By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Friday, March 13, 2026, honoured retiring Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Dera Nnadi, and Assistant Comptroller-General, Kingsley Egwu, during a ceremonial Pulling-Out Parade marking the end of their decades-long service to the nation.
The event, held at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College in Gwagwalada, brought together members of the Customs management team, senior officers, colleagues, and well-wishers who gathered to celebrate the officers’ professional contributions and dedication.
Speaking at the ceremony, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the occasion as an opportunity for the Service to recognise excellence, discipline, and institutional impact. Represented by Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Training and Doctrine Command, Sulaiman Chiroma, he emphasised that careers in the Service are defined not only by rank but by values upheld and legacies built.
Adeniyi praised Nnadi as a seasoned officer who served in strategic commands where revenue generation, trade facilitation, and border security intersect. He noted that Nnadi contributed significantly to policy discussions on Customs modernisation and Nigeria’s participation in continental trade initiatives, while also mentoring younger officers.
The CGC also commended Egwu for his role in advancing reforms within the Service, particularly through the adoption of technology to improve transparency and operational efficiency. His tenure as the 10th Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Adeniyi added, helped strengthen training standards through a focus on discipline, knowledge, and ethical conduct.
In his response, Nnadi expressed gratitude to God and the Service for the opportunity to serve, noting that his career achievements were made possible through teamwork and shared professional values. He urged serving officers to remain disciplined and adaptable amid evolving global trade dynamics.
Egwu described his more than three decades in the Service as both demanding and fulfilling. He paid tribute to officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, describing them as heroes whose sacrifices contributed to national security. He also encouraged officers to maintain integrity, stressing that while leadership positions are temporary, reputations built on honour endure.
The ceremony concluded with tributes from colleagues and the presentation of honours in recognition of the retiring officers’ years of dedicated service. 🎖️
