From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kwara Area Command, has pledged to deepen its collaboration with communities, security agencies and the manufacturing sector as part of efforts to promote youth development, economic growth and legitimate trade in the state.
The Acting Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Najeem Ogundeyi, made the commitment while participating 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
The grassroots Under-13 and Under-17 football competition was organised by the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON), Kwara State Branch, in partnership with the Nigeria Police Force, and featured male and female young footballers from across the state.
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The event, hosted by the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, attracted representatives of the state government and heads of security agencies.
Ogundeyi commended the police command and CP Ojo for sustaining the youth football competition through 17 editions, describing such initiatives as important platforms for engaging young people positively.
He said youth-oriented programmes could contribute to crime prevention, strengthen community security and foster unity and social development.
According to him, “Youth-focused initiatives provide constructive opportunities for young people while contributing to crime prevention, community security, unity and social development.”
The Acting Controller also assured stakeholders of the Customs Command’s willingness to support credible community initiatives capable of promoting peaceful coexistence, youth empowerment and a secure environment for economic activities.
In a related development, the Command on Thursday, September 3, 2026, joined other stakeholders at the 12th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Conference of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Kwara/Kogi States Branch, held at the association’s house on New Yidi Road, Ilorin.
The conference, themed “Unlocking Nigeria’s Industrial Potential Through an Efficient Power Value Chain,” brought together major stakeholders in the manufacturing sector, including MAN President, Otunba Francis Meshioye, and the association’s Director-General, Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir.
Representing the Acting Area Controller, Chief Superintendent of Customs Margaret Bassey Ita, Officer in Charge of the Command’s Excise Unit, delivered a goodwill message highlighting areas of cooperation between the Customs Service and manufacturers.
Ita said the NCS was implementing measures designed to facilitate legitimate trade and make customs procedures more efficient for businesses.
She highlighted the digitalisation of customs processes to speed up cargo clearance, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Scheme for compliant businesses, as well as recently approved import exemptions covering critical industrial materials and machinery.
She further stressed the need for sustained engagement between the NCS and MAN to identify and resolve operational challenges confronting manufacturers and legitimate businesses.
The Kwara Area Command said its participation in the two events reflected the Service’s broader approach of combining revenue collection and enforcement with community relations, inter-agency cooperation, trade facilitation and support for legitimate industrial activities.
The Command said it would continue to strengthen partnerships with relevant stakeholders and back initiatives capable of advancing security, economic development and legitimate trade in Kwara State and Nigeria.
