On August 27, 2024, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, charged officers graduating from the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC) in Gwagwalada, Abuja, to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and continue their commitment to lifelong learning. The event marked the graduation of 50 officers who completed the rigorous three-month Junior Course 19 program.
Represented by Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs (DCG) in charge of Finance, Administration, and Technical Services, Bello Jibo, CGC Adeniyi emphasized the importance of continuous learning and reminded the officers of their role as ambassadors of the Nigeria Customs Service. “The knowledge you have gained here is your foundation to showing your commitment to continuous learning and development that will define your success,” DCG Jibo stated, urging the officers to serve with honor and lead with integrity.
The ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, including Assistant Comptrollers-General, the Commandant of the College, ACG Kingsley Egwuh, and Deputy Commandant, Comptroller Oluyomi Adebakin. In his address, DCG Jibo highlighted the critical role of the College as a citadel of learning, where the foundation for future leadership within the Customs Service is laid. “This institution has produced some of the finest officers who have gone on to lead our service with distinction,” he noted.
DCG Jibo also presented awards to outstanding graduates, recognizing their exceptional dedication and performance during the course. He reiterated that these awards are not only a testament to their hard work but also a call to all officers to strive for excellence in their duties.
The Commandant of the College, ACG Kingsley Egwuh, conferred the graduates with the Pass Junior Staff Course (PJSC) title, urging them to apply the knowledge and skills they acquired as they return to their respective commands. “I stand here before you with joy to confer you all with this title and to implore you to practice what you have learned,” ACG Egwuh said.
Deputy Commandant Comptroller Oluyomi Adebakin echoed this sentiment, encouraging the officers to be good ambassadors of the Service and to pass on their knowledge to their subordinates. She highlighted the variety of courses, including leadership, public speaking, and computer programs, that were designed to shape the officers into well-rounded professionals.
One of the graduates, Superintendent of Customs Ekene Ochi, shared his positive experience at the College, expressing gratitude to the Nigeria Customs Service management and the College’s leadership for the training and opportunities provided. He emphasized that the robust curriculum has equipped him and his colleagues for future challenges in the Service.
In a related event, the College hosted a regimental dinner on August 26, 2024, to celebrate the graduating students. The dinner, a long-standing tradition of the College, was described by DCG Jibo as an avenue to foster comradeship among officers. He noted that the introduction of senior and junior courses in recent years has significantly contributed to the professional growth and capacity building of Customs officers.
As the graduates embark on the next phase of their careers, they carry with them the expectations of the Service to lead with integrity, innovate with purpose, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism. The successful completion of Junior Course 19 is seen as a stepping stone to further excellence within the Nigeria Customs Service.
