In its relentless pursuit of enhancing the operational effectiveness of the personnel within the Nigeria Customs Service through consistent training and skill development, the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College graduated 50 Officers from Junior Course 16.
The ceremony, held at the distinguished Ahmed Makarfi Hall within the college’s renowned Conference Theater, was honored by the presence of the Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Ag. CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who graced the occasion as the Special Guest of Honour.
In his address to the graduating officers, Ag. CGC Adeniyi extended his congratulations and reaffirmed his unwavering dedication to elevating the professionalism of Customs Officers through continuous training and the cultivation of their capacities.
“I congratulate you for attaining this level of finishing your course, having shown your commitment and competence in dealing with Customs rules,” he said
The Special Guest of Honor further remarked, “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.”
He encouraged them to uphold positive connections with members of their host communities, simultaneously playing a role in revenue generation and strengthening border security.
The head of Customs, while sharing positive news with the faculty members, also gave the graduates assurance that the knowledge and skills acquired in the college should be highly valued.
The College Commandant, ACG Kingsley Chukwu Egwu, who spoke to the graduates earlier, urged them to apply the knowledge gained during their college training. He emphasized that the nation looks forward to their constructive input in combating smuggling, boosting revenue, and facilitating lawful trade.
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The Commandant said, “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.”
As part of the event’s lineup, a ceremony was held where Certificates and Awards were presented. Among these honors was the recognition of the best overall student of Junior Course 16. The curriculum of the courses undertaken by the Officers covers a wide range of topics, including service writing, public speaking, time management, and many others.
Before the Graduation Ceremony, the College arranged a formal pre-graduation dinner for the students on Wednesday. The Special Guest of Honour for the occasion was DCG Al-Bashir Hamisu, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Strategic, Research and Policy, representing the Ag. CGC.
During the dinner, the Acting Comptroller-General of Customs (Ag. CGC) addressed the students, expressing confidence in the high-quality training they had received. The Ag. CGC emphasized that he believed the students would become excellent representatives of the College and the broader Customs Service. He encouraged them to demonstrate their competence and skills to their subordinates upon their return to their respective workplaces.
The Junior Course serves as a fundamental pillar of the Service’s training approach, designed to familiarize the organization’s operatives with effective policies and ethical standards related to Customs work. This intensive three-month program is conducted at the College.
