By Bon Peters
PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Zone C, has celebrated the retirement of Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Pascal Chibuoke and five other senior officers, recognising their decades of service and contributions to the institution.
The retirees were honoured at a send-forth ceremony held at the Zone C Zonal Headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday, October 15, 2026, after completing 35 years of service to the nation.
The event, themed “Celebrating Distinguished Service, Honouring Legacy, Inspiring Continuity,” brought together serving customs officers, representatives of sister security agencies, maritime stakeholders and other dignitaries to acknowledge the retirees’ careers and contributions to institutional development.
According to a statement issued by the Zonal Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs Aondoakura Herbert Dzungwenen, and made available to the media on Friday, October 16, the ceremony highlighted the importance of professional commitment, leadership and mentorship in sustaining the Service.
In her welcome address, the Customs Area Controller, Port Harcourt Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, Ph.D., described the occasion as an opportunity to appreciate officers who had devoted a significant part of their lives to public service.
She singled out Chibuoke for his contributions, particularly during his tenure as Zonal Coordinator of Zone C, commending his leadership, sense of responsibility and commitment to duty.
Atuluku urged the retirees to remain available to guide younger officers and serve as worthy ambassadors of the Service. She also wished them fulfilling and rewarding years in retirement.
In a goodwill message, the Comptroller of Administration at Zone C Headquarters, Grace Edebeatu, congratulated the six officers on completing their careers, noting that their contributions extended beyond customs enforcement and border protection to include institutional growth, effective leadership and the development of younger personnel.
She encouraged serving officers to uphold discipline, integrity, professionalism and dedication, stressing that retirement should not mark the end of meaningful contributions to society.
According to her, the experience accumulated during years of service could be transferred to younger generations through mentorship and guidance.
The six retirees are ACG Pascal Chibuoke, Comptroller Adeyinka Favour Bodunde, Comptroller Blessing Ihenacho, Comptroller Bishir Abdullahi Balogun, Comptroller Oluremi Mobolaji Omisore and Comptroller Judith Kanu.
Delivering his valedictory remarks through Chief Superintendent of Customs Kurutsi Obadiah, Chibuoke expressed gratitude to God for the strength, wisdom and opportunity to serve Nigeria through the Customs Service.
He described his career as a journey marked by challenges, lessons, achievements and valuable professional relationships.
The retired ACG also acknowledged the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, Ph.D., members of the Service’s management team, and his colleagues and subordinates for their support, cooperation and encouragement throughout his years in service.
Reflecting on his retirement, Chibuoke urged serving officers to maintain high standards of discipline, integrity, professionalism and commitment to their responsibilities. He also prayed for the continued growth of the Nigeria Customs Service and the progress of the country.
In her closing remarks, Deputy Comptroller Chinwe Onyesoro commended the retirees for their sacrifices, leadership and contributions to the Service.
She also thanked the organisers and stakeholders whose participation, she said, demonstrated the cordial relationship between the Customs Service and its partners.
Onyesoro encouraged the retirees to remain engaged in their communities by sharing their knowledge and experience through counselling and mentorship. She reminded serving officers that although official appointments eventually end, the influence of integrity and exemplary leadership can endure beyond retirement.
The ceremony featured goodwill messages and prayers for the retirees’ continued good health, peace of mind, family happiness, prosperity and fulfilment in their new phase of life.
The Zone C command reaffirmed its appreciation for the six officers, expressing confidence that their experience and professional knowledge would continue to benefit the Service and the nation.
The ceremony concluded with a call on serving personnel to preserve the values of discipline, integrity, professionalism and dedication to national development.
