The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the media to promote transparency, public awareness and national development.
The National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, stated this during an interaction with journalists from the North-West in Kano on Monday.
Maiwada said strategic partnership with journalists remained critical to the success of customs operations, trade facilitation and efficient public service delivery across the country.
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He explained that the engagement was organised to deepen journalists’ understanding of customs operations, fiscal policies and trade facilitation tools.
According to him, previous training sessions held in Abuja exposed gaps in the understanding of customs terminologies among journalists, making sustained capacity building necessary.
He said the initiative was designed to equip media practitioners with the knowledge required to accurately report customs activities and improve public understanding of the Service’s operations.
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“The media plays a key role in nation-building through public enlightenment, promotion of accountability and constructive dialogue.” The NCS National Public Relations Officer stressed.
Maiwada also highlighted ongoing reforms within the Service, particularly in trade modernisation and information technology development, aimed at improving operational efficiency and accountability.
He disclosed that journalists would be taken on guided tours to observe technological innovations being introduced by the Service in line with international best practices.
The Customs Spokesperson said the reforms were intended to strengthen transparency, improve service delivery and boost public confidence in customs administration.
He stressed that stakeholder awareness and understanding were essential to the successful implementation of customs policies and trade facilitation measures.
Maiwada further noted that the media had a critical role in combating misinformation and promoting national economic and security interests through accurate reportage.
He also announced plans to establish a dedicated media platform for Northern Nigeria to strengthen communication and professional engagement with journalists in the region.
Maiwada commended journalists for supporting the activities of the Service, including contributions to Hausa-language programmes and other regional media platforms.
In his remarks, the Acting Customs Area Controller of Kano/Jigawa Area Command, Usman Umar, reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to sustaining collaboration with the media for effective information dissemination.
Umar praised Maiwada for initiating the engagement and urged journalists to uphold professionalism and balanced reporting.
He said stronger cooperation between the media and the Nigeria Customs Service would contribute significantly to national growth, trade facilitation and security.
