By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) has expressed the need for enhanced partnership with the media to boost public awareness, border security communication, and national development across the country.
The remark was made during the Service’s Zone B Media Parley held in Kano with the theme: “Building Synergy Between the Media and Customs for Enhanced Stakeholders Awareness and National Development.”
In his address at the occasion, the Acting Customs Controller of the Kano/Katsina Area Command, Usman Adamu, described the engagement as a strategic platform for deepening cooperation between the service and journalists.
According to Adamu, the mass media plays a critical role in informing citizens about the service’s activities and policies, while appreciating the support the Kano/Katsina Command has been receiving from media practitioners.
Also speaking at the event,the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, said effective communication and strategic collaboration remain essential to the success of customs operations and efficient public service delivery across the country.
Maiwada, therefore,expressed the service’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the media to enhance public awareness, transparency and national development.
He described the media as a critical partner in promoting accountability, public enlightenment and constructive national discourse.
The Customs Chief Image Maker explained that the interactive session was organised to deepen journalists’ understanding of customs operations, trade facilitation tools and fiscal policies.
He said previous training sessions held in Abuja exposed gaps in the understanding of customs terminologies among journalists, hence the need for sustained capacity building.
He said the initiative would equip journalists with the knowledge required to properly inform the public and effectively monitor the activities of the service.
“The media plays a vital role in nation-building through public enlightenment, promotion of accountability and constructive dialogue,” Maiwada said.
He then highlighted the ongoing reforms within the service, particularly in trade modernisation and information technology development aimed at improving operational efficiency.
He disclosed that journalists would be taken on guided tours to witness technological advancements being implemented by the service in line with global best practices.