Customs, NIPR forge alliance to strengthen professionalism, excellence in public relations practice
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), FCT chapter, have agreed to deepen collaboration in promoting professionalism, ethical standards, and strategic communication in public relations practice.
This was the outcome of a courtesy visit by the National Public Relations Officer (NPRO) of the NCS, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, to the NIPR FCT Secretariat in Abuja on 16 May 2025.
Maiwada, who led a delegation of officers from the Custom’s Public Relations unit, said the visit aimed at strengthening institutional partnerships and promoting knowledge sharing between the NCS and the professional PR body.
“We believe that excellence and professionalism should be the hallmark of our practice of Public Relations in the Nigeria Customs Service and beyond,” he said, adding that the PR Unit under his watch is driven by youthful energy, dedication, and the support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.
Stanley Ogadigo, Chairman of the NIPR FCT Chapter, who received the delegation, commended the Customs Service for its communication efforts, particularly under the leadership of the current Comptroller-General.
“We’re glad that the Comptroller-General of Customs has not disappointed us. He’s doing a great job and remains a shining example,” he said.
Ogadigo pledged the NIPR’s full support in promoting initiatives that would enhance public relations practice in the public sector. He highlighted plans for collaboration in capacity building, corporate social responsibility, and joint advocacy.
Discussions during the visit centred on possible training programmes, professional development opportunities, and initiatives to adapt public communication strategies to the rapidly evolving media landscape.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to fostering continuous learning and strengthening the credibility of government institutions through ethical and strategic public relations.
The meeting ended on a note of optimism, with the NCS and the NIPR FCT Chapter expressing readiness to pursue mutually beneficial initiatives to enhance public sector communication nationwide.
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NEMA deploys officials for community sensitisation nationwide
In a proactive move to mitigate the impact of anticipated floods during the 2025 rainy season, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has deployed teams across all states in the country to engage directly with communities identified as being at risk of flooding.
These teams will deliver critical early warning messages and disaster preparedness information at the grassroots level.
The Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, disclosed this in Abuja during a stakeholders’ engagement on the 2025 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on Flood Disaster and Related Hazards, held on Thursday.
Mrs. Zubaida Umar also urged State Governments to make adequate preparations and provide safer grounds for those who may be affected by the predicted floods this year.
She said, “Beyond today’s stakeholders’ engagement, NEMA is deploying teams to all states of the federation to engage with flood-prone communities. These teams will take early warning messages to the grassroots, with the support of State Emergency Management Agencies, Local Emergency Management Committees, and community volunteers.
“The NEMA Zonal Directorates and Operations Offices across the nation will simultaneously drive this engagement process at both the state and community levels, starting today, Thursday, May 15, 2025.
She emphasized the critical role of traditional institutions, religious organizations, women and youth groups, and the media in ensuring early warning messages reach vulnerable populations.
“As we always emphasize at NEMA, disaster management is everyone’s business. We must work together to deliver early warning messages to the appropriate groups to protect communities at risk, safeguard critical infrastructure, and ensure uninterrupted socio-economic activities across the nation.
“It is my hope that today’s event will contribute significantly to reducing the impact of recurring floods and safeguarding the livelihoods of our people.
“This is the path to driving socio-economic growth in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.”
She also noted that lessons from 2024 are being applied in 2025, though challenges remain, particularly in coordination at the state and local emergency response levels.
“It is a common notion that whenever there’s a disaster, everyone expects NEMA to be the first responder. That should not be the case. All disasters are local. Communities must be empowered to take charge.
“States must take responsibility and not wait for NEMA to intervene. We’ve produced vulnerability maps for all at-risk communities to guide governments in implementing risk reduction measures.
On his part, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, commended NEMA for its proactive efforts and affirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to timely disaster management.
Speaking earlier, the Director of Disaster Risk Reduction, NEMA, Dr Idris Mohammed, stated that floods and other hydrometeorological hazards continue to pose significant threats to Nigeria’s economic, social, and environmental well-being.
He emphasized the need for stakeholders to collaborate on strategies for mitigating disaster risks.
“Our goal is to build a roadmap for risk reduction and national resilience,” he said
Also speaking, Assistant Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Hammed Abodunrin, emphasized the importance of proactive disaster prevention and community engagement, particularly among students.
He suggested integrating community service, such as environmental sanitation, into academic programmes and certificates, noting that this could significantly contribute to disaster reduction, including flooding.