The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has unveiled a sports arena in the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Western Marine Command, Ibafon, Apapa Lagos.
The sport facility situated under the bridge at Coconut Bus Stop was built by the Western Marine Command as part of its corporate responsibilities (CSR).
Named Wale Adeniyi Sports Arena (WASA), the facility is seen as a demonstration of NCS commitment to personnel welfare and community partnership.
Addressing officers, community leaders, youth representatives, and other stakeholders at the event, Adeniyi emphasized that the newly built facility must be actively utilized to promote physical fitness and mental well-being among personnel.
His words: “This facility has been built for us — and it is meant to be used. It is not a structure to be admired from a distance, but a space to be fully embraced and maximally utilized.”
Apparently pleased with the state-of-the-art facilities at WASA, Adeniyi enjoined officers and men not only within the Western Marine Command but also those serving in PTML, Tin Can Island Port, and Apapa Commands to take advantage of the arena, stressing that operational effectiveness depends on both professional competence and overall well-being.
Explaining the rationale for the directive, Adeniyi said: “Our effectiveness as a service depends not only on our professional competence but also on our physical strength and mental well-being.”
He described the sports arena as an investment in resilience, discipline, and productivity.
The CGC also used the occasion to appreciate members of the host community, acknowledging that past misunderstandings had given way to improved dialogue and cooperation.
“There was a time when our relationship was challenged by misunderstandings and tensions. However, I am pleased to acknowledge that we have made significant progress,” he said, adding that trust and partnership had created the enabling environment for projects such as the sports arena to thrive.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Western Marine Command, Comptroller PN Ntadi had earlier in his welcome address described the facility as more than just a recreational centre but a symbol of purpose, discipline, and community engagement.
Ntadi noted that the arena was named in honour of Adeniyi in recognition of his professionalism, grassroots engagements, and dedication to duty.
According to the CAC, the WASA project reflects the command’s belief that security goes beyond patrols and enforcement to include prevention through youth engagements and positive alternatives to crime.
His words: “Sports teach discipline, teamwork, leadership, resilience, and respect for rules — the same values that guide us as officers of the Nigeria Customs Service. By creating this arena, we are opening doors of opportunity for young people to channel their energy productively and build hope for a better tomorrow.”
He called on community leaders, parents, and youth groups to take ownership of the facility and ensure its proper utilization and maintenance.
According to him, the event attended by senior NCS officers, representatives of sister security agencies, and members of the press, highlighted the service’s growing emphasis on human development, youth empowerment, and sustainable peace through strategic community-focused initiatives.
He averred that with the unveiling of WASA, the NCS has once again demonstrated that effective security management is anchored not only on enforcement but also on partnership, prevention, and people-centered development.
