Mariam Abeeb
The National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, has reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to strengthening integrity, transparency and accountability through sustained institutional reforms, saying measures introduced by the current leadership are helping to mitigate corruption and promote ethical conduct among officers.
Maiwada stated this at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, during the 4th Economic Confidential Lecture and 6th National Spokespersons Awards organised by Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), where he spoke with journalists on the sidelines of the event themed, “Anti-Corruption Reforms, Economic Stability and Effective Communication.” He said integrity remained a fundamental pillar of the World Customs Organisation, noting that the Service had aligned its operations with global best practices through integrity perception surveys, continuous reforms and stronger collaboration with anti-corruption institutions.
According to him, “The World Customs Organisation is very intentional about the integrity of Customs officers worldwide. Nigeria Customs has conducted integrity perception surveys involving both internal and external stakeholders, and the feedback from those exercises has continued to shape our reforms, our modernisation projects and even our collaboration with other government agencies. Recently, the Code of Conduct Bureau visited the Service as part of efforts to strengthen ethical conduct among our officers.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Adamu Aliyu, described corruption as a global challenge that distorts economies, fuels inequality and undermines national security.
He noted that corruption was neither peculiar to Nigeria nor Africa, citing international cases as evidence that corrupt practices transcend national boundaries.
The event also featured the emergence of Assistant Superintendent of Customs I Folusho Adeogun, Liaison Officer of the Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network (NCBN), as the Young Communicator of the Year at the 6th National Spokespersons Awards.
Receiving the award, Adeogun dedicated the recognition to the Nigeria Customs Service and pledged to contribute further to the growth of the institution through effective communication, saying, “This award will encourage me to contribute even more to the Service and ensure that I continue to play my role effectively. It has energised me to do more.”
Congratulating the award recipient, Maiwada described the recognition as a reflection of Adeogun’s commitment, professionalism and hard work, adding, “I am particularly delighted to see one of our young officers receive this recognition. No amount of mentorship can produce results unless the individual is willing to learn and improve himself. Adeogun has demonstrated commitment, professionalism and hard work.”
On her part, the jury chairperson, Professor Saudat Abdulbaqi, said the awards had grown beyond an annual recognition programme into a platform for promoting professionalism, effective communication and public trust.
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