The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is currently holding a PR Week for it’s image makers with the view to equip them with latest skills in strategic communication and trust building.
The Week-long workshop with the theme: Beyond Masters of Ceremonies: The Strategic Role of Public Relations Officers for Institutional Growth and Stakeholders’ Trust, is holding at the Centre of Excellence, Bayero University, New Campus Kano.
The Controller General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi who was represented by Deputy Comptroller-General Timi Bomode, that effective communication must become the backbone of the Service’s relationship with citizens.
He added that Customs’ role extends beyond revenue collections and as such, the public relations officers must manage actively digital narratives, counter misinformation and professionally the public, projecting transparency and fostering public confidence.
Furthermore, Adeniyi revealed that the Service is undergoing reforms, including modernization of operations and automation of processes, which can only succeed if trust is built through consistent and credible communication.
During the opening ceremony on Monday Professor Abdallah Uba Adamu, warned participants that in today’s world, “reputation can be shaped faster than any press release.” He urged government agencies to harness digital tools and artificial intelligence to proactively “anticipate, shape, and manage narratives in real time.
The workshop has been described as a strategic investment aimed at equipping officers with the skills to navigate both traditional and digital media landscapes effectively.