The Controller of the Federal Operations Unit FOU, zone C, Owerri, of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Bashir Balogun has urged the 67 newly promoted officers of the Unit to strictly uphold the core values of the Service comprising integrity, transparency, and professionalism.

Speaking in Owerri, the Imo State capital at the official decoration of the promoted 67 officers, the Comptroller also urged the officers to see their promotion as a reward for diligence, hard work and excellent service to the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian nation as a whole, arguing that promotion is a privilege.

A breakdown of the 67 promoted officers shows that three officers were elevated from the rank of Assistant Comptroller to Deputy Comptroller while one officer was elevated to the rank of Assistant Comptroller from the former rank of Chief Superintendent of Customs.

Similarly, four officers were elevated from the rank of Superintendent to Chief Superintendent while seven others were promoted to the rank of Superintendent from the former rank of Deputy Superintendent of Customs.  

Other details show that 15 officers were promoted from the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Customs 1 to Deputy Superintendent while 17 others were elevated to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Customs 1 from Assistant Superintendent ii, even as 18 officers were promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Customs ii from Inspector of Customs, just as two officers were promoted from the rank of Assistant Inspector of Customs to Inspector of Customs, bringing to a total of 67.

The Comptroller, who also reminded the promoted the officers that their promotions come with higher responsibilities and expectations, added that the Unit remains a critical arm of the Service, and the nation expects it to continue to strengthen anti-smuggling operations, revenue recovery, and trade facilitation.

He thanked the Comptroller General of the Service, Adewale Adeniyi and the entire management for their support and direction as well as providing the required tools needed for the job.

While congratulating the promoted officers, Comptroller Balogun also enjoined those who didn’t get the promotion to be strong and prepare harder for next exercise.

“Today, we celebrate not just promotions, but dedication, discipline, and excellence in service to the Nigeria Customs Service and our great nation.

“Promotion in the Service is not a routine exercise; it is a reward for hard work, loyalty, and commitment to duty. It also comes with greater responsibilities and expectations. For those being decorated today, this recognition is a call to higher performance, integrity, and leadership.

“Let me remind you that with promotion comes higher responsibility. You must therefore uphold the core values of the Nigeria Customs Service-integrity, transparency, and professionalism. Let us also remember that this is both a celebration, and a rededication to duty. I encourage all promoted officers to wear their new ranks with pride, humility, and renewed commitment to the Service and to Nigeria.

“On behalf of the Comptroller General of Customs and Management of the Service, I congratulate the 67 of you who have been elevated to new ranks. I urge you to see this as both a privilege and a challenge. The Federal Operations Unit is a critical arm of the Service, and the nation expects us to continue strengthening anti-smuggling operations, revenue recovery, and trade facilitation”, Comptroller Balogun said.

I wish to thank the Comptroller General of Customs and the entire Management team for their continued support and for ensuring that hard work and merit are duly rewarded. I also appreciate the families, friends, and colleagues of the newly promoted officers, who see encouragement and sacrifices have contributed to today’s success.