The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has bid farewell to two Assistant Comptrollers-General, Mohammed Yusuf and Ibrahim Abba-Aji, following the completion of 35 years of dedicated service to the Service and the nation.
The two senior officers were honoured at a retirement ceremony attended by colleagues, friends and family members, who celebrated their contributions, sacrifices and progression through the ranks during their careers.
Deputy Comptroller-General, Finance, Administration, Technical and Support, Kikelomo Adeola, led the tributes, commending the retiring officers for their dedication and commitment to the NCS.
Adeola described retirement as a transition “from pressure to pleasure,” while wishing the two officers good health, fulfilment and a rewarding new phase of life.
Also paying tribute, DCG Trade and Tariff, Caroline Niagwan, drew on her long association with the retiring officers to appreciate their contributions to the Service. She prayed that their tomorrow would be better than their today and that retirement would bring renewed purpose and satisfaction.
As part of the ceremony, DCG Timi Bomodi presented gifts to the retiring ACGs, while commemorative cards were also presented to them by colleagues, family members and friends.
Speaking at the ceremony, ACG Mohammed Yusuf expressed gratitude to God and the management of the NCS for giving him the opportunity to serve.
Reflecting on his career, Yusuf said, “Life is transient. We never thought we’d leave one day. The good you do stays after you leave; try and discharge your jobs well.”
He also appreciated the management of the Service for improvements in the welfare of officers.
In his remarks, ACG Ibrahim Abba-Aji thanked the NCS and the Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi, for the opportunity to serve the institution and rise to the highest levels of his career.
Abba-Aji described retirement as a milestone that should be embraced, saying, “Retirement isn’t a bad thing. Congratulations to all of us for coming this far. Long live the Nigeria Customs Service.”
The ceremony marked the end of the active careers of the two ACGs after 35 years of service, with colleagues and loved ones celebrating their accomplishments and wishing them fulfilment in retirement.
The event concluded with a cake-cutting session to commemorate the completion of their 35 years of service.
