Farewell with Honour: Seme Customs Bids Emotional Goodbye to PRO Sulaiman, Celebrates Scanning Chief’s Retirement

The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Tuesday staged a surprise send-forth ceremony for its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) Isah Sulaiman, who has been redeployed to the Apapa Area Command.

The event, held at the Officers’ Mess, also doubled as a retirement celebration for the Head of the Scanning Unit, Deputy Comptroller Audu Edime.

What began as a routine gathering quickly transformed into an outpouring of tributes, nostalgia and camaraderie, as officers, sister security agencies and media practitioners honoured Sulaiman for his professionalism, humility and unwavering dedication to service.

Sulaiman, who assumed duty as the Command’s spokesperson on February 7, 2025, was celebrated for what many described as a transformative tenure. Senior officers representing security agencies along the Lagos–Seme corridor hailed him as “an image maker par excellence”, noting that his approach to inter-agency relations was rooted in mutual respect, integrity and ethical conduct.

They recalled how his dynamic communication style strengthened cooperation across agencies and became a unifying force for stakeholders. His coordination skills, passion for duty and warm personality, they said, would remain memorable long after his redeployment.

Customs Area Controller (CAC), Seme Command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, offered one of the most heartfelt tributes of the day, praising Sulaiman as one of the finest spokespersons in the entire Service and a major pillar of support in the Command’s operations.

“I will truly miss you. You made my job easier, and I have enjoyed working with you”, Adenuga said.

“He should have left for Apapa earlier, but I insisted he remain so I could stabilise. If I had my way, I would cancel his transfer”.

Adenuga also acknowledged the collective support of officers, sister agencies and the media, adding that such synergy was instrumental in the Command’s improved revenue performance and operational efficiency.

Journalists described Sulaiman as a “journalist’s delight”—accessible, responsive and deeply professional. Media representatives pledged to sustain the strong working relationship as he moves to the strategic Apapa Command, a posting considered one of the most demanding within the Service.

Visibly moved, Sulaiman expressed deep gratitude for the celebration, noting that it was the first time he was honoured so openly before stakeholders. He credited Adenuga’s leadership for providing the foundation that enabled him excel, describing the Seme Command as “home”.

“I am humbled”, he said. “Everything I was able to achieve here was because of the support I received. Please extend the same goodwill to my successor”.

The ceremony also celebrated Edime, who bowed out of service after several decades of distinguished work. Speakers praised him for “finishing well”, stressing that retirement marks the beginning of new opportunities rather than an end.

Director of NAFDAC, Seme Command, Dr. Nurudeen Audu, encouraged retirees to remain active and explore entrepreneurial ventures, noting that NAFDAC is ready to support post-service empowerment initiatives. In response, Adenuga announced that the Command would soon host an entrepreneurship lecture for officers nearing retirement.

A fulfiled Edime thanked God for a successful career and sound health, adding, “I have no regrets. I will use the time on my hands to do useful things”.

By the end of the ceremony, it was clear that the event had done more than honour two officers—it showcased the strong inter-agency collaboration, esprit de corps and goodwill cultivated under Sulaiman’s tenure.

As he prepares to assume duties at the Apapa Customs Command, he leaves behind a legacy of service, professionalism and unity.