CGC Adeniyi Bags Presidential Award for Outstanding Revenue Collection

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has on Saturday, 6 July 2024, received Presidential Award for “Outstanding Revenue Collection” at the Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service (NEAPS) from His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

This was contained in a press statement signed by Abdullahi Maiwada, for the CGC on Sunday.

According to him, the award which was presented to the Comptroller General during a ceremony at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, recognised his significant achievements in revenue generation since his appointment as Comptroller-General of Customs in June 2023.

The Vice President, who represented the President of Nigeria, emphasised that the awards were about embedding a culture of recognition and reward in the public service ethos. He conveyed the president’s message that public institutions are not personal enterprises and that public servants are employees of the Nigerian people.

While fielding questions from journalists after receiving the award, CGC Adeniyi, a delighted recipient, affirmed his commitment to advancing Nigeria’s economy through revenue collection and trade facilitation. He thanked the president, the SGF, and NEAPS for the recognition, saying “This national recognition is a challenge for the Service to double its efforts in making this country proud. It motivates public officials to dedicate themselves and perform diligently in office.”

Earlier, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, urged the award recipients to continue their exemplary work, emphasizing that the selected individuals and organisations were chosen based on objective criteria from both the public and private sectors.

In his welcome address, Sen. Akume commended the organizers- the Best Strategic (TBS) Media and all participants for being part of the success story.

“I welcome you all to the second edition of NEAPS, the first edition was held in October 2023 at the exact location. I commend The Best Strategic (TBS) Media for organising the event in collaboration with the OSGF. NEAPS is an award recognising innovation, leadership, and significant contributions to public service and the nation’s development,” he said.

Among the 44 recipients of the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President) Senator Ibrahim Hadejia. Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and  Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu State were recognised for their sector-specific interventions.

Other honorees included FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso, President of Dangote Group Alhaji Aliko Dangote, former SGF Boss Mustapha, and Founder/Chairman of Zenith Bank Chief Jim Ovia.

NEAPS is an annual recognition program organised in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), celebrating individuals who have made exceptional contributions to public service within the preceding year.