Customs CG Gets “Public Service Person of the Year” Award

Oluwakemi Kindness

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi has been awarded the “Public Service Person of the Year 2024”.

The award which recognises his performance as Customs CG, was presented to him at the 17th edition of the Leadership Conference and Awards in Abuja.

A statement on Wednesday by Customs spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada, the Leadership Group, organisers of the event, states Adeniyi was selected after a process that assessed over ten top-performing government officials.

According to the media organisation, the award was given for Adeniyi’s “transformative leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), ushering in a new era of transparency, operational efficiency, and improved revenue generation that has significantly contributed to Nigeria’s economic stability.”

Adeniyi, accompanied by his wife, Kikelomo Adeniyi, and senior NCS officers, expressed his appreciation for the award and pledged to enhance trade facilitation, revenue generation, and the prevention of smuggling.

While accepting the award, Adeniyi credited the NCS personnel. He states that the recognition would motivate further reform and innovation within the service.

“This award is not just about me; it reflects the collective commitment to transparency, efficiency, and national development,” he says.

Adeniyi reiterates his commitment to modernization, trade facilitation, and revenue enhancement, emphasizing leadership with integrity and accountability. He also highlightes the importance of border management for national security.

The CGC was recognised alongside Aliko Dangote, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, state governors, including Umo Eno (Akwa-Ibom), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Bala Mohamed (Bauchi), and Abba Yusuf (Kano State), senators, and private sector representatives.