The customs area comptroller of the Western Marine command, Patrick Ntadi, has honoured two officers for outstanding performance in 2025.

Superintendent of customs Morris Okauru received the Excellent Award, while deputy assistant comptroller Okechukwu Okere was honoured with the Discipline Award.

Mr Ntadi presented the awards on Wednesday at the command’s premises in Lagos.

Mr Ntadi urged officers to give their best to the service, saying dedication would attract recognition and appropriate rewards.

He commended customs management for recognising the Western Marine command as Best Performing Command, alongside the Excellent Award in 2025.

Mr Ntadi praised officers who stayed away from their families for months, pledging enhanced motivation to enable greater commitment to duty.

The Apapa customs area comptroller, Emmanuel Oshoba, thanked Mr Ntadi for the opportunity to address officers of the command.

Mr Oshoba stressed discipline, saying officers should embrace self-discipline rather than wait to be corrected by others.

“I urge you to see posting as a transition, not punishment,” Mr Oshoba said, encouraging officers to adapt positively to redeployments.

He advised officers to use the World Customs Organisation Click platform for continuous training and improved professional relevance.

“The Click platform offers international-standard training anytime, ensuring officers remain relevant to the service and Nigeria,” he said.

Mr Oshoba noted that Customs operations follow international standards, warning that officers who neglect knowledge development would stagnate professionally. He urged officers to add value to themselves and the service while cultivating healthy working relationships across all ranks.

Mr Oshoba further encouraged officers to consult experienced colleagues to deepen their understanding of customs operations.

PTML customs area comptroller, Joe Anani, urged officers to dress well and improve their operational knowledge.

Mr Anani stressed the importance of collaboration, saying it would enhance trade facilitation and strengthen efforts to curb smuggling nationwide.

Similarly, Tin Can Island Port comptroller, Frank Onyeka, urged officers to give their best for the service’s continuous progress.

Ms Onyeka said long-standing professional relationships had helped their advancement, encouraging officers to be good ambassadors of the Nigeria Customs Service.

(NAN)