KADUNA – December 18, 2025 – The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kaduna Area Command, held a significant send-forth ceremony on Thursday to honour Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) Ridwan Yusuf, its outgoing Command Public Relations Officer (PRO). The event marked his strategic redeployment to the Public Relations Unit at the NCS National Headquarters in Abuja—a move widely seen as a career advancement and recognition of exceptional performance.
In his farewell address, the Customs Area Comptroller for Kaduna, Comptroller Sa’ad Hassana, painted a vivid portrait of Yusuf as a cornerstone of the command’s public engagement strategy. He described him as a “dependable, innovative, and stress-free officer” whose work fundamentally shaped the command’s image and community relations.
“Ridwan possesses a rare blend of problem-solving acumen and professional calm,” Hassana stated. “He doesn’t just execute tasks; he refines and elevates them to ensure strategic objectives are met. In the complex landscape of customs operations—where public perception is critical—his ability to navigate challenges and ‘guide you through the potholes until you reach the end of the tunnel’ has been invaluable.”
The Comptroller explicitly linked Yusuf’s transfer to his outstanding record, noting that his “traces”—referring to his documented achievements and initiatives—caught the attention of the service’s top leadership in Abuja. This highlights a key career path within the NCS: exemplary performance at the zonal or area command level is a direct pipeline for recruitment into the national strategic core.
Hassana urged Yusuf to replicate his Kaduna success at the headquarters, predicting that his energy and skill would soon attract greater responsibilities. He also framed Yusuf’s departure as a teaching moment for the command, challenging remaining officers to emulate his work ethic to bridge the evident gap. “You should see him as a role model. Copy his skills… he has created a standard we must collectively strive to maintain,” Hassana advised.
The sentiment was echoed by other senior officers. Comptroller Amwe Aku, in charge of Administration, credited Yusuf’s creativity and commitment as the driving force behind the command’s events, banners, and visual communications—the tangible outputs of modern public relations. Comptroller Abubakar Alkali of Zone B Headquarters provided crucial career context, advising Yusuf to view the posting not as a routine transfer but as a “defining opportunity.”
“Exposure at the headquarters is a known catalyst for career progression within the NCS,” Alkali explained. “It places an officer at the nerve centre of policy and national strategy, offering visibility and experience that are essential for future leadership roles. My advice is to remain focused, principled, and consistent. The system naturally discovers and rewards diligent value-addition.”
In his emotional response, CSC Ridwan Yusuf expressed profound gratitude for the mentorship and collaborative environment he experienced in Kaduna. He specifically thanked Comptroller Hassana for his “exemplary leadership, unwavering support, and fatherly guidance,” quoting leadership expert John C. Maxwell: “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. You have truly shown the way.”
“As I take my leave following this redeployment, I carry with me fond memories and invaluable lessons,” Yusuf said. He pledged to uphold the values of professionalism and excellence learned in Kaduna as he transitions to his new role at the NCS Headquarters, where his skills will now influence the service’s national communications strategy.
The well-attended ceremony, which included the command’s management team and personnel, underscores the importance the NCS places on recognizing talent and formally marking career transitions—a practice that boosts morale and reinforces institutional values. (NAN)
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
