From left: CG Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi displays the award plaque while Vice President Kashim Shettima looks on.

The Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, Saturday, July 6, 2024 received Federal Government’s Excellence Award for “Outstanding Revenue Collection” at the Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service NEAPS.

The award was bestowed on CGC Adeniyi during a ceremony at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, recognising his significant achievements in revenue generation since his appointment as Comptroller-General of Customs in June 2023.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu, 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.

Speaking in an interview shortly after receiving the award, CGC Adeniyi expressed delight and affirmed his commitment to advancing Nigeria’s economy through revenue collection and trade facilitation. He thanked the president, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Senator George Akume and NEAPS for the recognition, stating, “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 SGF urged the award recipients to continue their exemplary work. He emphasised that the selected individuals and organisations were chosen based on objective criteria from both the public and private sectors.

Akume welcomed attendees to the second edition of NEAPS, mentioning that the first edition was held in October 2024 at the exact location. He praised The Best Strategic (TBS) Media for organising the event in collaboration with the OSGF. He highlighted NEAPS as an award recognising innovation, leadership, and significant contributions to public service and the nation’s development.

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, Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, 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 honourees 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, among several others.

NEAPS is an annual recognition programme 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.