Shuaibu Charges Youths on Skill Acquisition

BY FUNMI ALUKO

The present leadership of the Nigerian Customs Service demonstrated yet again its strong commitment and passion to nation building through participation in viable skills building and reinforcement of latent and viable options that supports and steers the greater majority of youths on the right path to achieving legitimate livelihood.

In line with above, the Customs Area Controller, Ogun 1 Command Idiroko, Comptroller Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu  has urged youths in the border communities to embrace viable skill acquisition and noble cultural practices as means of earning legitimate living to avoid crimes like smuggling.

Shuaibu said this while addressing participants and guests during a five day Festival of Art for Economic Development programme organized by the Integration Art Palace and Tour company, in collaboration with the Ogun 1 Area Command between February 10-14, 2024, with the theme “The Role of Nigeria Customs Service in Economic Development and National Security.”

The Ogun 1 customs boss who used the opportunity to highlight activities of the NCS and the area command to the people to discouraged youths from smuggling, identified cultural integration and values as tools to building sustainable societies through legitimate trade.

To give the youths of the border communities a greater sense of affinity and belonging, Shuaibu used the opportunity to show the youths around the command formation where seizures are kept and explained the dangers and negative results of acts that sabotage the national interest and why they should be law abiding and avoid smuggling and related vices.

In his welcome address, the CAC commended the organizer, Dr. Bonny Botoku, for his initiative and congratulated the participants, especially the younger ones for their participation. He described the programme as a panacea for youth restiveness and encouraged the development of skills in creative art.

He also emphasized the importance of creative art in attracting tourists and as a viable means of livelihood; even as he reassured continuous support from the Command for the festival’s sustainability.

The Customs Command Public Relations Officer, CSC Hameed Oloyede in a release disclosed that the event was attended by participants from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Yaba College of Technology, and selected secondary schools in Ipokia Local Government Area of the state, including government and private sector stakeholders from the country and the Republic of Benin.

Oloyede said the event ended with prize presentation to participants for outstanding arts and performances, noting that the event was the third edition.

The statement reads, “The Integration Art Palace and Tour company, in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun 1 Area Command, organized a Festival of Art for Economic Development programme. The programme lasted for 5 days, commencing on Saturday, February 10, 2024, and concluding on Wednesday, February 14, 2024.

“This marks the 3rd edition with the theme: “The Role of Nigeria Customs Service in Economic Development and National Security.” The event was attended by participants from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Yaba College of Technology, and selected secondary schools in Ipokia Local Government Area, among others.”

As an aspect of cultural exhibition, the participants reportedly paid homage to the royal fathers of selected communities.

“On the first day, participants paid homage to the Oniko of Ikolaje Idiroko, Oba John Olakunle Ojo JP. On the second day, Sunday, February 11, 2024, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Hammed Oloyede, took the participants on a tour of Sentry Customs House, where seized vehicles, petroleum products, and perishable items were warehoused. The destruction site for seized frozen poultry products and the circumstances surrounding the seizure of prohibited items were explicitly explained to the participants.”

According to the PRO, “A symposium was held in the Conference room of the Command’s Headquarters to mark the third day of the event. Dignitaries in attendance included the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Ogun 1 Area Command, Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu, his management team, Director of DSS, Mr. IK Ikiriko, heads of other agencies, and the Deputy Mayor of Ifoyin Municipality, Igolo, Republic of Benin.

Speaking, Dr Bonny A. Botoku, the programme initiator said his passion for art inspired him to initiate the festival to encourage the younger generation interested in it. He said the date of the event was carefully selected to coincide with Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2024, to allow for the youths to celebrate in a more constructive manner rather than its frivolous exhibition of drunkenness and sensuality.

Assistant Comptroller of Customs Emmanuella Chukwu, the guest speaker at the symposium, highlighted the core functions of NCS, including revenue generation, suppression of smuggling, facilitation of lawful trade, and security of the nation’s borders.

She identified various revenues generated from import duties, excise duties, auction sales, and export proceeds as parts of the way NCS contributes to the development of our dear nation. Additionally, she emphasized NCS’s role in anti-smuggling activities and counter-terrorism efforts as a means through which it contributes to national security.

“The grand finale, marking the end of the occasion, took place on February 14, 2024, at the Integration Art Palace and Tour Cultural Centre in Idiroko. Certificates of participation were presented to the participants by the Customs Area Controller, represented by Deputy Comptroller Administration, DC Charles Ogunesan.

Prizes were also awarded to the top three secondary school participants based on performance, with consolation prizes given to the others for encouragement.