The Controller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to personnel welfare and community partnership with the commissioning of the Wale Adeniyi Sports Arena (WASA), a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative of the Western Marine Command.
Addressing officers, community leaders, youth representatives, and other stakeholders at the event, the CGC emphasized that the newly built facility must be actively utilized to promote physical fitness and mental well-being among personnel.
“This facility has been built for us — and it is meant to be used,” Adeniyi stated. “It is not a structure to be admired from a distance, but a space to be fully embraced and maximally utilized.”
He encouraged officers not only within the Western Marine Command but also those serving in PLT, Tincan, PTML, and Apapa Commands to take advantage of the arena, stressing that operational effectiveness depends on both professional competence and overall well-being.
“Our effectiveness as a Service depends not only on our professional competence but also on our physical strength and mental well-being,” he noted, describing the sports arena as an investment in resilience, discipline, and productivity.
The CGC also used the occasion to appreciate members of the host community, acknowledging that past misunderstandings had given way to improved dialogue and cooperation.
“There was a time when our relationship was challenged by misunderstandings and tensions. However, I am pleased to acknowledge that we have made significant progress,” he said, adding that trust and partnership had created the enabling environment for projects such as the sports arena to thrive.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Controller of Western Marine Command, Comptroller PN Ntadi, described the facility as more than just a recreational centre, but a symbol of purpose, discipline, and community engagement.
He noted that the arena was named in honour of Wale Adeniyi, former National Public Relations Officer of the Service, in recognition of his professionalism, grassroots engagement, and dedication to duty.
According to Ntadi, the WASA project reflects the Command’s belief that security goes beyond patrols and enforcement to include prevention through youth engagement and positive alternatives to crime.
“Sports teach discipline, teamwork, leadership, resilience, and respect for rules — the same values that guide us as officers of the Nigeria Customs Service,” he said. “By creating this arena, we are opening doors of opportunity for young people to channel their energy productively and build hope for a better tomorrow.”
He called on community leaders, parents, and youth groups to take ownership of the facility and ensure its proper utilization and maintenance.
The event, attended by senior Customs officers, representatives of sister security agencies, and members of the press, highlighted the Service’s growing emphasis on human development, youth empowerment, and sustainable peace through strategic community-focused initiatives.
With the commissioning of the Wale Adeniyi Sports Arena, the Nigeria Customs Service once again demonstrated that effective security management is anchored not only on enforcement, but also on partnership, prevention, and people-centered development.
