The Public Relations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) clinched the top honours at the Nigeria Customs Service Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada, Senior Course 14 graduation on June 26, with Chief Superintendent of Customs Ridwan Yusuf emerging as the Overall Best Graduating Student.
CSC Yusuf also won three additional awards, while Chief Superintendent of Customs Nuruddeen Sa’idu emerged as the Second Best Graduating Student at the graduation ceremony, where 50 officers successfully completed the course.
The National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, showered encomiums on the officers, describing the achievement as a moment of “pure, unadulterated joy.”
“It is a massive testament to the calibre, intellectual depth, and dedication of the officers in the NCS PR Unit. They didn’t just pass; they conquered one of the Service’s most demanding professional training programmes, proving once again that PR isn’t just about managing images; it’s about top-tier administrative competence and strategic leadership,” DC Maiwada said.
However, he acknowledged that his immense pride came with a bittersweet twist, noting that if history and tradition are anything to go by, just as Assistant Comptroller Benjamin Lomba’s outstanding performance in Senior Course 13 earned him a position as Directing Staff, Yusuf and Sa’idu are also likely to be retained at the College to help shape the next generation of leaders.
While expressing delight over their career progression and the honour they have brought to the Customs PR Unit, Maiwada also admitted that their departure would be a significant loss to the unit.
He emphasised that replacing officers of their calibre would not be an easy task, stating that their daily presence, sharp minds, and camaraderie would be deeply missed in what he described as “our trenches.”
The spokesperson reiterated that the duo had made the Nigeria Customs Service, and the Public Relations Unit in particular, immensely proud.
“As you transition into this next chapter of mentorship and excellence, know that you carry our highest respect and full support. Go make us proud at the College, gentlemen,” he added.
