The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday, 22 September 2025, declared open its annual Public Relations Officers (PRO) Workshop in Kano, with a call on officers to embrace professionalism, innovation, and integrity in strengthening the Service’s image and fostering stakeholder confidence.
The workshop, held at the Centre of Excellence, Twin Theatres, Bayero University Kano, was declared open by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, represented by the Acting Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Enforcement, Inspection, and Investigation, Timi Bomodi.
In his keynote address, Bomodi said the Service operates at the intersection of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and national security, where effective communication is vital. He described PROs as interpreters of policy, mediators in disputes, crisis managers, and custodians of the institution’s reputation.
“Our actions may speak, but it is the voice of public relations that interprets, contextualises, and gives meaning to these actions. This workshop is therefore not just a routine exercise but a strategic investment in the Service’s future,” he stated.
The CGC noted that the workshop’s theme, “Beyond Masters of Ceremony: The Strategic Role of Public Relations Officers for Institutional Growth and Stakeholder Trust”, was timely, as it repositioned PROs from being mere event announcers to strategic players in policy communication, reputation management, and digital engagement.
He urged participants to master emerging tools such as artificial intelligence, social media, and digital analytics to combat misinformation and respond effectively to crises, stressing that professionalism was most critical in times of criticism and public doubt.
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State, represented by his Director-General of Media, Sanusi Bature, commended the Customs Service for its contributions to trade facilitation, security, and revenue generation. He described integrity and fairness as the pillars of effective PR and lauded Customs National PRO, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, for setting a benchmark in building public trust.
Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Professor Haruna Musa, also welcomed participants, assuring that the university would continue to partner with the Service in training and research.
Guest speakers, including Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) President, Ike Neliaku, and former Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, Professor Abdalla Uba Adamu, stressed the importance of strategic communication, transparency, and responsible use of social media in modern public relations.
The four-day workshop is expected to sharpen officers’ communication skills, deepen stakeholder engagement, and enhance the Customs Service’s image as a forward-looking institution.
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