By Victoria Onehi
The Controller-General,Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, at 12 noon on Friday, joined Chairman of UBA Group, Mr Tony Elumelu in observing a solemn one-minute silence in honour of the lives lost during the tragic Afritower fire incident in Lagos.
This joint act of remembrance took place during the visit of the Controller General, Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, to the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, at the Service Headquarters in Abuja. The visit, the CGF’s second official visit to the NCS, was aimed at deepening collaboration between the two critical agencies in safeguarding lives, property, and national assets.
The meeting began with the CGF expressing appreciation to the Nigeria Customs Service for its longstanding support to the Federal Fire Service, particularly in facilitating duty-free importation of firefighting equipment, trucks, and safety gadgets. He lauded the NCS as the highest revenue-generating service in the non-oil sector and a true pillar of the nation.
In his remarks, the CGF reaffirmed the Federal Fire Service’s mandate to save lives and property, render humanitarian services, and build strong partnerships across government institutions. He noted that the visit was designed to close a 15-year vacuum and strengthen inter-agency collaboration, especially in emergency response and public safety.
In a statement signed by National PRO/ Head, Corporate Services,Federal Fire Service, DCF Paul Abraham,the CGF highlighted the need for operational support such as fire trucks, water tenders, utility vehicles, and rapid-response equipment to reduce loss of lives during fire incidents. He also proposed FFS collaboration in conducting safety audits of Customs facilities, deploying fire officers to man Customs buildings at no cost, and training Customs personnel and their families on fire safety.
Responding, the Comptroller-General of Customs warmly welcomed the FFS delegation and congratulated the CGF on his leadership. He commended the Service for its gender-inclusive policies and reiterated Customs’ commitment to work closely with the Federal Fire Service. He described the FFS as a critical agency of government whose role complements the President’s agenda on safety and emergency preparedness.
The Customs Comptroller-General pledged to continue facilitating duty-free importation of firefighting equipment and expressed readiness to support the FFS with operational and utility vehicles within available resources. He further announced plans to consult the FFS on integrating fire safety training into Customs’ curriculum, conduct joint regular exercises, and review safety protocols particularly in the wake of the Afritower fire incident.
Both leaders agreed to formalise their cooperation through a standard Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and to jointly undertake safety audits of critical infrastructure, including smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, and alarm installations in Customs’ buildings.
The Comptroller-General also encouraged the FFS to extend similar courtesy visits to other key agencies such as the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), National Communications Commission (NCC), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to foster a whole-of-government approach to public safety.
