The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday bade farewell to Deputy Comptroller-General (DCG) Dera Nnadi, who retired after 34 years of service marked by integrity, mentorship, and dedication to national development.
The farewell ceremony, which was held at the Customs Training and Doctrine College, attracted senior officers of the NCS, representatives from the military, police, paramilitary agencies, and distinguished guests from across the country.
In his farewell speech, DCG Nnadi recounted his journey from a young officer at Customs Training College in Ikeja to a senior leader at the apex training institute of the NCS. He described the Service as his “second home” and emphasized the role of the Customs uniform in shaping his life.
“I started this journey over three decades ago with a simple dream to wear the uniform. Today, I can say with certainty that the NCS gave me discipline, purpose, lifelong friendships, and moments of pride,” he said.
DCG Nnadi highlighted the Service’s evolution, noting the shift from manual documentation to automation and the adoption of intelligence-driven enforcement methods. He praised his colleagues for their collaboration in facing cross-border challenges, policy changes, and public scrutiny while upholding the NCS mandate.
He also expressed deep gratitude to his family, acknowledging the sacrifices made by his spouse, children, and loved ones over the years. He commended his mentors, colleagues, and NCS stakeholders for their support, noting that his achievements were the result of collective effort and teamwork.
Addressing younger officers, he urged them to protect the integrity of the uniform, embrace technology, and uphold good character. Senior officers were encouraged to mentor with emotional intelligence, while stakeholders were reminded of the importance of voluntary compliance.
DCG Nnadi concluded his speech by pledging continued support as an ambassador of the Nigeria Customs Service and praying for the growth and success of the Service and the nation.
His retirement marks the end of a distinguished career that has left a lasting legacy of professionalism, integrity, and dedication to service in the NCS.
