The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Friday honoured retiring Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Dera Nnadi, and Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Kingsley Egwu, with a ceremonial Pulling-Out Parade in recognition of their decades of distinguished service to the nation.
The ceremony, held at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College in Gwagwalada, drew members of the Customs management team, senior officers, colleagues and well-wishers who gathered to celebrate the retiring officers’ contributions to the Service.
Speaking at the event, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the occasion provided an opportunity for the Service to acknowledge the professionalism, dedication and institutional impact of the two senior officers.
Represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Training and Doctrine Command, Sulaiman Chiroma, the CGC noted that careers in the Service are defined not only by the ranks attained but also by the values officers uphold and the legacy they leave behind.
“This parade is not only a ceremonial farewell but also an opportunity for the Nigeria Customs Service to appreciate the professionalism, discipline and dedication demonstrated by these officers throughout their years of service,” he said.
Adeniyi described Nnadi as a seasoned officer who served in several strategic commands where the core mandates of revenue generation, trade facilitation and border security intersect.
According to him, Nnadi’s years in service were marked by professionalism and a strong sense of duty, while his intellectual contributions enriched policy discussions on Customs modernisation and Nigeria’s participation in continental trade initiatives.
“He brought intellectual depth to strategic conversations within the Service and also played an important mentoring role for younger officers,” the CGC said.
The Customs boss also commended Egwu for his role in advancing administrative reforms within the Service, particularly through the adoption of technology to enhance transparency and operational efficiency.
“His contributions helped lay the foundation for several automated systems that are now supporting the Service’s operations,” Adeniyi noted.
He further recalled Egwu’s tenure as the 10th Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, stating that his emphasis on discipline, knowledge and ethical conduct helped shape the training and development of many Customs officers.
In his response, Nnadi expressed gratitude to God and the Service for the opportunity to serve the nation, describing his career as one defined by dedication and commitment to the institutional mandates of the NCS.
“My journey in the Service has been defined by dedication, learning and commitment to revenue generation, trade facilitation and border security,” he said.
He noted that the successes recorded during his career were the result of teamwork and shared professional values among officers of the Service.
Nnadi also urged serving officers to remain disciplined and adaptable, stressing that the evolving nature of global trade requires Customs administrations to continuously strengthen their operational and policy frameworks.
“The evolving trade environment demands innovation, modernisation and stronger institutional capacity,” he added.
Also speaking, Egwu described his more than three decades in the Service as both demanding and rewarding.
“My career in the Nigeria Customs Service has been a journey of learning, growth and collaboration with dedicated colleagues,” he said.
He paid tribute to officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, describing them as heroes whose sacrifices contributed to national security.
Egwu urged serving officers to uphold integrity and remain committed to their responsibilities, noting that leadership positions are temporary but reputations built on integrity endure.
“Public service is a privilege that must be carried with honour,” he said.
The ceremony featured tributes from colleagues and the presentation of honours to celebrate the retiring officers’ years of service and contributions to the development of the Nigeria Customs Service.
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