Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Tuesday held a surprise send-forth ceremony in honour of its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) Isah Sulaiman, who has been redeployed to the Apapa Area Command.
The event, held at the Officers’ Mess, also doubled as a retirement celebration for the Head of the Scanning Unit, Deputy Comptroller Audu Samson Edime.
Sulaiman, who assumed duty as the Command’s spokesperson on February 7, 2025, received glowing tributes from sister security agencies, officers of the Command and media practitioners, all of whom praised his professionalism, humility and commitment to duty.
Senior officers representing security agencies along the Lagos–Seme Corridor described him as “an image maker per excellence” whose approach to inter-agency relations was grounded in mutual respect and ethical conduct.
They said his dynamic style of communication significantly strengthened cooperation among agencies and stakeholders, adding that he would be fondly remembered for his coordination, passion and warm disposition.
Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Wale Adenuga, said Sulaiman was one of the finest PROs within the Service and a key support pillar during his leadership at the Command.
“I will truly miss you. You made my job easier, and I have enjoyed working with you,” Adenuga said. “He should have left for Apapa earlier, but I insisted he remain so I could stabilise. If I had my way, I would cancel his transfer.”
The Comptroller also commended officers of the Command, sister agencies and the media for their cooperation, noting that collective support had contributed significantly to the Command’s improved revenue performance.
Members of the press described Sulaiman as a “journalist’s delight,” known for his accessibility and professionalism. They pledged to maintain the cordial relationship in his new posting at Apapa.
In an emotional response, Sulaiman said the celebration was deeply humbling, being the first time he was honoured openly for his work before stakeholders. He credited Comptroller Adenuga for laying the foundation for his achievements, describing the Seme Command as “home.”
He thanked senior and junior officers, sister agencies and media partners for their support, urging them to extend the same goodwill to his successor.
The ceremony also celebrated Deputy Comptroller Edime, who retired after decades of service. Speakers commended him for “finishing well,” noting that retirement marks a new beginning rather than an end.
Director of NAFDAC, Seme Command, Dr. Nurudeen Audu, encouraged retirees to remain active and explore entrepreneurship, adding that NAFDAC is ready to support retiring officers through post-service empowerment programmes. In response, Comptroller Adenuga announced that the Command would soon organise an entrepreneurship lecture for officers nearing retirement.
A visibly fulfilled Edime thanked God for his career and good health, saying he was proud of his contributions to the Service.
“I have no regrets,” he said. “I will use the time on my hands to do useful things.”
The event highlighted the strong inter-agency collaboration and goodwill built during Sulaiman’s tenure, even as he prepares to assume duties at the strategic Apapa Customs Command.
