Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday celebrated excellence, professionalism and outstanding service by honouring exceptional officers and personnel during the Award Dinner Night held as part of the 2026 Nigeria Customs Service Public Relations Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The event also witnessed the conferment of a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award on the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, in recognition of his remarkable contributions to public relations, strategic communication and institutional reforms within the Service.
The colourful ceremony brought together senior Customs officers, public relations practitioners, media executives and development partners to celebrate outstanding performance, encourage professionalism and reinforce a culture of excellence across the Nigeria Customs Service.
Speaking during the presentation of the awards, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, said the initiative was designed to recognise officers whose dedication, innovation and professionalism have distinguished them in the discharge of their responsibilities.
According to him, “Recognising excellence is one of the most effective ways of motivating officers to do more. Tonight, we celebrate commitment, hard work and the values that continue to strengthen the image and reputation of the Nigeria Customs Service.”
The President of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku, lauded the Comptroller-General for institutionalising professionalism and promoting capacity building within the Customs Public Relations Unit.
“When excellence is recognised, it inspires others to strive for higher standards. The Nigeria Customs Service has demonstrated that strategic communication remains central to institutional success and public confidence,” Neliaku stated.
Also speaking, the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahaya, described the awards as a worthwhile investment in human capital.
He said, “Any organisation that rewards hard work and professionalism is laying a solid foundation for sustainable growth. We encourage the award recipients to remain committed to ethical conduct, transparency and national service.”
Among the major honours presented during the ceremony, Superintendent of Customs Elizabeth Anawanti and Superintendent of Customs Umar Abdullahi received the Distinguished Service Award in Public Relations for their exemplary commitment to the profession.
Chief Superintendent of Customs Nuruddeen Sa’idu and Yusuf were honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to the Development of the Nigeria Customs Service Public Relations Unit Award in recognition of their significant impact on the growth of the Unit.
The coveted Alex Akiyenyele Award for Outstanding Public Relations Officer of the Year was presented to Chief Superintendent of Customs Lukman Abdullahi-Lagos for his exceptional performance and dedication to advancing strategic communication within the Service.
The evening also featured the presentation of the Best Dressed Male and Female Officers Awards, adding colour and glamour to the event. In addition, Abdulkarim Zurmi and Lucy Nyambi were recognised as the Best NCBN Staff Attached to the Public Relations Unit for their unwavering dedication and outstanding support to the Unit’s activities.
The award ceremony marked a fitting conclusion to the 2026 Nigeria Customs Service Public Relations Conference, reinforcing the Service’s commitment to rewarding excellence, promoting professionalism and strengthening institutional communication.