… Affirms the critical role of education in nation’s development
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi on Thursday emphasised the importance of quality education as a top priority of the Customs Service, stressing that management will continue to invest in it, as it plays a critical role in the nation’s development.
The CGC stated this in Abuja, on 26 September 2024, reaffirming the Service’s unwavering commitment to investment in education, particularly, into the Service’s schools nationwide, while presiding as Chairman, on the occasion of the official launch of the book ‘Business Geek: Innovative Incubator From Concept to Reality’.
The book was authored by the wife of one of the high-ranking officers of NCS, Asma’u Isah Maibasirah, and launched at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja.
In his address, CGC Adeniyi affirmed the critical role of education in the nation’s development, hence the commitment to building and renovating the Service’s primary and secondary schools, in the various states.
He highlighted the importance of ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has access to an excellent educational experience; and assured that the Nigeria Customs Service will continue to deploy resources to address this issue.
Speaking on the book, the Comptroller-General pointed out that it offers valuable insights into entrepreneurship and innovation, which are critical for addressing the country’s unemployment challenges.
“There must be something in this book that we must pay serious attention to”, he said, adding: “It is a very timely intervention because we have a high unemployment rate, especially among the youth, and I believe this is the time we must all grab this book.
“The Business Geek book, authored by Asma’u, aims to foster a culture of creativity and business acumen among Nigerians, particularly the youth, by providing practical guidance on transforming innovative concepts into viable enterprises.”
He commended the author’s initiative and noted that the book aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda of empowering small-scale businesses to revitalise the economy.
CGC Adeniyi, however, pledged the support of the Nigeria Customs Service in collaborating with the author to ensure the book reaches a wider audience, adding, “We are committed to supporting the author in providing adequate printed copies whenever the need arises.”
In his review of the book, Professor Muhammad Aliyu Paiko, Vice-Chancellor of Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna, Niger State, described the publication as insightful and robust research material for intellectuals and students alike.
He lauded the author for her thorough research and compelling presentation of ideas relevant to academic and professional audiences.
Addressing the gathering, the author of the book, Dr Maibasirah, expressed her profound gratitude to Mrs Kikelomo Adewale Adeniyi, who represented the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her unwavering support towards the success of the publication.
Dr Maibasirah acknowledged the critical role the First Lady played in providing encouragement and assistance that ensured the book’s successful launch.
She also appreciated the Comptroller-General and his team for their immense support, which she noted had a positive impact on the entire process of publishing and launching the book.
Additionally, she extended her sincere thanks to the former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, who served as the Chief Launcher at the ceremony, and other distinguished guests for their presence and contributions to the event.
According to her, the Business Geek book contributes to the discourse on entrepreneurship and highlights efforts to promote small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as a pathway to economic prosperity.
The event drew participants from various sectors and served as a platform for discussing strategies for enhancing entrepreneurial skills and leveraging innovative solutions for national development.
