By Femi Anamelechi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command under Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba has urged newly promoted senior officers to uphold Deligence, innovation as tools to effective risk management in the delivery of their duties. He pointed this out during a two-day refresher training programme for its newly promoted senior officers.The two day refresher training was aimed at equipping the newly promoted senior officers with enhanced skills and knowledge to excel in their various new leadership roles.The Comptroller while addressing the senior officers at the training session on Wednesday, 22 October 2025, highlighted the importance of training and re-training to the success of the command.“As a team, the participation of everyone is important to the overall success of this Command. To achieve excellence, you must broaden your knowledge, sharpen your skills, refresh your memory on what you already know, and remain open to innovation”. Comptroller Oshoba advised the senior officers to be conscious deliberate attempts by some traders to circumvent established Customs procedures . He said such acts make it necessary for officers to combine human intelligence with modern technology in improving risk assessment.
He called on the participants to make the most of the training by learning, interacting, and networking, while also simulating real operational scenarios to prepare for future challenges. CAC Oshoba urged the newly promoted senior officers to work harder and serve as role models to their subordinates by promoting justice, honesty, and diligence in their duties.Many of the newly promoted senior officers at the training session expressed appreciation to the management of Nigeria Custom Service and described the course as an avenue for professional growth. Assistant Comptroller Jerry Attah pointed out that:, “This is an opportunity to refresh our memories, so we can adapt properly to the dynamics of Customs operations, and perform more effectively in our areas of responsibility.”The Apapa Area Command also played host to a delegation from the African Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) who paid a courtesy visit to the Area Controller and his management team. The visits was a strategic effort at enhancing and reinforcing the importance of stakeholder collaboration.
The Zonal Coordinator, Gambo Sulaimon, pledged the support of APFFLON in the fight against illegal importation and enhanced revenue generation. “We always enlighten our members on the need to pay duty on time. We also want to ensure Comptroller Oshoba’s successful administration in meeting the Command’s revenue targets.”Comptroller Oshoba thanked the delegation for visits the visit and pointed out the need for continuous training and sensitization of freight forwarders to improve compliance and reduce sabotage against Customs Operations
