The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, has warned 50 newly promoted officers against putting personal interests above the national interest as they take on fresh responsibilities across various commands.
Adeniyi gave the warning on Friday in Abuja during the graduation ceremony of Junior Course 25 at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada.
The three-month course was completed by 50 officers as part of efforts by the Customs Service to strengthen the leadership and operational capacity of its personnel.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the NCS National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, said Adeniyi urged the graduates to demonstrate integrity, fairness, courage and sound judgement in the discharge of their duties.
Addressing the officers, Adeniyi said holding a higher rank was not enough to make anyone a leader, stressing that leadership must be demonstrated through competence and accountability.
“Leadership is not defined solely by the rank that you wear, but is demonstrated through competence, fairness, courage and the responsibility you take,” he said.
He urged the officers to deploy the knowledge and skills acquired during the course to deal with the increasingly complex challenges confronting modern Customs administration.
The Commandant of the College, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Dow Gaura, commended the graduates for their commitment and highlighted ongoing efforts to improve training at the institution.
Gaura said the college was introducing digital learning tools and expanding strategic training partnerships, including collaboration with the Nigerian Army.
The 50 officers were presented with certificates at the ceremony, while the three best-performing graduates received special awards.