IPRA lauds customs revenue collection initiative

The International Public Relations Association has said that the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has boosted revenue generation of the service, among others, in his first 100 days in office.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Secretary-General of IPRA, Philip Sheppard, stated that last week when the Nigeria Customs Service received the prestigious Golden World Award for Crisis Communication from the IPRA.

The award, recognising NCS’s outstanding public relations efforts, was presented during a grand ceremony in Belgrade, Serbia.

Adeniyi received the award on behalf of the NCS from IPRA President Nataša Pavlović Bujas.

The recognition came from the “100 Days of Impactful PR at Customs Service” campaign.

Sheppard praised Adeniyi’s leadership, describing it as a critical factor in the campaign’s success.

“Within just 100 days in office, the campaign led by Wale Adeniyi not only strengthened stakeholder collaboration and significantly improved border security but also resulted in a notable boost in revenue generation. Moreover, it instilled a renewed sense of optimism and hope for the future within the organization,” Sheppard stated.

Earlier, the CGC highlighted the campaign’s impact, noting how it addressed critical challenges during his first 100 days in office.

“The campaign was about crisis communication. The entry submitted during this period was recognised as the best, from the perspective of addressing the campaign’s challenges, its impact, and the positive outcomes we have seen,” Adeniyi added.

He explained that the NCS campaign, which triumphed in the crisis management category, showcased its ability to effectively navigate the operational difficulties at the time.

According to Adeniyi, the initiative fostered more vital collaboration with critical stakeholders, enhanced border security measures, and drove significant improvements in revenue generation.

The CGC mentioned that the recognition of NCS’s campaign underscored the service’s commitment to aligning its activities with international standards of communication and governance.

He maintained that by leveraging strategic public relations, the NCS had fostered greater awareness and compliance with customs reforms while reinforcing its role in promoting national security and economic development.

The Golden World Awards, established in 1990, celebrate excellence in public relations across a broad range of categories.

Adeniyi reaffirmed the service’s dedication to maintaining open communication channels with its partners.

“Our focus remains on strengthening our relationship with both traditional and new stakeholders through continued strategic communication efforts,” he stated, emphasising the importance of listening to and addressing the concerns of those engaged with the NCS.