Adeniyi Adds Colours To Officers Course 16 Graduation Ceremony

BY FUNMI ALUKO

The graduation ceremony of 50 Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service in the Junior Course 16 received an unusual glamour as the Acting Customs Comptroller General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR graced the occasion, weekend.

According to the Customs National Public Relations Officer, Maiwada Aliyu, the Customs boss who attended the ceremony as Special Guest of Honour raised the morale of the graduands as the CG felicitated them on the accomplishment, even as he urged them to translate knowledge acquired in the course of the training into operational values.

The statement by the customs spokes person reads, “In its unwavering efforts to refine the work efficiency of the Officers and Men of the Nigeria Customs Service through training and re-training, the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, on 18 August 2023 in Gwagwalada Abuja, attained another breakthrough, after the college graduates 50 Officers of Junior Course 16.

“The graduation ceremony, which took place at the College’s famous Conference Theater, Ahmed Makarfi Hall, was graced by the Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Ag. CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR,  as Special Guest of Honour.”

The stamen adds that while addressing the graduands, Adeniyi  felicitated and expressed his commitment towards enhancing the professionalism of Customs Officers through training and capacity building.

The CGC was quoted as saying “I congratulate you for attaining this level of finishing your course, having shown your commitment and competence in dealing with Customs rules. I hereby urge you to make good use of what you have been taught and continue to be good ambassadors of the Service as you leave this college.”

The CGC Adeniyi addressing the graduands and officers

He also urged them to maintain good relationships with members of their host communities while contributing to revenue generation and enhancing border security, in addition to tasking the graduands to take the knowledge and skills they gained in the college with high esteem.

The statement indicated that the Commandant of the College, ACG Kingsley Chukwu Egwu, addressing the graduands earlier tasked them to put to proper use all they have learned during their training at the college, as the country awaits their positive contributions in the area of suppressing smuggling, generating revenue as well as facilitation of legitimate trade.

“It is with great honour and privilege to be part of this graduation ceremony of Junior Course 16, 2023. It is without a doubt that you have spent three months having rigorous training. I congratulate you for your tenacity and commitment, which has led us to today’s occasion.

“I want to urge you, the graduands, to build up your competence and capacity in discharging your official duty as trained Customs officers, having undergone this training at the college. I do not doubt that you are now well equipped and ready to serve the Nigeria Customs Service well.” Egwu said.

As part of the ceremony, Certificates and Awards were presented, including Certificate Award to the best overall student of Junior Course 16. Ayiyu explained that before the graduation ceremony, the College organised a regimental pre-graduation dinner for the students on Wednesday, where the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Strategic, Research and Policy, DCG Al-Bashir Hamisu, represented the Ag. CGC as the Special Guest of Honour.

Addressing the students during the feast, Hamisu said, “I have no doubts in my mind that considering the quality of training you have received, you all will be good ambassadors of the College and the Service at large – and I wish to implore you to exhibit your competence to your subordinates when you go back to your places of work.”

The Junior Course is a three months training that instills the Service’s tenets aimed at acquainting officers with productive policies and ethics of Customs work. Some courses include service writing, public speaking, time management, amongst many others.