*Adeniyi’s Customs and the Messi-Ronaldo Story*
Among football aficionados, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are unarguably the greatest soccer stars of our time. Over the last two decades, the duo has dazzled football lovers, winning everything the game has to offer—from personal awards to collective team honours.
Messi, often referred to as “The Little Magician,” boasts an extraordinary record. He has won the prestigious Ballon d’Or a record eight times, the most by any player in football history. His breathtaking dribbling skill and sheer goal-poaching talent have also earned him numerous Golden Boots as Europe’s top scorer.
Messi has claimed countless team honours, including 11 league titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, and four UEFA Champions League titles with FC Barcelona. His crowning glory came in 2022 when he led Argentina to World Cup victory, cementing his legacy as a national hero.
Ronaldo, popularly known as “CR7,” is no less a legend. He has clinched the Ballon d’Or five times and remains the all-time top scorer in the UEFA Champions League, a testament to his unmatched goal-scoring ability.
Ronaldo has won league titles in England, Spain, and Italy, a feat that highlights his versatility and adaptability. With Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, he has lifted numerous domestic and international trophies, including five Champions League titles.
On the international stage, Ronaldo guided Portugal to their first major triumphs—the 2016 UEFA European Championship and the 2019 Nations League. Beyond their individual brilliance, Messi and Ronaldo have redefined team success. Their extraordinary performances have often single-handedly carried their teams to victory.
Messi’s partnership with stars like Xavi and Iniesta at Barcelona brought an era of dominance in club football. Similarly, Ronaldo’s unstoppable form alongside players like Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema propelled Real Madrid to a historic three consecutive Champions League wins between 2016 and 2018.
In the realm of football greatness, Messi and Ronaldo stand tall, their rivalry shaping an unforgettable era for the sport. While their playing styles differ—Messi is a playmaker and dribbler, and Ronaldo is a physical, goal-scoring machine—their mutual respect and drive to outdo each other have pushed them to legendary heights.
For soccer fans worldwide, the Messi-Ronaldo era is not just about trophies and records; it is about witnessing a level of football excellence that may never be repeated. I will stop here. And won’t go further in elaborating on the aforementioned iconic football stars.
But I wish to point out that, like Messi and Ronaldo, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is also dazzling—albeit in a different arena. This law enforcement agency continues to shine, particularly in bagging awards and receiving honours for professionally discharging its core mandate.
Under the leadership of Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the NCS has received numerous merit awards from corporate institutions, the Nigerian government, and international organizations. These accolades reflect the agency’s dedication to excellence and its unwavering commitment to its duties.
Last Thursday, the NCS clinched the coveted ‘Best National Security Service in West, East, and Central Africa 2023/2024’ award at the 18th Africa Security Watch Conference in Doha, Qatar. This accolade recognizes the Service’s outstanding performance in fortifying Nigeria’s borders, enhancing trade facilitation, and curbing transnational crimes through innovative enforcement strategies and technological advancements.
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Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs, while speaking at the conference, again attracted global attention to the transformative role of the NCS in safeguarding Nigeria’s borders.
Represented by the National Public Relations Officer of the agency, Chief Superintendent of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, the CGC shared a comprehensive account of the Service’s achievements in balancing security enforcement with trade facilitation.
In his keynote address titled, “Protecting National Security Through Effective Border Control: The Nigeria Customs Example,” Adeniyi emphasised the vital role of border management in national security, describing borders as more than just geographical boundaries.
According to him, borders are critical gateways that determine a nation’s capacity to protect its citizens, safeguard its economy, and foster security. The CGC highlighted how the NCS, empowered by the Nigeria Customs Act 2023, has successfully redefined its operational priorities to address emerging threats, enhance efficiency, and improve collaboration.
Adeniyi noted that the Nigeria Customs Act 2023 represents a legislative milestone that has repositioned the NCS to thrive in a dynamic environment. He also reflected on the significant strides made in 2024, which marked a year of unparalleled achievements for the Service.
He said: “Under my leadership, the NCS generated a record-breaking ₦5.1 trillion in revenue, a feat that underscores the agency’s innovative use of technology and improved compliance frameworks. We have equally strengthened partnerships with both domestic and international stakeholders.
“This achievement was not merely about numbers but also reflected the efficiency and resilience of the Customs workforce.” Through intelligence-led operations, the NCS has intercepted several arms shipments, including 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition at Onne Seaport.
“These efforts have significantly disrupted the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, which remain a persistent threat to national security. Additionally, the NCS’s collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) led to many interceptions of illicit drugs,” CGC Adeniyi stated.
He also drew attention to the Service’s role in combating wildlife trafficking, detailing how officers intercepted 4,200 kilograms of pangolin scales and ivory, underscoring the NCS’s dedication to biodiversity conservation and international compliance.
In the fight against economic saboteurs involved in smuggling and diverting petroleum products, Adeniyi discussed the impact of Operation Whirlwind, highlighting how the Service, in collaboration with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), intercepted over 695,000 liters of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
The CGC revealed that the use of geospatial technologies, such as satellite feeds and geo-mapping, has enhanced the Service’s surveillance and enforcement capabilities, ensuring that these operations are not only effective but sustainable.
The honour received by the Nigeria Customs in Qatar underscores the agency’s remarkable transformation under CGC Bashir Adeniyi’s leadership. Beyond its traditional roles of law enforcement and revenue generation, the NCS has emerged as a vital institution in enhancing national security, facilitating trade, and driving economic growth.
With its embrace of cutting-edge technology and strategic collaborations, the NCS exemplifies a forward-thinking agency that sets benchmarks for others in the region. Like Messi and Ronaldo in football, the Nigeria Customs continues to dazzle in its arena, reinforcing its indispensability to Nigeria’s progress and global security efforts.
*Mahmud, Deputy Editor of PRNigeria, can be reached via: [email protected].*
