Adeniyi Wins Presidential Public Stewardship Excellence Award

BY FUNMI ALUKO

For exhibitinge impactful and extraordinary performance in his core area of respondibilituy, particulary in revenue collection, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has caused to be recognized publicly, the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, under the auspices of the Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service (NEAPS).

The CGC who was on Saturday, 6 July 2024, honoured with the “Outstanding Revenue Collection” during award the ceremony at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, his significant achievements in revenue generation since his appointment as Comptroller-General of Customs in June 2023, said the award is a call to do more.

The Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service with a total 44 recipients includes the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President) Senator Ibrahim Hadejia; and state governors.

President Tinubu who was represented at the ceremony by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima emphasised that the awards were about embedding a culture of recognition and reward in the public service ethos. He conveyed the president’s message that public institutions are not personal enterprises and that public servants are employees of the Nigerian people.

Speaking during the award giving ceremony, Senator Shettima, representing noted that the awards were about embedding a culture of recognition and reward in the public service ethos; adding that public institutions are not personal enterprises and that public servants are employees of the Nigerian people.

Spokesman of the NCS, CSC Abdullahi Maiwada in a release quoted Adeniyi as expressing delight in an interview after receiving the award and affirmed his commitment to advancing Nigeria’s economy through revenue collection and trade facilitation.

He thanked the president, the SGF, and NEAPS for the recognition, stating, “This national recognition is a challenge for the Service to double its efforts in making this country proud. It motivates public officials to dedicate themselves and perform diligently in office.”

Earlier, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, urged the award recipients to continue their exemplary work. He emphasised that the selected individuals and organisations were chosen based on objective criteria from both the public and private sectors.

Sen. Akume welcomed attendees to the second edition of NEAPS, mentioning that the first edition was held in October 2023 at the exact location. He praised The Best Strategic (TBS) Media for organising the event in collaboration with the OSGF. He highlighted NEAPS as an award recognising innovation, leadership, and significant contributions to public service and the nation’s development.

Among the 44 recipients of the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President) Senator Ibrahim Hadejia. Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and  Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu State were recognised for their sector-specific interventions.

Other honorees included FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso, President of Dangote Group Alhaji Aliko Dangote, former SGF Boss Mustapha, and Founder/Chairman of Zenith Bank Chief Jim Ovia.

NEAPS is an annual recognition program organised in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), celebrating individuals who have made exceptional contributions to public service within the preceding year.