By Peace Udugba -The Daily Torch Media
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions to public relations, strategic communication and institutional reforms as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) honoured exceptional officers at the Awards Dinner Night of the 2026 Nigeria Customs Service Public Relations Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The award ceremony, held on Thursday, July 23, formed part of activities marking the successful conclusion of the four-day conference, which focused on strengthening corporate communication as a strategic tool for institutional effectiveness and public trust.
The event attracted senior Customs officers, communication professionals, media executives and development partners who gathered to celebrate excellence, inspire greater commitment and reinforce professionalism across the Service.
Presenting the awards, the National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, said the initiative was designed to recognise officers whose dedication, innovation and professionalism have distinguished them in the discharge of their duties.
According to him, recognising excellence remains one of the most effective ways of motivating officers to strive for greater achievements.
“Recognising excellence is one of the most effective ways of motivating officers to do more. Tonight, we celebrate commitment, hard work and the values that continue to strengthen the image and reputation of the Nigeria Customs Service,” Maiwada said.
The President of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ike Neliaku, commended the leadership of the Comptroller-General for institutionalising professionalism and strengthening capacity building within the Service’s Public Relations Unit.
Similarly, the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahaya, described the initiative as a worthwhile investment in human capital, noting that organisations that reward excellence lay a solid foundation for sustainable growth.
Among the major honours presented at the ceremony was the Distinguished Service Award in Public Relations, conferred on Superintendent of Customs Elizabeth Anawanti and Superintendent of Customs Umar Abdullahi.
Chief Superintendent of Customs Nuruddeen Sa’idu and Yusuf received the Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Development of the Nigeria Customs Service Public Relations Unit, while Chief Superintendent of Customs Lukman Abdullahi-Lagos emerged as the recipient of the Alex Akiyenyele Award for Outstanding Public Relations Officer of the Year.
The event also featured the presentation of the Best Dressed Male and Female Officers Awards, while Abdulkarim Zurmi and Lucy Nyambi were recognised as the Best NCBN Staff Attached to the Public Relations Unit for their dedication and exceptional support.
At the closing ceremony of the conference on Friday, July 24, Adeniyi challenged Public Relations Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service to move beyond conventional media engagement and embrace strategic communication to drive reforms, strengthen institutional credibility and sustain public trust.
He described the conference as a platform for reflection, learning and institutional renewal at a defining moment in the Service’s transformation journey, stressing that communication has evolved from a support function into a strategic management tool.
“Around the world, communication has evolved from a support service into a strategic management function. Reforms cannot succeed unless they are understood, accepted and trusted by the people they are designed to serve,” Adeniyi said.
The Comptroller-General noted that the growing influence of digital media, artificial intelligence and real-time information requires Customs spokespersons to become more proactive, research-driven and intelligence-led in communicating government policies and the Service’s operations.
According to him, every seizure, reform, trade facilitation initiative and act of service must be communicated professionally and purposefully to strengthen public confidence in the Service.
Earlier, the Acting Zonal Coordinator of Zone ‘C’, Comptroller Pascal Chibuoke, described corporate communication as a strategic asset that shapes public perception, strengthens stakeholder confidence, promotes transparency and reinforces institutional legitimacy.
Maiwada, in his address, described the 2026 conference as another milestone in the evolution of Customs corporate communication, noting that it built on the successes of previous editions held in Lagos, Gwagwalada and Kano.
He said the conference was designed to develop practical communication solutions, strengthen professional networks and reposition Public Relations as a strategic corporate communication function within the Service.
In her closing remarks, the Customs Area Controller of Port Harcourt Area I Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, commended the Comptroller-General for sustaining investments in professional development and institutional capacity building. She urged participants to apply the knowledge gained during the conference to improve service delivery across their commands.
The conference, themed “Realigning Corporate Communication as a Strategic Driver of Institutional Effectiveness and Public Trust,” featured technical sessions on Customs modernisation, crisis communication, media intelligence, digital innovation, stakeholder engagement and emerging communication technologies aimed at strengthening the Service’s communication architecture.
The conference ended with a renewed commitment by the Nigeria Customs Service to reward excellence, deepen professionalism and leverage strategic communication in advancing institutional reforms and strengthening public confidence.
