Double Celebration at Lagos Free Trade Zone Command as Customs Officers Receive Promotions and International Customs Day is Marked
The Lagos Free Trade Zone Command was abuzz with excitement on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, as the command celebrated two significant events: International Customs Day and the decoration of newly promoted officers. The ceremony, which took place at the command's headquarters, was attended by sister government agencies, key stakeholders, families, and friends of the promoted officers.
Comptroller Olanrewaju Abdul Wahab Olumoh, the Customs Area Controller of the Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, welcomed guests and delivered a keynote address.
He highlighted the significance of International Customs Day, which is celebrated annually on January 26. According to Olumoh, the day provides an opportunity to recognize the dedicated Customs workforce and further highlight the roles Customs administrations in member nations play in achieving the goals of the World Customs Organization (WCO).
Olumoh noted that the Lagos Free Trade Zone Command is directly relevant to the realization of the aspirations of the WCO. "Within the last one year, the command has been working assiduously towards supporting the drives of the Comptroller-General of Customs, by leveraging on existing provisions to advance the cause of the service, to promote trade and investment for the growth of the nation's economy, and enhancing shared prosperity between Nigeria, investors, and international trading partners," he disclosed.
The Customs Area Controller also praised the Comptroller-General of Customs for his enormous support in boosting the command's productivity and operational efficiency. "A large number of our cargoes in the port and free zones are being scanned, making cargo clearance faster in this corridor," Olumoh said. "Our port is blessed with fixed, mobile, and gantry scanners, currently the best of its kind in the country. This has significantly reduced clearance time, minimized delays that may be associated with physical inspections, and brought about increased efficiency in our operations."
Olumoh further highlighted the command's commitment to security, stating that it is a collective responsibility that requires collaboration with other agencies. He noted that the command successfully intercepted three containers of illicit drugs and unauthorized pharmaceutical products last year, thanks to credible intelligence gathered by the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) and strategic partnerships with notable agencies like the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The ceremony also featured the decoration of newly promoted officers, who were urged by Olumoh to see their elevation as a call to service and an opportunity to renew their commitment to the Nigeria Customs Service. "Promotion is a continuous exercise," Olumoh said. "It is my heartfelt prayer that those who did not get it now should not relent, as they will, by the grace of God, get it the next time. What is important is long life, good health, perseverance, steadfastness, and faith in God."
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from the Customs Area Controller, who reassured investors and stakeholders of the command's readiness to provide full support in all their legitimate operations towards the overall benefit of Nigeria and their businesses. The ceremony was a testament to the command's commitment to excellence and its dedication to promoting trade, investment, and national prosperity.
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