Customs CG Challenges Media On Reporting 

Hyacinth Chinweuba

The Comptroller General of Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (RTD.), has advised journalists to consider national interest and economic stability of the country in the course of their duties.

Ali who said this at the Customs Training college ikeja Lagos during a one day seminar for Customs Correspondents, added that Nigeria being an import dependent economy requires requires knowledge, tact and patriotism in reporting.

Represented by the Assistant Comptroller General customs in Charge of Zone A, Mrs. Kaycee Ekekezie. In her words “journalists are regarded as very vital partners in the cause of nation building”

The seminar drew media practitioners as participants from various parts of the country cut across print, electronic and online publications.

Also participating at the one day event are representatives of Nigeria Police, Nigeria Immigration Service and other security outfits

In his opening remarks the  National Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Customs service, Deputy Comptroller, Joseph Attah, said, “This seminar is aimed to sharpen the knowledge of media correspondents covering the customs activities with a view to be properly and adequately informed”

“Customs correspondents should be adequately equipped with in depth knowledge of the agency they report”

“The need to avert any reportage that are likely to jeopardize the national security and economy of the nation”

Also speaking the President, African Public Relations, Mr. Yomi Badejo Okusanya, said, ” Public Relations in not Media Relations”

Okusanya said, “The millennium nature of Public Relations must be interactive and sharing”

“Public relations cannot be kept on lip service rather should be integral part of policy formation to achieve results” Media relations cannot be equated with Public relations. For an effective and efficiency management of customs operations there’s need for adequate synergies with media”

He stressed that for customs to achieve responsible reportage there must be robust relationship with the media correspondents