…Launches Free Health Outreach In Daura
By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Medical Unit on Monday, 11 May 2026, commenced its 7th Annual Medical Corps Retreat in Katsina State, with a strong emphasis on operational wellbeing and improved healthcare delivery for personnel under the theme: “Operational Wellbeing: Protecting Health to Protect Borders.”
The five-day retreat is designed to strengthen the capacity of medical personnel through professional engagement, policy review, strategic planning, and knowledge sharing among stakeholders, healthcare professionals, and experts drawn from across the country.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Human Resource Development, Tijjani Abe, reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery and enhancing the welfare of its personnel. He described the retreat as a critical platform for professional interaction, exchange of ideas, and strategic policy formulation aimed at strengthening medical services within the Service.
He emphasised that a healthy workforce remains central to operational efficiency, productivity, and institutional effectiveness, noting that sustained investment in personnel wellbeing was essential to achieving organisational goals. He further assured that the Service would continue to support initiatives geared towards improving the capacity, welfare, and working conditions of medical officers across formations.
In his welcome address, the Head of the Customs Medical Unit, Comptroller of Customs Ethelbert Nnaji, expressed appreciation to the leadership of the Service for its consistent support in strengthening the healthcare system of the NCS. He noted that the annual retreat provides an avenue to evaluate the performance of the Medical Corps and develop actionable recommendations to enhance service delivery.
Comptroller Nnaji explained that the choice of Katsina State as host for the retreat was informed by the extensive operational presence of Customs in the state, as well as the need to deepen engagement with host communities for more effective service delivery. He also disclosed that a free medical outreach would be conducted in Daura as part of the Service’s corporate social responsibility initiatives.
He added that the retreat would also explore innovative healthcare delivery models, including orthodox practices and technological solutions aimed at bringing quality medical services closer to officers across all operational environments.
Declaring the retreat open, the Governor of Katsina State, Umar Dikko Radda, represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Musa Adamu Funtua, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for prioritising the health and welfare of its personnel. He described the initiative as a reflection of people-centred leadership and institutional responsibility.
He also acknowledged the strong collaboration between the NCS and the Katsina State Government, while appreciating health experts and facilitators from institutions including Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital and other partner organisations for their contributions to the retreat.
In a vote of thanks, the Zonal Coordinator, Zone “B”, Nsikan Umoh, expressed gratitude to the Katsina State Government, Customs leadership, participants, and stakeholders for their support in ensuring the success of the programme.
The retreat featured several technical paper presentations by health experts aimed at enhancing professional competence and improving healthcare delivery within the Customs Medical Corps. Senior officers, Customs Area Controllers from various formations under Zone “B”, medical professionals, and other stakeholders were in attendance.
The programme is expected to culminate in a large-scale free medical outreach in Daura, Katsina State, alongside visits to selected health facilities for benchmarking and performance assessment.
