By Suleiman Aremu | Solaremnews | Sunday, 6 September 2026
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kwara Area Command, has reaffirmed its commitment to community development, youth empowerment, inter-agency collaboration, trade facilitation and industrial growth as part of efforts to promote security and economic development in the state.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Customs Sani Mohammed Suleiman, which said the commitment was demonstrated through the Command’s participation in two major engagements in Kwara State.
The Command participated in the grand finale of the 17th Edition of the Kwara State Commissioner of Police Cup and the 12th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Conference of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Kwara/Kogi States Branch.
The Acting Area Controller of Customs, Kwara Area Command, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Najeem Akanmu Ogundeyi, participated in the final of the youth football tournament held on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, at the Kwara Football Academy Field, George Innih Stadium, Ilorin.
The grassroots Under-13 and Under-17 football tournament was organised by the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON), Kwara State Branch, in partnership with the Nigeria Police Force, and featured young male and female athletes from across the state.
The event, hosted by the Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, CP Adekimi Ojo, was attended by representatives of the Kwara State Government and heads of security agencies in the state.
Speaking at the event, Ogundeyi commended CP Ojo and the Kwara State Police Command for sustaining the tournament for 17 consecutive editions.
He noted that youth-focused initiatives provide constructive opportunities for young people while contributing to crime prevention, community security, unity and social development.
The Acting Area Controller reaffirmed the Command’s readiness to support credible community initiatives that promote peaceful coexistence, youth development and a secure environment for economic activities.
In a related engagement, the Kwara Area Command represented the NCS at the 12th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Kwara/Kogi States Branch, held on Thursday, 3 September 2026, at the Association’s House, New Yidi Road, Ilorin.
The conference, themed “Unlocking Nigeria’s Industrial Potential Through an Efficient Power Value Chain,” attracted key stakeholders, including the President of MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye, and the Director-General of the Association, Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir.
Representing the Acting Area Controller at the conference, Chief Superintendent of Customs Margaret Bassey Ita, Officer in Charge of the Command’s Excise Unit, delivered a goodwill message highlighting areas of mutual interest between the NCS and the manufacturing sector.
Ita outlined some of the Service’s initiatives aimed at improving trade facilitation, including the digitalisation of customs processes to streamline cargo clearance, implementation of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Scheme to facilitate compliant businesses, and recently approved import exemptions for critical industrial materials and machinery.
She also emphasised the importance of continuous stakeholder engagement between the NCS and MAN in identifying and addressing operational challenges affecting manufacturers and legitimate trade.
According to the statement, the Command’s participation in the two engagements reflects the NCS’s broader commitment to balancing revenue collection and enforcement responsibilities with community relations, inter-agency cooperation, trade facilitation and support for legitimate industrial activities.
The Kwara Area Command said it would continue to strengthen partnerships with relevant stakeholders and support initiatives that contribute to security, economic development and the growth of legitimate trade in Kwara State and Nigeria at large.
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