The Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, has disclosed the service will engage retired management staff in order to tap into the wealth of experience held by retired professionals in policy formulation and trade facilitation, as the organization strives for efficiency.
Adeniyi revealed this in Abuja at weekend during the maiden Reunion of retired and serving of management members of the Nigeria Customs Service, dubbed, ‘Our Customs Heroes’.
He said, “The inspiration behind this reunion is rooted in the recognition of the invaluable wealth of experience, wisdom, and dedication that each of you contributed during your illustrious service in the NCS.
“This reunion is our way of re-establishing and strengthening those roots that connect the past, present, and future of the Nigeria Customs Service.
“As we bring together different generations of Management Staff, we acknowledge the tremendous wealth of knowledge that resides within this room and the untapped resource that retired officers represent.”
The Comptroller-General pointed out the need to bridge the past and current generations of officers, noting that the practice was well rooted in some frontline organizations in the country, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Nigeria Breweries, and General Electric.
“The importance of this connection is evident in various successful organizations that have harnessed the wealth of experience from their retirees,” he said.
Adeniyi noted that some of the mentioned organizations retained pools of experienced retirees as consultants.
The CG said, “These diverse instances underscore the transformative power of tapping into the wealth of experience held by retired professionals.
“Their insights, cultivated through years of hands-on involvement, strategic decision-making, and problem-solving, have consistently proven invaluable.
“In various organizations, these retirees have not only preserved institutional knowledge but have also played a pivotal role in guiding institutions toward innovation and sustainable growth.
“By drawing parallels with these successful practices, the NCS stands to gain significantly. Applying similar principles in Customs-specific cases, particularly in areas like policy formulation, trade facilitation, and procedural enhancements, can pave the way for a more agile, informed, and forward-thinking customs operation.
“This exchange of insights can propel the NCS toward greater efficiency, enhanced regulatory compliance, and ultimately, contribute to the broader economic development goals of the nation.”
