 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we are grateful to God for sharing our lives and giving us the opportunity to be here today, ”

The evening which was designated as a “day for merriment and social interaction” included a minute of silence held in honour of members that recently passed away.