*Adeniyi Bags Lifetime Achievement Award
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recognised exceptional officers and men for their dedication, professionalism and outstanding service over the years.
Also recognized was the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Dr. Adewale Bashir Adeniyi. The CGC was honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his contributions to public relations, strategic communication and institutional reforms.
They were recognized and given award during the Award Dinner Night organized as part of the 2026 NCS Public Relations Conference which took place in the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt recently.
Top NCS officers, public relations professionals, media executives and development partners attended the occasion organized to celebrate excellence, encourage higher performance and reinforce professionalism across the service.
NCS National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada in his remarks at the event said the recognition was aimed at honouring officers whose commitment, innovation and professionalism have distinguished them in the discharge of their duties.
Maiwada averred that recognising excellence remains one of the most effective ways of motivating personnel to achieve even greater results just as he pointed out that the awards celebrated dedication, hard work and the values that continue to enhance the image and reputation of NCS.
On his part, the President of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Mr. Ike Neliaku praised the CGC for strengthening professionalism and capacity development within the Public Relations Unit.
Neliaku stated that recognising excellence inspires others to pursue higher standards and commended the Service for making strategic communication a key driver of institutional success and public confidence.
The President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Alhassan Yahaya in his remarks at the event, described the initiative as a commendable investment in human capital.
According to him, organisations that reward professionalism and hard work build a strong foundation for sustainable growth and urged recipients to remain committed to ethics, transparency and service to the nation.
Among the major honours presented were the Distinguished Service Award in Public Relations which went to Superintendent of Customs Elizabeth Anawanti and Superintendent of Customs Umar Abdullahi.
Chief Superintendent of Customs Nuruddeen Sa’idu and Yusuf were honoured with the Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Development of the Nigeria Customs Service Public Relations Unit while Chief Superintendent of Customs Lukman Abdullahi Lagos received the Alex Akiyenyele Award as the Outstanding Public Relations Officer of the Year.
The Best Dressed Male and Female Officers Awards were also presented to deserving officers just as Abdulkarim Zurmi and Lucy Nyambi were recognised as the Best NCBN Staff attached to the Public Relations Unit for their dedication and exceptional support to the unit’s activities over the years.
