By Femi Anamelechi
As part of efforts to foster and strengthen Inter- Agency collaboration, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Murtala Muhammed Area Command (MMAC) has kicked off it’s second quarter inter-agency, stakeholders, sports competition. The event which kicked off on Thursday, 15 May 2025 at the Bashir Adewale Sports complex is to promote unity and collaboration between Customs, sister agencies and stakeholders including logistics companies, NIgeria Customs, Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), and Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) is to further deepen the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie.
Speaking at the opening ceremony MMAC Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Michael Awe, emphasized the importance of physical fitness and emotional well-being as essential to fostering efficiency in national service.According to him: “You all know that for us to be mentally alert, we need to be physically sound. The purpose of this is to foster unity, collaboration and synergy. To enhance synergy amongst us all, for efficient and effective performance.” Comptroller Awe reiterated the broader goals of the initiative, noting its impact beyond physical activity.” You know, when there is unity, there is collaboration, and everybody works as one. It will definitely create room for efficiency, yield productivity, and ultimately jack up our revenue. This is not only Customs affair, it’s for everybody and it’s just to foster unity.”
Stakeholders at the event praised the Area Commend for its inclusive approach and for adopting sports as a tool to build stronger relationships. Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), MMAC Chapter, lauded the initiative saying, “what a way to unwind. This business is such that you go through stress to defend your job. And after all this, you have a place to unwind. And not necessarily going to a beer parlour. This is a new initiative that we will also adopt in our association. It’s a good one.”The event which was largely attended by various participants ended with cheers, celebration with great anticipation for the concluding phase of the competition, scheduled to hold by June.
