The Western Marine Customs Comptroller, Patrick Ntadi, has charged officers of the command on reputation management to enhance the trust and compliance of the trading public.
Ntadi gave the charge during a Reputation Management Cascade Training in Lagos on Tuesday.
He reminded officers that the job of customs was one of the most dignified services in Nigeria, whose duty was to work for humanity.
“”Officers should remember that we are a bridge between government and the trading public (Agents), therefore, we should never shout at any stakeholder because by doing that, it tarnishes our reputation,” he said
He commended officers for always being neatly dressed, and appealed to them to ensure that they put in their best in customs operations.
Ntadi noted that reputation management and maintaining credible professionalism were essential for Nigeria Customs Service as their operations involved trade facilitation, revenue generation and national security.
Also speaking during the training, the facilitator, a Chief Superintendent of Customs, Dauda Ibrahim, described reputation management as a shared responsibility across all levels of services, from frontline officers at the borders to administrative staff as well as management.
“As officers, you are ambassadors of the Nigeria Customs Service outside; whatever you do positively and negatively bounces back to the command.
“The Comptroller-General of Customs, and his management have decided to bring this course to ensure that officers are band by very high standards of ethics.
“An officer that is informed will be professionally balanced and can represent the service anywhere in the world”, he said.
Also, an Assistant Superintendent of Customs, Harry Ameh, spoke to officers on “The Role of the Customs Reputation Ambassador”.
He noted that as an image ambassador, officers should serve as image custodians in their respective commands.
Ameh, consequently, urged offers to imbibe seven custodian namely: controlling situations, courtesy without loss of dignity, consulting colleagues, command attention, clean hands in all respect, clear questions as well as careful examination.
He noted that a single act of misconduct could stain a thousand honest officers’ reputation, as management begins with individual accountability.
Ameh described reputation as an expensive currency for any organisation, adding that it is essential for operations of the service.
In a related development, the Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘A’, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs (ACG) Muhammed Babandede, also commended the dedication of officers towards their duties of combating smuggling.
Babadede said he was directed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, to appreciate officers for their commitment which made them surmount their revenue target for 2025.
He urged officers to redouble efforts in the new year.
He also assured officers of the Western Marine command, of the management’s decision to improve their welfare, especially in building befitting accommodations for them.
