The Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College in Gwagwalada, Abuja, hosted the graduation ceremony for Junior Course 19, marking the end of an intensive three-month training program. At the event, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, represented by Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Finance, Administration, and Technical Services, DCG Bello Jibo, charged the newly graduated officers to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and to remain ‘good’ ambassadors of the Nigeria Customs Service.
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, alongside representatives from military and paramilitary agencies.
In his address to the graduates, DCG Jibo highlighted the importance of continuous learning and professional development. He emphasized that the rigorous training the officers underwent was only the beginning of their journey, and they must continue to expand their knowledge and skills to add value to the Customs Service. “The knowledge you have gained here is your foundation for showing your commitment to continuous learning and development that will define your success. Go forth with confidence, serve with honour, and lead with integrity,” Jibo urged.
Reflecting on the significance of the event, DCG Jibo described the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College as a remarkable institution dedicated to cultivating future leaders of the Customs Service. He noted that the college has consistently produced officers who have led the service with distinction, and he expressed confidence that the graduates of Junior Course 19 would follow in their footsteps.
“The future of our service depends on your ability to lead with integrity, innovate with purpose, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism,” Jibo stated. He encouraged the graduates to uphold the ethics of their work, emphasizing that they are now key bearers of the Service’s mission to facilitate trade, secure national borders, and promote the country’s economic prosperity.
The graduation ceremony also featured the presentation of awards to outstanding graduates, which DCG Jibo described as a testament to their exceptional dedication and performance during their training. He encouraged all officers to strive for excellence in their duties.
In his remarks, ACG Kingsley Egwuh, Commandant of the College, conferred the Pass Junior Staff Course (PJSC) title on the graduates, urging them to apply the knowledge and skills they acquired during their training to their respective commands. Deputy Commandant Comptroller Oluyomi Adebakin echoed this sentiment, urging the graduates to be good ambassadors of the Service and to share their knowledge with their subordinates.
One of the graduates, Superintendent of Customs Ekene Ochi, expressed gratitude for the training and the valuable lessons learned. He praised the college’s comprehensive courses for equipping him and his colleagues with the skills needed for future challenges in the Customs Service.
The graduation event was preceded by a regimental dinner night on Monday, August 26, 2024, organized by the college to celebrate the graduates. The colourful event was described by DCG Bello Jibo, who served as the Special Guest of Honour on behalf of the CGC, as an opportunity to foster camaraderie among officers and celebrate the significant achievements of the training program.
As the graduates of Junior Course 19 embark on their careers within the Nigeria Customs Service, they carry with them the charge to lead with integrity, innovate with purpose, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism, reflecting the core values of the Customs Service and contributing to the nation’s growth and security.
