ZAINAB JUNAID
The primary objective of my visit was to gain a comprehensive understanding of what the Command’s responsibilities is all about, irrespective of attitudes or body languages encountered in the process which I believed was norms in some Customs Area Commands but was astounded with the pleasant and warmth reception received as soon as I walked through the security gate of the Nigeria Customs Service, Lagos Industrial Area Command, Festac, to the reception, down to the Public Relations Officer then to the Area Controller of the Command.
As I walked through the walkway down to the PRO Unit, observing, I kept asking myself- are these people pre- informed that special visitor from the media is coming for a working visit or is this their normal routine of valuing empathy and treating visitors especially their stakeholders whenever they come visit. This among other questions kept boggling my mind as I walked pass them with the Madam Good Morning Greetings here and there unlike the give way keep moving norms.
Meeting the Public Relations Officer of the Command, in her elegant Uniform, Superintendent of Customs, SC JD Tomo, presented herself as a Public Relations Specialist always ready to forge relationships with relevant visitors in the interest of the Command and ready to contribute her quota in taking the Command to the next level.
SC Tomo did not limit her PR work to building connections on behalf of the Command, she has used her niche to carve out an office for herself, a move that was achieved with the full support of the management of the Command.
Though, the PR Unit is yet to be fully equipped as observed in other Area Commands, it is conducive and has good space for one to deliver and achieve set targets.
Besides, a working environment with the characteristics of good relationship with colleagues both Senior and Junior; accountability; recognition of efforts, given room for work life balance among others; SC Tomo has no cause to worry because in no time her handwork will be valued and recognized by necessary management involved.
The PR who assumed duty officially on February 15, 2024 at Lagos Industrial Area Command narrated how she encountered same experience at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, carving out an office in the absence of none before moving to the present Command.
“When I was first posted to MMIA Command October 2022, I had to temporarily managed in another unit (Staff Office) before I resolved to creating a PR Unit. Ab initio, it seems like a huge task but with time, creating the PR Office at MMIA was worth it. However, on getting here and realizing the experience of not having where to stay is almost same as MMIA, I did not waste time at all, called necessary people needed to ensure things are kept in place especially to accommodate our relevant Stakeholders who will come visiting. I believe with more assistance by management, this place will be fully equipped,” she hoped.
Meanwhile, my encounter with Comptroller Nsikan Umoh, Customs Area Controller of the Lagos Industrial Command, a woman of virtue, mother worthy of the post she is holding, was far more superb than that experienced with her officers. Planned to spend about 30 minutes with her, ends up spending an hour, overall I spent three hours at the Command.
The Area Controller, who in her busy schedule, took time, extended warmth reception with full download of her experience in Nigeria Customs Service and as the Area Controller of the NCS Lagos Industrial Area Command, was polite, firm and skilled in her engagement with me, not minding her status.
Who says women are not worthy of recognition? The motherly advice aspect impressed me the most which she concluded with “you want Nigeria to Change for good then it begins with you, it begins with me.”
Comptroller Nsikan, aspires positivity for factories that have formed allies with the Command, those in their early stage of development, and also for Officers of the Command in her discussion.
Saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the activities of the Command especially in area of excise duty, She urged active Stakeholders to continue complying with status quo and hope for the best.
My experience with her reminds me of the saying “If you think Customs is a job for the boys, then think again.”
