The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS has commenced a Strategic Refresher Course for 100 Deputy Comptrollers as part of efforts to prepare a new cadre of senior officers for higher leadership responsibilities and sustain ongoing reforms across the Service.
The workshop, organised by the Human Resources Development Department in collaboration with the Customs Police Unit, began on Tuesday, July 7, at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada.
Declaring the workshop open on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Commandant of the College, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Dow Gaura, described the participants as officers carefully selected for greater responsibilities within the Service.
Gaura said the training was designed to prepare them to lead by example, noting that it goes beyond professional competence to emphasise discipline, succession, conduct and leadership.
“These officers are expected to serve as role models for the next generation of Customs personnel. This training goes beyond professional competence; it focuses on discipline, succession, conduct and leadership,” he said.
Delivering the keynote lecture, retired Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Dera Nnadi reminded the officers that promotion comes with greater responsibility rather than personal privilege.
“The rank of Deputy Comptroller does not merely confer authority; it confers service. You owe responsibility to the Service, your colleagues, your subordinates, the nation’s leadership and our stakeholders,” Nnadi said.
Also speaking, the Deputy Commandant and Director of Studies of the College, Comptroller Haniel Hadison, urged participants to uphold the traditions of regimentation, discipline and professionalism, stressing that senior officers must set standards through their conduct, appearance and relationship with subordinates.
Earlier, the Acting Customs Provost Marshal, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Sanusi Saulawa, said the refresher course was designed to prepare Deputy Comptrollers for the greater responsibilities associated with senior leadership positions.
He noted that the workshop reflects the Comptroller-General’s commitment to continuous capacity building, urging officers to continually update their knowledge, strengthen their leadership skills and uphold the discipline, professionalism and integrity expected of future managers of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Some participants commended the Comptroller-General for approving the training, describing it as timely and impactful. They pledged to apply the knowledge acquired to strengthen discipline, improve service delivery and uphold the image of the Nigeria Customs Service as they assume higher leadership responsibilities.
