The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has brought together academics, communication professionals and students at its Public Relations Conference in Port Harcourt, with a focus on strengthening the link between classroom knowledge and real-world practice.
The interactive session featured students and scholars from Rivers State University, the University of Port Harcourt, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education and Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic.
The panel included Chief Superintendent of Customs, Luqman Abdullahi-Lagos, and Assistant Superintendent of Customs I, Folusho Adeogun, while the session was moderated by Amina Yuguda, Head of Station, Nigeria Customs Service Broadcasting Network.
The discussions centred on practical career development, with participants advocating the adoption of simulations and role-playing exercises to equip aspiring public relations practitioners with the skills required to address contemporary communication challenges.
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Speaking at the conference, the National Public Relations Officer and Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, stressed the importance of mentorship in developing future leaders and maintaining public trust in institutions.
Maiwada urged students and young officers to embrace character, competence, clarity, consistency and cost-consciousness as essential qualities for professional growth.
“Effective public relations must go beyond simply sharing information; it should also focus on mentoring future leaders who demonstrate character, competence and clarity,” he said.
The conference also featured practical sessions in which senior Customs officers examined ongoing reforms as case studies in strategic communication.
Assistant Superintendent of Customs I, Usman Idris, explained how stakeholder engagement and media outreach supported the implementation of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System.
Another officer, ASCI Joseph Adejoh, discussed the importance of transparency and early stakeholder engagement in implementing the Advanced Ruling System and the One-Stop Shop initiative.
The NCS Headquarters Social Media Team also trained participants on digital communication, audience data analysis and proactive management of online reputation.
The organisers said the conference was designed to promote mentorship and develop a flexible and future-ready public relations workforce capable of improving public confidence and supporting institutional reforms.
