The stage is set for the Nigerian Maritime Journalists (NMJ) to present the “Iconic Maritime Personality of the Year 2024” award to the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR.
The decision to honor CG Adeniyi was a unanimous one among Nigerian maritime media practitioners, including journalists from print, electronic, and online media, and is supported by various maritime associations such as the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), League of Maritime Editors (LOME), Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON), Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN), Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN), Online Maritime Media Association of Nigeria (OMMAN), and Congress of Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CONMMEP).
These media professionals recognize CG Adeniyi for his outstanding leadership since assuming office as the Customs CG, particularly in areas such as revenue collection, anti-smuggling efforts, trade facilitation, national security, staff welfare, inter-agency collaboration, infrastructural development, ICT advancements, and corporate social responsibility.
In a nomination letter addressed to the CGC, Mr. Innocent Orok, Secretary of the Award Planning Committee, praised his transformative impact on the NCS, stating: “You have redeemed and repositioned the Service in all areas… Your record-breaking achievements have earned both national and international recognition, contributing to the growth and reputation of the NCS and Nigeria as a whole.”
Orok further highlighted that the CG’s exceptional service had already garnered accolades such as the Leadership Newspaper Group’s Public Service Personality of the Year award.
For his part, Dele Aderibegbe, Chairman of the Award Planning Committee, emphasized that this award comes at a crucial time during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He noted that it symbolizes the importance of focused leadership in driving Nigeria’s economy forward and that this is the first time all maritime journalists have united to honor a deserving individual from the maritime sub-sector.
Aderibegbe added that the award also reflects the NCS’s leadership under Adeniyi, noting its success in international engagement, revenue generation, anti-smuggling efforts, modernization, ICT development, and inter-agency collaboration.
The award ceremony will take place on Thursday, 16th January 2025, at 12 noon at the Apapa Port Customs Command Auditorium. Special guests, including heads of other government agencies and maritime stakeholders, are invited to attend this historic event.