By George Ozalla
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced a Strategic Refresher Course for 100 Deputy Comptrollers as part of efforts to equip senior officers with the leadership capacity required to drive ongoing reforms and prepare them for higher responsibilities within the Service.
The workshop, organised by the Human Resources Development Department in collaboration with the Customs Police Unit, commenced on Tuesday 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 (ACG) Dow Gaura, described the participants as officers carefully selected for greater responsibilities in the Service.
Gaura stated that the refresher course was designed to prepare the officers to lead by example, noting that they would serve as role models for the next generation of Customs personnel.
He said the training extends beyond professional competence to include discipline, succession planning, conduct and leadership, stressing that the participants must demonstrate the highest standards expected of senior officers.
“The 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 participants that promotion to higher ranks comes with greater responsibility rather than personal privilege.
He stated that the rank of Deputy Comptroller places a greater burden of service on officers, urging them to remain accountable to the Service, their colleagues, subordinates, the nation’s leadership and stakeholders.
“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, charged the officers to uphold the traditions of regimentation, discipline and professionalism.
He stressed that senior officers must continually set the standard through their conduct, appearance and relationship with subordinate officers, adding that leadership is demonstrated through exemplary character and commitment to duty.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Acting Customs Provost Marshal, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Sanusi Saulawa, said the refresher course was organised to prepare Deputy Comptrollers for the greater responsibilities associated with senior leadership positions in the Service.
Saulawa noted that the workshop reflects the Comptroller-General’s commitment to continuous capacity building and institutional development.
He further stated that officers must continually update their knowledge, strengthen their leadership abilities and uphold the discipline, professionalism and integrity expected of future managers of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Some of the participants commended the Comptroller-General for approving the programme, describing it as timely and impactful.
They pledged to apply the knowledge and leadership skills acquired during the course to strengthen discipline, improve service delivery and protect the image of the Nigeria Customs Service as they assume higher responsibilities across commands and formations nationwide.
