By Bon Peters, Port Harcourt
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced its 2026 Public Relations Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with a renewed commitment to strengthening collaboration with the media as part of efforts to enhance transparency, public trust and institutional effectiveness.
The conference, themed “Realigning Corporate Communication as a Strategic Driver of Institutional Effectiveness and Public Trust,” began with a media parley that brought together Public Relations Officers from Customs Commands across the country and journalists from the South-South and South-East regions.
Speaking on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Acting Assistant Comptroller-General in charge of Zone C, Pascal Chibuoke, described the media engagement as timely and strategic, noting that it would further consolidate the long-standing partnership between the Service and the media.
He commended journalists for their commitment to objective and responsible reporting, describing the media as indispensable partners in promoting transparency, accountability and national development.
Chibuoke also praised the Comptroller-General for approving the conference, saying it reflected the Service’s commitment to openness, stakeholder engagement and institutional reforms.
He equally lauded the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, for his proactive leadership and innovative communication strategy, which he said has enhanced public understanding of the Nigeria Customs Service’s statutory responsibilities.
In his remarks, Maiwada said the media parley was organised to deepen the existing relationship between the Nigeria Customs Service and the media, stressing that journalists remain critical partners in communicating government policies, Customs procedures, trade regulations and stakeholder engagement initiatives to the public.
According to him, the platform was designed to strengthen professionalism, encourage constructive dialogue and foster greater collaboration between the Customs Service and the media.
He acknowledged the media’s role in projecting the activities, reforms and challenges of the Service, urging journalists to continue promoting balanced and factual reporting that supports economic growth, border security and national development.
Earlier, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Chief Superintendent of Customs Emmanuel Tangwa, welcomed participants and described the media parley as a demonstration of the Service’s commitment to transparency, professionalism and stakeholder engagement.
He commended the Acting ACG, Zone C, Pascal Chibuoke, for his support in hosting what he described as a historic edition of the conference in Rivers State.
Tangwa noted that the South-South and South-East remain strategic hubs for Nigeria’s maritime and trade activities, making Port Harcourt a fitting host for the conference.
He emphasised that in an era of rapid information dissemination, transparency has become a necessity, adding that the Customs Service places high value on its partnership with the media.
“We value your partnership and encourage the sustenance of factual, balanced and developmental journalism that promotes the national interest,” he said.
Also speaking, the Customs Area Controller, Area I Command, Port Harcourt, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, described effective communication as essential to building public confidence in government institutions.
She urged journalists to continue supporting the Service through fair, accurate and professional reporting, stressing that trust can only be sustained through openness, professionalism and mutual respect.
Goodwill messages were delivered by Apostle Tony Nzekwe of Global Rays Magazine on behalf of maritime journalists in Zone C, and the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, Paul Bazia.
The event also featured an interactive question-and-answer session during which the National Public Relations Officer, DC Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada; Acting Controller of Eastern Marine Command, DC Esien Essiet; and Assistant Comptroller M.A. Haruna, representing the Controller of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone C, provided clarifications on various Customs operations.
Among those in attendance were the Customs Area Controller of Area 5 Command, Ibeto Seaport and Terminals, Comptroller Usman Yahaya; Customs Comptrollers from Zone C; Public Relations Officers from Commands nationwide; media executives, publishers, senior correspondents and reporters.
The four-day conference is expected to conclude on Friday with resolutions aimed at strengthening the Service’s communication strategy and reinforcing public confidence in the Nigeria Customs Service.
