The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has called for stronger collaboration and unity among Customs administrations in the West and Central Africa region, emphasizing the need to prioritize shared interests over national differences.
Adeniyi made the appeal during the World Customs Organisation’s West and Central Africa (WCO-WCA) Donor Conference Cultural Night-Out and Dinner, at the Customs Headquarters, Abuja.
The event, which brought together delegates, donors, and stakeholders from across the region, was part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships under the auspices of the World Customs Organization’s West and Central Africa bloc.
The CG further disclosed that the gathering was not just about cultural celebration, but a reinforcement of the spirit of integration that should characterize customs operations, regional security cooperation, and economic growth and development.
He noted that Customs services across the region have shared challenges and interdependent roles in trade facilitation, anti-smuggling operations, and revenue generation, underscoring the necessity of mutual cooperation.
The Customs Boss highlighted the importance of fostering integration and solidarity among member countries.
”What unites us is far greater than what divides us. We must focus on these commonalities and resist the external influences that sometimes threaten our cohesion.
“We must cultivate a deeper spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding, he added.
The cultural evening featured traditional music, dance performances, and other artistic showcases representing the vibrant heritage of participating countries. It also provided a space for networking and fostering stronger institutional relationships.
The event was held on the sidelines of the ongoing WCO WCA Donor Conference, which continues to spotlight areas of reform, modernization, and capacity-building within the region’s Customs systems.
