By Ayomide Otitoju
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has called on officers and stakeholders to uphold the values of service, discipline, and charity during the holy month of Ramadan and beyond.
Adeniyi made this appeal on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, during a grand Iftar event organized by Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) Limited at the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, the event gathered hundreds of senior and junior officers alongside stakeholders from various organizations, providing a platform for reflection on the significance of Ramadan and the importance of giving back to society.
In his address, Adeniyi emphasized the role of piety, self-discipline, and devotion in fostering a deeper sense of empathy for the less privileged. “Charity teaches us to care for those in need. Beyond personal devotion and discipline, fasting allows us to experience, even momentarily, the daily struggles of those who cannot afford basic sustenance,” he remarked.
He further noted the unique spiritual alignment between Ramadan and Lent, highlighting how the simultaneous observance of both fasting periods by Muslims and Christians fosters a shared experience of sacrifice and reflection. “For the second or third consecutive year, Ramadan coincides with Lent. This presents an opportunity for all of us to engage in self-discipline and understand the hardships faced by the underprivileged. It is a time to think about our communities and our responsibilities toward them,” he stated.
The CGC also linked these principles of selflessness and service to the Nigeria Customs Service’s newly launched Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, ‘Customs Cares.’ The programme focuses on community development, education, healthcare, and social investments.
“What we are doing today serves as a stepping stone for our broader vision—the launch of our Corporate Social Responsibility programme. In the true spirit of Ramadan and Lent, I encourage everyone to embrace service to humanity as a guiding principle. This reflects who we are as an organization,” Adeniyi declared.
Reaffirming the NCS’s dual mandate of national duty and social responsibility, he urged officers to see their roles as extending beyond revenue collection and border security to positively impacting their communities. “We are called the Nigeria Customs Service. Our duties go beyond trade enforcement; we must also serve our communities. Let us adopt this mindset not only during Ramadan and Lent but as an enduring part of our work ethic,” he added.
Adeniyi expressed his appreciation to TMP Chairman Saleh Ahmadu and his team for organizing the event, commending the serene atmosphere created for the Iftar. He prayed for divine blessings, peace, and prosperity for Nigeria, wishing all officers and stakeholders many more Ramadan seasons in good health.
“May Almighty Allah grant us the opportunity to witness many more Ramadan seasons. We pray for a better Nigeria, where our collective acts of service contribute to a more compassionate and united nation,” he concluded.
In his remarks, TMP Chairman Saleh Ahmadu thanked attendees for honoring the invitation and prayed for abundant blessings upon all present.
