Retired Customs officers reunite in Lagos for End-of-Year Get -Together

….. Honour ANLCA BoT, Taiwo Mustapha, Emenike, others

Retired Customs officers under the aegis of the Association of Retired Senior Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (ARSONCS), Lagos Chapter, on Thursday reunited as it celebrated its end-of-year get-together to mark the close of 2025.

The well- attended event held at the Customs Training College, Ikeja provided opportunity for senior officers, who have been out of service for years, to celebrate, reunite with old friends, and rekindle camaraderie.

The event drew a host of prominent retired officers, including Deputy Comptroller General (DCG) Austen Warikoru, DCG G. T. Aliu ACG Tunji Aremu, Comptroller Olu Ogunojemite, ACG Dr. Kofo Olugbesan, Comptroller Dr. Christopher Banye, Comptroller J. F Brigue, Comptroller S. A Alanamu, ACG Jejelaiye Afolayan, and Compt. Saratu Shabba, among others.

Smiles beamed across the event centre as the senior officers embraced and shared memories.

The gathering was also graced by serving officers and licensed customs agents including Chairman BoT, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents ( ANLCA), Taiwo Mustapha, and board member, Ademola Mumuney, who represented the ANLCA President, Sir Emenike Nwokeoji.

Speaking at the event, Zonal Coordinator in charge of Zone A, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs ACG Muhammed Babandede who represented the Comptroller General of Customs lauded the association for providing a platform for retired officers to reunite and stay connected with the Service.

He told the retirees that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) they handed over is now a technologically advanced institution.

He said, “This association is our collective association. In as much as you’ve joined the Service, definitely the finishing line is waiting for you. I want to assure you on behalf of the Comptroller General that the Customs you handed over to us is a Customs service that you should be proud of because the NCS today is number one Service when it comes to automation. All our processes, procedures are fully automated.”

Babandede charged the retired officers to take advantage of the healthcare system put in place by the Service, promising support: “We have a healthcare system; the association can reach out to the headquarters so that retirees can benefit from the healthcare system.”

In his remarks, the association’s Chairman, G. T. Aliu, urged serving officers to prepare to join ARSONCS upon retirement, emphasizing the value of staying connected.

“The joy of every officer is to retire honourably and join. But the problem we have is when you retire you forget the association. It shouldn’t be like that,” he said, calling for more commitment from retired officers to elevate the association’s profile.

On his part, the Chairman of the planning committee and Secretary of the association, Compt. Olu Ogunojemite acknowledged the dedication of the association’s founding fathers and mothers since inception in 1993.

“Our gathering today is in fulfillment of the provision of our Constitution as stipulated in Section 13, which directs that the last Thursday in the month of November should be used not just for our usual monthly meeting but for felicitations,” he explained.

He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to hold the event, noting: “We have not been able to have this gathering since 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“However, we are grateful to God for sharing our lives and giving us the opportunity to be here today, ”

The evening, which was designated as a “day for merriment and social interaction included a minute of silence held in honour of members who passed away during the course of the year.

A major highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to some distinguished guests, including Chairman BoT, ANLCA, Taiwo Mustapha and President of ANLCA, Emenike Nwokeoji.

Others are serving officers and esteemed members of the association namely Compt. M. T. Awe, Compt. Н. H. Haddison, Compt. Joy E. Edelduok, Compt. Frank Onyeka, Compt. Joe Anani, ACG Mohammed Shuaibu, DC Umah Ahmed, and DC A. Ahmed, among others – all recognised for their leadership, service, and support to ARSONCS.

Photo caption:

ACG Muhammed Babandede receiving an award from ACG Jejelaiye Afolayan ( Rtd) in recognition of his dedication to Service at the Customs’ Retirees End-of-Year party in Lagos on Thursday.