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By Victor Babayemi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kwara Area Command, has reaffirmed its commitment to community development, youth empowerment, inter-agency collaboration and industrial growth through its participation in two major events in Kwara State.
The Acting Area Controller, Kwara Area Command, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Najeem Ogundeyi, stated this when he participated in the grand finale of the 17th edition of the Kwara State Commissioner of Police Cup held at the Kwara Football Academy Field, George Innih Stadium, Ilorin on Tuesday, 1 September 2026
The grassroots Under-13 and Under-17 football tournament was organised by the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON), Kwara State Branch, in partnership with the Nigeria Police Force. It featured young male and female athletes from across the state and was hosted by the Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, Mr. Adekimi Ojo.
Ogundeyi commended the Kwara Police Command for sustaining the tournament over 17 consecutive editions, noting that youth-focused initiatives provide constructive opportunities for young people while contributing to crime prevention, community security, unity and social development.
He reaffirmed the Command’s readiness to support credible community initiatives that promote “peaceful coexistence”, youth development and a secure environment for economic activities.
In a related engagement, the Command, on Thursday, 3 September 2026, represented the NCS at the 12th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Kwara/Kogi States Branch, held at the Association’s House, New Yidi Road, Ilorin.
The conference, themed “Unlocking Nigeria’s Industrial Potential Through an Efficient Power Value Chain”, attracted key stakeholders, including the President of MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye, and the Director-General of the Association, Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir.
Representing the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) at the conference, Chief Superintendent of Customs Margaret Ita, Officer in Charge of the Command’s Excise Unit, delivered a goodwill message stressing areas of mutual interest between the NCS and the manufacturing sector.
She outlined some of the Service’s initiatives geared towards improving trade facilitation, including the digitalisation of customs processes to streamline cargo clearance, implementation of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Scheme to facilitate compliant businesses, and recently approved import exemptions for critical industrial materials and machinery.
She also emphasised the importance of continuous stakeholder engagement between the NCS and MAN in identifying and addressing operational challenges affecting manufacturers and legitimate trade.
The Kwara Area Command noted that its participation in the two engagements reflects the NCS’s broader commitment to balancing revenue collection and enforcement responsibilities with community relations, inter-agency cooperation, trade facilitation and support for legitimate industrial activities.
The Command added that it will continue to strengthen partnerships with relevant stakeholders and support initiatives that contribute to security, economic development and the growth of legitimate trade in Kwara State and Nigeria at large.
