The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Zone C, Port Harcourt, has honoured its Zonal Coordinator, Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Pascal Chibuoke, and five Comptrollers at a send-forth ceremony marking their retirement from active service.
The colourful ceremony, held at the zonal office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, attracted serving officers, government agencies, industry stakeholders and other dignitaries who gathered to celebrate the retirees’ contributions to the Service and the nation.
The retirees are ACG Pascal Chibuoke, Zonal Coordinator, Zone C; Comptroller BA Balogun, Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone C; Comptroller Blessing Iheanacho, Imo/Abia Area Command; Comptroller J. Kanu, Edo/Delta Area Command; Comptroller OM Omisore, PCA Zone C; and Comptroller FA Bodunde, Enugu/Anambra Area Command.
They retired after completing their respective periods of service.
In her welcome address, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, PhD, expressed appreciation to the guests, sister agencies, stakeholders and well-wishers for honouring the retirees.
She described the event as an opportunity to celebrate distinguished careers, recognise valuable contributions and acknowledge the dedication of officers who had devoted years to national service.
Atuluku paid special tribute to Chibuoke, highlighting his contributions to the zone during his tenure as Zonal Coordinator.
She said his experience, sense of responsibility and commitment to duty made his tenure a significant part of his career, adding that his ability to provide direction, engage colleagues and work with stakeholders had left valuable experience and knowledge within the zone.
The CAC also commended the other retired Comptrollers for their leadership, discipline and commitment to the responsibilities entrusted to them.
“Today, we acknowledge their sacrifice and celebrate the legacy they have established. To our esteemed retirees, you have completed your years of active service. Your contributions and the memories of your service will continue to speak for you,” she said.
In his valedictory speech, Chibuoke expressed gratitude to Almighty God for granting him the strength, wisdom and protection to serve the country through the Nigeria Customs Service.
He also thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Service’s management, his colleagues, officers and men for their cooperation and support throughout his career.
The retired ACG equally appreciated industry stakeholders for their collaboration in facilitating trade and supporting the Service in the discharge of its statutory responsibilities.
“My journey in the Service has been a memorable one, filled with challenges, lessons, achievements and valuable relationships,” he said.
Chibuoke expressed satisfaction with his years in service and urged serving officers to uphold the values of discipline, integrity, professionalism and dedication to duty.
“As I bow out of active service, I do so with pride and satisfaction, trusting that the officers coming behind us will continue to uphold the values of discipline, integrity, professionalism and dedication to duty,” he stated.
Delivering the goodwill message, Comptroller Grace Edebeatu described the ceremony as a celebration of professionalism, dedication and selfless service to the nation.
She congratulated Chibuoke and the other retired Comptrollers, noting that their contributions extended beyond customs enforcement and border protection to institution-building, mentoring officers and strengthening professional relationships.
According to her, retirement should not be seen as the end of relevance but as the beginning of a new chapter in which experience becomes wisdom and achievements inspire future generations.
Edebeatu urged serving officers to draw lessons from the retirees’ careers and remain committed to excellence, integrity and professionalism.
She added that although the retirees had left active service, their contributions would remain part of the institutional history of the Nigeria Customs Service.
The event also featured the presentation of awards to the retirees in recognition of their service and contributions.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were representatives of the Calabar Command, Acting Customs Area Controller Nkiru Nwala, PhD, and the Federal Operations Unit, Zone C, represented by Assistant Comptroller MA Haruna.
The Zonal Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs AH Dzungwene, expressed satisfaction with the ceremony and called on stakeholders and the media to continue publicising the activities and achievements of the zone.
In his closing remarks, Deputy Comptroller Chinwe Onyeso commended the officers and men of the Service, alongside critical stakeholders, for contributing to the success of the event.
Onyeso urged the retirees to remain good ambassadors of the Nigeria Customs Service wherever their next phase of life takes them.
Meanwhile, some stakeholders who spoke to the press commended the retirees for their service to the NCS and called on the zone to sustain collaboration with industry players to facilitate trade and strengthen stakeholder relations.
