The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the media as part of efforts to promote stakeholder awareness, public trust, and national development.
The commitment was reiterated during a media parley organised by the National Public Relations Unit of the Service at the Kano/Jigawa Area Command Headquarters, Abdullahi Dikko Inde Conference Hall, Bompai, Kano.
The event, themed “Building Synergy Between the Media and Customs for Enhanced Stakeholders’ Awareness and National Development,” brought together senior Customs officers, journalists, and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists from Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, and Katsina states.
Speaking at the engagement, the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Abdullahi Maiwada, described the media as a vital partner in nation-building and public enlightenment.
According to him, journalists play a strategic role in communicating government policies, Customs procedures, trade regulations, and enforcement activities to stakeholders and the general public.
Maiwada noted that under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Service has intensified reforms in trade modernisation, digital transformation, intelligence-driven enforcement, stakeholder engagement, and institutional transparency.
He stated that the reforms are aimed at building a more accountable, technology-driven, and responsive Customs administration capable of supporting national economic growth.
The Customs spokesperson urged journalists to uphold professionalism, fairness, and responsible reporting, stressing that accurate and timely media coverage remains essential to Customs operations and public understanding.
“We value this relationship and will continue to work closely with journalists to ensure accurate and balanced reporting of Customs activities,” he said.
Maiwada also highlighted ongoing efforts by the Service to counter misinformation through stronger collaboration with credible media organisations and the adoption of multilingual communication strategies.
In his goodwill message, Acting Customs Area Controller of the Kano/Jigawa Area Command, Usman Adamu, described the engagement as timely and important for strengthening institutional communication and public trust.
According to him, collaboration between the media and Customs remains essential in achieving effective revenue generation, trade facilitation, and border security objectives.
Also speaking, Vice Chairman of the Kano State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mustapha Muhammad, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for organising the parley.
He described the relationship between the media and Customs as mutually beneficial and reaffirmed the commitment of journalists to ethical journalism, professionalism, and responsible reportage.
The event also featured an interactive session where journalists engaged Customs officials on operational procedures, enforcement activities, trade facilitation processes, and stakeholder concerns.
Participants at the parley stressed the importance of sustained dialogue, trust, and professionalism in building a productive relationship between the media and the Nigeria Customs Service.
