PORT HARCOURT – The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has honoured outstanding officers and personnel for excellence, professionalism and dedication to duty, with the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to public relations, strategic communication and institutional reforms.
The awards were presented during the Award Dinner Night held as part of the 2026 Nigeria Customs Service Public Relations Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The event brought together senior Customs officers, communication professionals, media executives and development partners to celebrate excellence, encourage professionalism and reinforce a culture of outstanding service within the Nigeria Customs Service.
Speaking at the ceremony, the National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, said the awards were instituted to recognise officers whose dedication, innovation and professionalism have distinguished them in the discharge of their duties.
He noted that rewarding excellence remains one of the most effective ways of motivating officers to improve performance and strengthen the image of the Service.
Maiwada said the recipients exemplified the values of commitment, hard work and professionalism that continue to enhance the reputation of the Nigeria Customs Service.
In his goodwill message, the President of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ike Neliaku, commended the leadership of the Comptroller-General for promoting professionalism and capacity building within the Customs Public Relations Unit.
According to him, recognising outstanding performance encourages others to pursue higher standards and reinforces the importance of strategic communication in building public confidence.
Similarly, the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahaya, described the awards as a worthwhile investment in human capital, noting that organisations that reward professionalism and hard work create a strong foundation for sustainable growth.
He urged the award recipients to remain committed to ethical conduct, transparency and national service.
Among the major honours presented at the ceremony, Superintendent of Customs Elizabeth Anawanti and Superintendent of Customs Umar Abdullahi received the Distinguished Service Award in Public Relations.
Chief Superintendent of Customs Nuruddeen Sa’idu and Yusuf were recognised with the Outstanding Contribution to the Development of the Nigeria Customs Service Public Relations Unit Award.
Chief Superintendent of Customs Lukman Abdullahi-Lagos emerged as the recipient of the Alex Akiyenyele Award for Outstanding Public Relations Officer of the Year, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to strategic communication within the Service.
The ceremony also featured the presentation of the Best Dressed Male and Female Officers Awards, while Abdulkarim Zurmi and Lucy Nyambi were honoured as the Best Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network (NCBN) Staff Attached to the Public Relations Unit for their dedication and outstanding support to the unit’s activities.
The award night formed part of activities marking the conclusion of the 2026 Nigeria Customs Service Public Relations Conference, which focused on strengthening corporate communication as a strategic tool for institutional effectiveness and public trust.
Comment here