Customs Service Vows to Back Prestigious National Merit Honour

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The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, has pledged the agency’s continued support for the Nigerian National Merit Award, describing the institution as a vital platform for recognising excellence and inspiring future generations of Nigerians.

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Adeniyi made the commitment during a courtesy visit by the Acting Secretary of the Nigerian National Merit Award, Mercy Musa, and members of the agency’s management team to the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, according to a statement issued by the Nigeria Customs Service on Sunday.

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The Nigerian National Merit Award is the country’s highest honour for intellectual and academic excellence. Established in 1979, it recognises Nigerians who have made exceptional contributions to national development through scholarship, research, innovation and professional accomplishments.

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The Customs boss said institutions that identify and reward outstanding achievements deserve broad national support, stressing that recognising excellence was essential to promoting innovation, hard work and national development.

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“What we are doing is so important because we want the younger generations of Nigerians to know that there is no shortcut to greatness. They have to put in hard work and commitment. When a government agency recognises discoveries, innovations and excellence, it deserves the support of all Nigerians,” the statement quoted the Customs’ CG as saying.

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He added that the NCS had supported the award office in the past and would continue to explore lawful means of strengthening the partnership.

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“The Service had supported the Award Office in the past and would explore available lawful avenues to provide further opportunities to support the agency’s operations as partners,” he was quoted to have added.

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Speaking during the visit, the Acting Secretary of the NNMA, Mercy Musa, congratulated Adeniyi on the extension of his tenure as Comptroller-General of Customs and his recent election as Chairman of the World Customs Organisation Council.

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She attributed the milestones to his dedication and commitment to public service.

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Musa also highlighted the significance of the National Merit Award, noting that it remains Nigeria’s foremost recognition for intellectual and professional excellence.

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She said that since the award’s establishment in 1979, only 79 Nigerians have received the prestigious honour, underscoring its exclusivity and rigorous selection process.

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Adeniyi’s pledge comes as the Nigeria Customs Service continues to broaden its engagement with institutions involved in national development beyond its core responsibilities of revenue generation, trade facilitation and border security.

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In recent years, the Service has intensified collaborations with public institutions, international organisations and private sector stakeholders as part of efforts to strengthen governance, institutional capacity and national development initiatives.

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