Korean Ambassador reaffirms commitment to support NCS Modernization, as Embassy Hosts Dinner in Honour of CGC Adeniyi

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea has reaffirmed commitment to support the growth and modernization of the Nigeria Customs Service and capacity building efforts.

Kim Pankym, Korean Ambassador gave the assurance at a dinner hosted in honour of the Comptroller General of Customs, CGC Adewale Adeniyi and members of his management team on Thursday, 31 October 2024, at the Embassy in Abuja.

Pankym commended the CGC and his team for their dedication and expressed optimism about continued collaboration, saying “We are honoured by the Comptroller-General’s presence here tonight, and we look forward to further strengthening ties with the Nigeria Customs Service”. He emphasised the Embassy’s commitment to supporting the growth and modernisation of the NCS.

While speaking, CGC Adeniyi who was accompanied by senior officers including Deputy Comptroller-General (DCG) of Human Resource Development, Greg Itotoh, DCG of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, and DCG of ICT-Modernisation, Kikelomo Adeola, expressed his appreciation for Korea’s commitment to partnership.

He highlighted the progress achieved through collaboration with the Embassy of Korea and other allied agencies, noting how these relationships have enhanced the NCS’s capacity to adopt advanced technologies.

“It is due to our dedicated partnerships that the NCS is now engaged in data analytics programmes, in alignment with World Customs Organization standards,” CGC Adeniyi stated.

He elaborated on how the analytics enabled the Service to make informed decisions, benefiting from predictive, descriptive, and prescriptive insights, adding “Learning from global leaders, like Korean Customs, has empowered us to adapt and refine our data-driven strategies”.

Also speaking, DCG Greg Itoto expressed the Service’s appreciation for Korea’s proactive engagement with NCS initiatives.

“The Embassy’s support and willingness to partner with us are instrumental in driving our Service to greater heights. We look forward to continued growth through these collaborations,” Itotoh stated.

The event underscored the strengthening of bilateral relations and the shared objectives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Korean authorities; it also reflected the deepening relations between the two nations and affirmed Korea’s dedication to Nigeria’s customs modernisation and capacity-building efforts.