The Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi has called for a collaboration between the Customs Service and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, for effective service delivery.
Adeniyi made the call at the 2023 Gala/Awards Nite of the Nigeria Union of Journalists held in Lagos on Friday.
He said; “Smuggling activities in the country can be curtailed to a large extent through partnership with the media.
“This inter-agency partnership needs to be intensified because the media is positioned to inform and educate the public on the merit of anti-smuggling operations of the NCS.”
The Comptroller-General explained that the activities of the NCS have always elicited mixed reactions especially from some persons who are bent on criticising and attacking its operations, calling on members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm to be part of this fight.
“To curb this menace, the media becomes very instrumental in the dissemination of information about Customs activities in the interest of Nigeria and as well educating the public on government fiscal policies,” Adeniyi appealed.
The Customs Boss pledged his commitment to work with journalists for effective service delivery because the role of the media is key in the attainment of the NCS’s mandate.
He said; “The service requires the support and guidance of the media to consolidate the progress made in trade facilitation, revenue collection amongst areas of its mandate.”
Adeniyi assured Journalists of partnership in all Customs formations for a better understanding of the undertakings and operations of the NCS.
He was represented at the event by the Commandant of Nigeria Customs Training College, Ikeja Lagos, Deputy Comptroller Haniel Hadison.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
