By Nkechi Eze
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has stated that customs is winning in both sports and revenue generation. He disclosed this Saturday 1 March 2025, at the event of the International Day for Military Sports Run, marked annually by the International Military Sports Council (CISM), which aims to foster unity, collaboration, and shared principles of sportsmanship among military personnel worldwide.
CISM provides a platform for the country’s military personnel to come together, promote physical fitness, and showcase their athletic prowess.
This year’s celebration, held in Abuja, brought together military personnel, paramilitary, and other security forces to participate in a 5-kilometer walk/run, emphasizing the importance of fitness in their line of duty and the “Friendship Through Sports” values of CISM/OSMA.
The custom boss while speaking to journalists noted that participating in sports can have a profound positive impact on individuals.
“Engaging in sporting activities helps instill essential values like discipline, teamwork, and strategic thinking.
He emphasized that the service acknowledges the mental and physical prowess of sportsmen, which enables them to excel in various areas, including revenue generation, combating smuggling, and other challenges.
“Every sportsman is mentally and physically fit. Hence why we promote all of these ideals in customs, so that we are not just winning in terms of revenue generation or fighting smuggling, we win in all fronts.
“We are trying to invest as much as we can in sports development, and I am glad that we’re getting results, I was quite delighted when we got this invite to join our colleagues to celebrate.” He said.
Bashir noted that beyond the physical activity of running/walking, they have gained valuable social benefits. He expressed his delight and satisfaction with the investments they have made in sports, both individually and in partnership with others.
“Beyond the five kilometer walk, we have received comradeship, networking and friendship and so we are indeed very, very delighted for all the investments we’ve done in sports within ourselves and the ones we do in collaboration with other stakeholders.” He said
According to him, the customs service has been consistently and strategically developing its sports programs with the ultimate goal of rivaling the military’s athletic prowess in the not-too-distant future, thereby fostering a spirit of healthy competition and excellence between the two institutions.
Earlier in his address, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, emphasized importance of military personnel, paramilitary, and other security forces maintaining a high level of physical, mental, and overall fitness.
Represented by Rear Adm. Joseph Akpan, Chief of Defence Administration, the CDS issued a call to action to military personnel, paramilitary, and other security forces to keep the flag flying and maintain fitness.
“Let me remind us, especially those of us who wear uniform, military, paramilitary, that for us to remain fit, we must indeed imbibe the attitude of doing personal sport.
“As we serve in the utmost duty to bring peace to our dear nation, sports helps you to remain physically, mentally and otherwise, fit.
“Let us also remember that as we are gathered here, we have our brothers in arms, members of the armed forces and other paramilitary services that are currently involved in one conflict or the other. We remember them today as they serve in that utmost duty to bring peace to our dear nation.” He said.
Highlights of the event was the presentation of awards to dignitaries.
